A dam supplying water to thousands of residents in Limpopo could completely run dry should there be no rainfall by the end of August this year.
The City of Polokwane Municipality called an urgent briefing together with Lepelle Northern Water on Tuesday morning to discuss the implications of the drought crisis as water levels at the Flag Boshielo Dam continue to drop.
The announcement comes months after national government declared five provinces — including the North West‚ Limpopo and Mpumalanga — as drought disaster areas due to poor rainfall and harsh weather conditions.
The Department of Water and Sanitation recently sent out an urgent drought warning to municipalities‚ including Polokwane and the Sekhukhune District Municipality‚ regarding the dam.
Councillor Charles Molepo‚ who spoke as acting Polokwane executive mayor during the briefing‚ said the water level was at 27% by the time they received the notification from the department.
“The drought situation within the catchment area is so severe that the dam level is dropping at a fast rate and unless critical measures are put in place‚ supply will unfortunately discontinue to the detriment of the communities. The situation is that‚ should it not rain by August 2016‚ the dam will be totally dry‚” Molepo said.
He said the municipality would have to implement water restrictions while a plan will be put in place to prepare for future shortages.
Molepo urged members of the public to use water sparingly‚ adding that those found watering gardens and washing cars with hosepipes would be issued with spot fines.
“We also appeal to those who have boreholes to understand that they too have to use water sparingly because the municipality also depends on underground water tables to augment supply to other residents‚” he said.
Molepo said residents should pray that rain comes.
“Polokwane people be alert the danger is coming if God does not hear our prayers‚” he said.
– TMG Digital
Spot fines to be issued for hosepipe use in Polokwane as dam runs dry
A dam supplying water to thousands of residents in Limpopo could completely run dry should there be no rainfall by the end of August this year.
The City of Polokwane Municipality called an urgent briefing together with Lepelle Northern Water on Tuesday morning to discuss the implications of the drought crisis as water levels at the Flag Boshielo Dam continue to drop.
The announcement comes months after national government declared five provinces — including the North West‚ Limpopo and Mpumalanga — as drought disaster areas due to poor rainfall and harsh weather conditions.
The Department of Water and Sanitation recently sent out an urgent drought warning to municipalities‚ including Polokwane and the Sekhukhune District Municipality‚ regarding the dam.
Councillor Charles Molepo‚ who spoke as acting Polokwane executive mayor during the briefing‚ said the water level was at 27% by the time they received the notification from the department.
“The drought situation within the catchment area is so severe that the dam level is dropping at a fast rate and unless critical measures are put in place‚ supply will unfortunately discontinue to the detriment of the communities. The situation is that‚ should it not rain by August 2016‚ the dam will be totally dry‚” Molepo said.
He said the municipality would have to implement water restrictions while a plan will be put in place to prepare for future shortages.
Molepo urged members of the public to use water sparingly‚ adding that those found watering gardens and washing cars with hosepipes would be issued with spot fines.
“We also appeal to those who have boreholes to understand that they too have to use water sparingly because the municipality also depends on underground water tables to augment supply to other residents‚” he said.
Molepo said residents should pray that rain comes.
“Polokwane people be alert the danger is coming if God does not hear our prayers‚” he said.
– TMG Digital
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