Rain or no rain, water cuts will remain in force

WITH the continuing drought countrywide and ongoing water restrictions, predictions of higher-than-usual summer rains in the Eastern Cape offer an uncertain relief.

This, after Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality was warned by Eastern Cape Water and Sanitation head Portia Makhanya that unless the metro drastically reduced its water use, forced water cuts would be implemented and legal action taken.

Municipal spokesman Kupido Baron said although recent rains in the city were welcome, not much rain had fallen in the dam catchment areas. Dam levels were at 64%, he said. “It is imperative that water use be cut back in all activities,” he said.

SA Weather Service Port Elizabeth branch spokesman Garth Sampson said higher-than-usual summer rain was predicted for the Eastern Cape.

“But we mustn’t think summer rain will solve the problem,” he said.

Metro infrastructure head Annette Lovemore said even if metro dams were full, the municipality would not be able to lift water restrictions.

“Our infrastructure cannot deliver on our requirements, hence the need for water restrictions,” she said.

Predictions for good rains were not definite, Sampson warned: “These are only predictions not guarantees . . . people should still be cautious about the amount of water they use.”

He said no significant rainfall was expected in the catchment areas.

It was difficult to predict where the most rain would fall in the province.

The province will be partly cloudy and cool today and through the weekend with coastal wind moderate southwesterly to westerly.

Port Elizabeth’s predicted maximum temperature is 21°C from today to Sunday, minimum temperatures varying between 15°C and 17°C, with no rain expected.

“In the next week or so temperatures will increase,” Sampson said.