WATER RESTRICTIONS: URBAN AND IRRIGATION PURPOSES: INTEGRATED VAAL RIVER SYSTEM
Title: National Water Act (36/1998): Integrated Vaal River System- limiting the use of water for urban and irrigation purposes in the catchment areas of the dams suppling the Integrated Vaal River System and from the system
Government Gazette Notice: GN 910 in GG 40203 of 12 August 2016
Commencing date: 12 August 2016
The Acting Director-General of the Department of Water and Sanitation, on reasonable grounds, believe that a water shortage may exists on/in the Integrated Vaal River System (IVRS) including other areas within/of Thukela sub-system, Usutu subsystem, Inkomati, Heyshope, Zaaihoek catchment areas due to insufficient rains and that it is necessary to limit the taking of water that feeds the major dams and is taken from the Integrated Vaal River System.
The taking of water from the Integrated Vaal River System by the urban and irrigation users has been restricted as follows:
1. 15% of curtailment on urban water use in the aforementioned areas;
2. 20% of curtailment on irrigation water use in the aforementioned areas.
3. The limitation applies from the date of this notice until further notice.
“So what” for my operation?
Should your operation be located within these catchments, it is important for your operation to have knowledge of these restrictions as relevant to the quantities of water allowed to be taken from the specified water systems for urban and irrigation purposes. If you contravene this notice, the authority may modify, or require you to modify the contravening waterwork so that it cannot be used to take more water than that allowed for in the notice; or remove the waterwork or require you to remove the waterwork if the notice contains a prohibition on the use of that waterwork. Any reasonable costs incurred by this modification or removal may be recovered from your operation.
What is Shangoni’s approach?
Shangoni can assist individuals and industries located in the affected areas in developing Water Conservation and Demand Management Plans that include aspects such as compiling a water balance for your operation, identification of areas of water loss and setting targets for water use optimisation.
