Metro to step up water-saving

THE Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality will be stepping up efforts to get residents to cut back on water consumption as the levels of the metro's biggest dams continue to drop.

The levels of the three main catchment dams – Churchill, Impofu and Loerie – have dropped by a combined average of 7.3% over the past month.

The news comes as the municipality recorded a major drop in the average rainfall compared to the 20-year average.

The average rainfall for the Churchill Dam, which is the city's biggest dam, over the past 20 years for the month of July was 67.3mm. The figure for July this year was 16.8mm.

Although the municipality issued a warning to residents and businesses last month to cut back on excessive water usage or face the prospect of higher tariffs, it is planning to intensify its campaign next month as it tries to avert another water crisis.