By Joseph Chirume<\/p>\n
Qgeberha<\/p>\n
The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has sent a clarion call to residents appealing to them to use water sparingly as the dams that supply the Metro have reached critical levels, adding that the situation is being aggravated by the current drought.<\/p>\n
The Municipality also blames vandalism of water infrastructure further appealing to residents to desist from damaging infrastructure. It said damaged infrastructure drains its coffers by exacerbating water leakages through the tempered pipes.<\/p>\n
NMB draws some of its water from five dams that are all located in the Kouga Municipality area. The dams are Churchill, Impofu, Loerie, Kouga and Groendal. These dams have a combined current water storage of 40.29%.<\/p>\n
The Municipality then issued an advisory on how residents can assist in saving water urging them to take shorter showers, to fix leaks and turn taps off. The Metro also urged residents to reuse water where possible by watering gardens and cleaning chores with grey water and to limit watering lawns and washing cars.<\/p>\n
On the scourge of vandalism, NMB said, \u201cVandalism of water infrastructure doesn\u2019t just damage public property, it disrupts essential services that our communities rely on every day. Repairing damaged pipelines, valves, and other infrastructure can cost millions of rand, placing additional strain on already limited municipal resources. These funds could otherwise be used to upgrade systems, expand services, and implement new infrastructure projects that benefit residents across the metro.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen infrastructure is vandalised, the entire community is affected. Water supply can be interrupted, repairs take time, and development projects are delayed. Protecting public infrastructure is therefore a shared responsibility that requires the support and vigilance of every resident.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Municipality urged residents to immediately report if they notice any suspicious activity around water infrastructure.<\/p>\n