Page 12 - Intra Muros November Issue 2024

ESTATE NEWS

WATER RESTRICTIONS AND

STORAGE TANK RULES

e continue with our day-to-day How can we overcome the crisis? can be planted that will adhere to the
activities as usual while knowing In most cases, water storage tanks will fencing and provide screening.
Wthat weather patterns are help decrease the demand for water. A
changing. This new challenge needs to be 5 000-litre water tank is not appealing, and Due to the weight of the tank at full capacity,
fully acknowledged. the HOA would like to inform residents a 100mm concrete surface bed will need to
that there are architectural and aesthetic be cast in the desired position. Residents
The fact is, we are facing a crisis that’s certain rules that apply to the positioning are urged to use qualified plumbers for the
to affect our daily lives for years to come. and screening of water storage tanks. installation in order to avoid unnecessary
One of the municipal responses to this problems or leakage of the unit.
crisis has been the implementation of water To assist residents, we recommend that
restrictions. natural screening take place: trees, To keep the standards of the estate at the
hedges or shrubs can be planted to limit high level it is, we encourage residents
Climate change is a reality and is affecting the visibility of the tank. Alternatively, a to adhere to the Estate Rules to ensure
weather patterns worldwide. Cape Town had trellis or horizontal/vertical timber slats that the tanks are installed correctly and
its own day zero scare a few years ago, and on a steel frame can be used to screen screened aesthetically. Please remember
now here in Gauteng, we are experiencing the tank. to use water sparingly.
very little rain this season because the dams
that supply water to the reservoirs are at low Clear-view fencing is a further option Guy Hughes
levels. Hence, the City of Tshwane is calling whereby a creeper or something similar Compliance Officer
on all residents and businesses to reduce
water consumption in order to save the city’s
reservoirs from running dry, resulting in water
shortages and subsequent prolonged water
supply interruptions.

The City of Tshwane has been cited as one of
the high-consuming metros in Gauteng. Rand
Water pumps 80 million litres to Tshwane
per day, which is 18% more than the city’s
permitted limit.

In the past few weeks, consumption by both
businesses and households has increased
significantly, resulting in a steep decline of
the city’s overall reservoir storage capacity.

Residents are further reminded that the
Level 1 water restrictions that were imposed
previously in line with the Water Supply By-
laws were never withdrawn and are therefore
still applicable. The following rules apply:
• Do not water or irrigate gardens with a
hosepipe or sprinkler system between
06:00 and 18:00.
• Do not use a hosepipe to clean driveways
or patios.
• Do not wash vehicles with a hosepipe.
• Do not fill or top-up swimming pools or
water features.

10 | INTRAMUROS NOVEMBER 2024