By Tabisa Mntengwana
15 January 2010

CONSUMERS have been urged to save water by the municipality, which has warned that the water level at the Bridle Drift Dam has dropped below 40 percent.

According to a report by the City’s engineering services department, the anticipated rainfall patterns for the Bridle Drift Dam catchment area have not materialised and the dam is just 38 percent full. The dam, on the Buffalo River, supplies the water needed by East London and Mdantsane.

Buffalo City has sent water saving tips to its customers, including information on using water outdoors, indoors and for gardening. Consumers are advised to follow these tips to reduce their water consumption:

• Wash only full loads in washing machines and dishwashers;
• Shorten shower times for each shower by one minute;
• Collect water instead of wasting it while waiting for it to get hot, and use this water for plants;
• Fix leaking taps and toilets; and
• Sweep driveways instead of using a hose to clean them.

When it comes to gardening, the City advises householders to group together plants with similar water needs. “Good design avoids mixing plants that need regular water with those that need little to no water.”

All consumers are advised to report visible and suspected pipe bursts in East London on 043 705 9236 and Mdantsane on 043 705 9861. For after hours reports for all areas, telephone 043 705 9000 or 043 705 9097.