By Doreen Mokgolo
- Ekurhuleni warns top water-consuming factories to reduce usage or face shutoffs.
- The ‘Save Drop’ campaign aims to raise awareness among businesses and communities as water demand rises due to population growth and wastage.
Ekurhuleni has warned its biggest water-using factories to cut how much water they use or face stricter restrictions that could shut off their taps.
The warning comes after Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi announced level one water restrictions across the province last month following Rand Water’s crisis warning.
The city launched its “Save Drop” campaign at Mpact in Springs on Wednesday. The papermaker is among the metro’s top 10 water users, using 3-million litres daily.
Water MMC Thembi Msane said water shortages come from wastage and population growth.
“The rapid demand due to population growth and leakages of water in communities, as many individuals and businesses are using more water than necessary during this critical shortage.
“As the metro, we have taken a step by going around the city to make sure that there is more awareness by members of the communities and businesses. It is important for factories that use more water to be part of this campaign to avoid day zero which will affect businesses and people’s livelihoods,” she said.
But Mpact Mill manager Kabelo Ntshudisane said they can’t cut water use further.
“In 2016 we implemented a 20% water cut on freshwater usage to the level that we are at; we cannot afford to cut down any further as that will affect the whole process.”
Of the 3-million litres of water required, “at this current point we use… 10-million litres in recyclable water and have to rely on filtered water, and technology,” he said.
Current restrictions ban garden watering between 6am and 6pm.
Picture above: Ekurhuleni MMC for Water and Sanitation Thembi Msane.
Source: Doreen Mokgolo
