Pray for rain. That's what Makana Municipal Spokesperson Mncedisi Boma has urged citizens to do as fears of drought grip the municipality.
Pray for rain. That's what Makana Municipal Spokesperson Mncedisi Boma has urged citizens to do as fears of drought grip the municipality.
Besides some precipitation on Thursday 17 October the area has been decidedly dry for weeks and dam levels around Grahamstown are very low.
On top of the technical problems facing the city's ageing water infrastructure, Boma said the lack of rain could result in serious shortages that will affect everyone.
While the municipality is currently working on fixing long-term water problems, Boma said, "Drought is coming, we need a strategy to address it."
On Monday 14 October Boma said the municipality will soon release a water schedule, which will explain when people can expect to have water in their areas.
He said the proposed water schedule had not yet been drawn up.
Things might not be as dire as the municipality predicts, however.
Eastern Cape weather services spokesperson Garth Sampson doesn't agree that drought is on the cards for Makana.
He said although now is the time that the area should be getting rain, it's just a bit late.
Sampson said between 2011 and 2012 the Grahamstown area "had a good rainfall compared to previous years".
"We will have summer rainfall later than expected this year and there is a strong possibility that it will be below average rainfall, but there is no drought prediction."
Boma argued that municipal water pumps are currently sucking sediment because dam levels are so low.
"We are appealing to those who can pray to assist us and pray for rain so that our dam levels can rise," Boma said.
"In the olden days people used to go to the mountain to pray for rain, and it worked, and the reality is that it is not only the technical problems that we face."
Boma also said their Bavumile project, in partnership with the Department of Water Affairs, has educated 86 local women about spreading the gospel of water conservation.
