It is evident that residents are still responding to the call to save water as the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s demand is relatively low for similar hot periods in the past when the water consumption is normally at its highest, said Standing Committee Chairperson for Infrastructure, Engineering and Energy, Cllr Andile Mfunda.
Water demand is currently at an average of 250 megaliters per day as opposed to the 300 megaliters plus that it can reach during summer.
Mfunda’s statement is especially meaningful as the country is currently celebrating National Water Week, spearheaded by the Department of Water Affairs that will culminate in World Water Day on Monday, 12 March.
Cllr Mfunda thanked all citizens on behalf of the Municipality for their support in conserving water during the drought.
“As part of the drought, we focused on Water Conservation and Water Demand Management, boreholes, the Nooitgedaght Low Level Scheme (NLLS) and a desalination plant. These four key areas will remain important into the immediate future.
“The NLLS is progressing well and completion of Phase 1 is scheduled for October 2012 with Phase 2 schedule for completion in July 2013 depending on the availability of funds.”
“Desalination remains a long term intervention that the NMBM is pursuing to secure water for the future,” Mfunda added.
The ability of the NMBM to respond to water wastage is linked to the fact that all these incidents must be recorded at 0800 20 5050. Residents are therefore urged to continue reporting water and sanitation problems at this number.
According to Cllr Mfunda much improvement has been achieved in this area, but much more can be done to improve this situation and thereby improve service delivery.
“The NMBM is committed to conserve its water resources for the future and therefore call on its citizens to walk with us to achieve this goal for our future generations,” Mfunda added.
Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s well-known water conservation mascot, Thontsi, is still currently active to inform passersby of water saving tips as part of National Water Week.
