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The dam levels in Makhanda West are at a critical level, despite the recent rain.  The Howiesonspoort dam level is at 29,3% and the Settlers dam at 7,6% (8/4/2019).  When the Settlers dam level is at 7,4% it will not be possible to extract water, however pumping from Howiesonspoort to Waainek Water Works will continue until those pumps start cavitating as well. Thereafter, the Waainek Water Works that is supplying water to Makhanda West would not be able to produce water for residents in the West.  It is anticipated that by end of April 2019, no water will be produced by Waainek.  The Municipality has put measures in place to curb water usage and to manage the scarce resource in the West.  This includes reducing water flow between the reservoirs in the West to ensure that residents receiving water from the High-Level reservoir and those receiving from the Intermediate and Low reservoirs, received water on a rotational basis for the past 6 weeks.  These measures could however not prevent water drying up in the dams as a result of the drought.  Numerous calls were made by the Municipality, urging residents to save water and reduce water usage to 50L per person to a maximum of 4 people in a household.  Despite the urgent call by the municipality water usage has not reduced and is currently standing on 200 to 220L per person.

The James Kleynhans Water Works is now producing at full capacity and it is possible to augment water supply to the reservoirs in the West, once Waainek cannot produce anymore water.  This will not address the water shortage that Makhanda is going to experience as James Kleynhans is producing 10 ML per day, whilst water usage in Makhanda is 18ML per day.  Water rationing will commence.  JoJo tanks will be put up in strategic areas and these tanks will be filed by water from the boreholes already drilled.  Residents would be able to get water from these JoJo tanks on the days that their area does not have water.

Issued by the Makana Communications Office.