PORT ELIZABETH - INTERNATIONAL DELEGATION IN NELSON MANDELA BAY TO TACKLE PENDING WATER CRISIS

An international delegation is in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro to share experiences on different ways of dealing with the water and drought crisis facing the metro.

The level of the five supply dams is at 49% and should this decrease to 45% the metro will have to be declared a disaster area. Scientists from different fields shared ideas on how to tackle disaster, with a specific look into the drought and water crisis.

Since the introduction of water restrictions, Nelson Mandela Bay Metro residents have been urged to use water sparingly, as dam water levels drop.

The Metro experiences water shortages every four years as a result of lack of rain, especially in the catchment areas on the west of Port Elizabeth. Head of Safety and Security, John Best says they're hoping to get ideas of how to access water when there is lack of rain.

“The purpose of this collaboration is to tap their brains and to see what they can come up with. Because I think that over and above rainfall there are other sources of water. What are they doing in Europe and how are they addressing this problem, if there is no rainfall where are they getting water.”

Despite different programs introduced by the metro to fight leaks, they still contribute 21% of the water that is lost. Director of the Disaster Management Training Education Centre in Africa, Andries Jordaan says the Gariep dam could be Nelson Mandela Bay's back up plan.

“Your big challenge is obviously drinking water for the people, your dams are now below 50%, there is water available from the Gariep dam but it is also limited. We are just lucky that the dam is now 80% full. One of the biggest challenges in your area is water losses, taps and pipes losing a lot of water, I believe that there is a loss of 30% through leaks - so by just maintaining water regulations and that system, you'll save more water.”

The South African Government has also been encouraged to invest more in technology.

Government has also been encouraged to look at recycling water, especially in the Agriculture industry, as it uses more than 70 % of water.

VIA - sabc