BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

THE Water problem continues to affect other areas in North West province. The shortage of water shows its ugly head in Rustenburg and its neighbouring areas. The municipality has urged the residents to use water sparingly.

 The Rustenburg local municipality spokesperson, Thapelo Matebesi said: “The municipality receives water from Rand Water, Magalies Water and other own sources. Our main contributors are Magalies Water and Rand Water. The water purification systems are currently under tremendous strain due to the heat wave combined with the extremely dry season. The level of Rand Water’s Barnardsvlei dropped from a steady 80% to a critical 14% currently. The Bospoort reservoir feeding the Boitekong areas is merely 6% currently.

“The mines are also using water from these resources and are depending on the water for their mining activities. The mining activities are the backbone of a great part of the municipality conomy. The severe impact on the water availability will have serious consequences for all local businesses,”

Matebesi said the municipality has issued water restrictions for consumers and it is important that they (consumers) do understand the seriousness the matter.

 “We also hereby request each and everyone to keep by the restrictions and conserve our water as it is precious and cannot be replaced. The most serious impact, other than dwindling water supplies, is the effect on staple crops and commercial crops. We urge all our residents to be prepared and heed the call of the seriousness of our water situation. Let us work together through this difficult time.” he said.

 The province has been declared as a drought area. It is faced with extremely dry period and experiencing a worst drought in two decades.

 Water Affair department spokesperson, Sputnik Ratau said: “South Africa is a water-scarce country. We encourage people to conserve water as much as possible. The less prudent we are with water, the higher the risk of shortages this year. Water will definitely be at a premium over the next few months. The country will be in an even more dire situation in terms of availability of water.”

-TDN

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