Restrictions on the use of water – Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality

In terms of Section 4 of the Water Services Act 108 (No 108 of 1997) and Clause 31 of the Water & Sanitation Services By Law the following will be prohibited from immediate effect:

1. The use of water obtained from the Municipality’s water supply system for: -

• watering gardens, lawns, grassed areas, flower beds, racecourses, sports fields, bowling greens, golf greens and fairways, croquet lawns, turf wickets, ploughing fields and the like;

• topping up or filling fountains, ornamental ponds and the like;

• filling swimming and paddling pools;

• washing paved areas, walls, roofs, buildings and similar structures.

2. The use or operation of: -

• hosepipes;

• sprinklers, sprinkler and drip systems;

• automatic swimming pool filters;

• automatic urinal flushing systems;

• the connection of a hosepipe or any form of an irrigation system to a tap supplying water from theMunicipality’s water supply system unless for the purposes permitted in terms of this notice.

 

EXEMPTIONS

1. The use of reclaimed water or water obtained from sources other than the Municipality’s water supply system.

2. Watering gardens, lawns, grassed areas and flower beds by means of a hand-held container.

3. The use or operation of a hosepipe or sprinkler system for fire fighting.

4. The filling of a new pool on completion of initial construction.

5. Commercial vehicle washing business where at least 70 % of the water is recycled.

(Vehicle washing by means of a hand-held container is permitted)

6. Watering of plants, trees and shrubs in commercial, state and municipal nurseries.

7. The filling of municipal swimming pools and swimming pools at hotels, fitness centres, medical care centres, schools, educational institutions and institutions of higher education.

8. The prohibitions contained in this notice shall not apply in any case specifically exempted, in writing, by the Executive Director: Infrastructure and Engineering.

NOTE

• Notice boards must be prominently displayed where water from sources other than the Municipality’s water supply system is used for irrigation.
• Landowners must notify the Infrastructure and Engineering Directorate in writing of the existence of boreholes on their property.
• Landowners must apply to the Department of Water & Sanitation for the intention to sink boreholes and also notify the NMBM.
• All consumption must be reduced by at least 15% and failure to achieve this the NMBM will be forced to impose stricter measure.

The contravention of this prohibition constitutes a criminal offence