MUNICIPALITY THANKS PUBLIC FOR WATER SAVINGS
NEWS RELEASE
DATE : 14 APRIL 2010
MUNICIPALITY THANKS PUBLIC FOR WATER SAVINGS
The general public of Mossel Bay has responded very well to the appeal to save water and through their co-operation and support has made Mossel Bay one of the leading Municipalities in the Eden district with regard to water savings, says the Municipal Manager, Dr Michele Gratz.
In February 2010 the consumption was 48 per cent compared to February 2009, and in January 2010 it was 49,3 per cent compared to the corresponding month last year. In December 2009 the decrease was 41,4 per cent and in November 2009 it was 38,2 per cent. The decrease in October 2009 amounted to 25,2% and in September 2009, when the water restrictions began to show their effect, 19,4 percent less water was used.
“Although the water situation remains very serious and we cannot afford to rest on our laurels, the reaction of the public of Mossel Bay has been very positive and co-operative. The bulk of these savings can be attributed to the public and I would like to thank them sincerely for their continued support and efforts to save water. The savings would not have been possible without their dedication.
“A large percentage of our residents have voluntarily reduced their water consumption to well below the level of 20 kilolitres per month, which the Municipality has determined as the upper limit before punitive measures become effective. It shows that our community has a good grasp of the seriousness of the situation and is prepared to put in an extra effort to save water.
“We regularly hear about the innovative ways which residents are implementing to reduce their consumption. The poster competition for schoolchildren, which the Municipality held recently also showed that there is a good level of awareness of the drought situation among children, and that is very positive,” said Dr Gratz.
Dr Gratz said that there is unfortunately still a small group of people who do not co-operate. Some of them still use more than 80 kilolitres of water per month. The Council has, however, approved the installation of water flow restrictors at the properties of consumers who continue to flout the water restrictions, and the first of these restrictors will be installed soon.
She said many people have also installed rainwater tanks, which is very positive for the water situation in the longer term as it has to be accepted that climate change is real and that continued pressure on the town’s water sources can be expected in future.
The Wolwedans Dam, the Municipality’s main source of water, was 28,8 per cent full on Monday, 12 April 2010, compared to 29,6 per cent the previous week and 68,2 per cent a year ago. The current projection is that Mossel Bay’s water supply will last until August 2010 if it does not rain enough before then.
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