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ECoast water crisis critical!
Some resorts on the East Coast have only two weeks of water left less than a month before the festive season rush begins, writes Babalo Ndenze.
The problem is so acute in some parts that owners are reportedly draining their swimming pools in desperation.
In July the drought in the Amathole District Municipality (ADM) reached alarming levels, with some towns officially being declared disaster areas.
As is the situation wasn’t bad enough, conditions have taken a turn for the worst.
Ed Rathbone, owner of Areena Riverside Resort, Game Park Adventure and Leisure Village said he was in big trouble.
“It’s very bad. I’ve got about two weeks of water left. Some resorts have closed down in the area and some are using water from their swimming pools. We’ve had to reduce occupancy because we’ve got no water,” said a frustrated Rathbone.
He said the situation has forced him to dig dams for about five months, costing him R30 000 a month.
“And you know what’s the sad thing? We’ve just been voted one of the top resorts in the country. We get more than 1000 tourists a day during the season,” said Rathbone.
He said all businesses and farms were being affected by the drought.
“I normally relied on my dam, but from there I switched over to borehole (water). That soon came to an end. I was then pumping water out of the Kwelera River illegally. What else can I do?” asked Rathbone.
He said he went as far as calling the provincial government, ADM, the ANC, and the DA, but to no avail.
“Not one of them responded,” said Rathbone.
Further north conditions are just as severe.
Thandi Nonyinga from the Haga Haga Hotel said they were in the same dire situation.
“It’s getting serious. A truck brings us water everyday because the dam is empty. We are still surviving because of the truck. We don’t know what we are going to do when we are full (of guests). We will be fully booked until January.
In December we will see if we survive,” said Nonyinga.
She said the recent rain hasn’t made much of a difference.
“It’s not raining enough. We need three to four days of rain at least,” said Nonyinga.
Unlike Haga Haga and Kwelera, the Morgan Bay area has not been as badly affected.
ADM spokesperson Gail Pullen said she needed to establish the dam levels before making a comment. She said she would respond once she has gathered all the relevant information.
Do you live on the East Coast Resorts road? Or are you plenning to go out there in December? Are you worried about the water situation? Blog now and let us know.
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I agree with Bev. EVERY house should have its own water catchment system. It should be law.
Recycle, recycle, recycle.
And remember, if it’s yellow, let it mellow, if it’s brown, flush it down.
Mirka,
Your tip has my wholehearted support.
Just one question – is’nt water an essential element in the production of beer?
It’s all about educating people. I grew up in Namibia, and I still apply what I’ve learnt during the ‘Save Water, Water is Life) campaigns. Water is not a right, therefore it should not be taken for granted. Another tip is to close the tap when you soap, or shampoo while you’re in the shower. How many taps are leaking? And what about swimming pools that are filled to the brim during winter months? But the lack of rain in the last couple of months certainly did not help either. Sigh! …or as the saying goes, save water, drink beer 
GR8 – thats an excellent idea. I’d also like to read other peoples tips on how they save water. Here in Harties when things are really bad they switch off the water at 17:00 and put it back on at 06:00. We keep a 25l drum with water which he use to “mini-shower” in the bath – and then the water that catches in the bath we use it to flush the loo.. Not a freat way to live – but we don’t exactly have a choice… When you don’t have water it makes you realise just how much you waste.
I got a powerpoint email yesterday. Written by someone in the year 2070. Remembering his childhood of swimming, and the ample water around. And that no salaries get paid, you get paid in water. And i actually think that is not far from the truth. We really have taken the “taps” for granted. I grew up in JHB when water restrictions were in full swing. And the habbits that i learnt then, i still apply today. I have a veggie garden, and use the kids bathwater to water the plants. As hubby and i shower. Little things, like not leaving the water running when you are brushing your teeth, shaving etc.
Maybe we should start a blog on water saving, and ideas of what to do?
The only reason Morgan Bay has not been as badly affected is that its residents erected tanks, etc
Sorry – was suppose to say aren’t going to get better
When there is no water, there is no water. We’ve had restrictions in QTN for nearly 2 years now. Everyone is trying to drill for water but even that is drying up. We had to make a huge change in our mindset about how we use water and conserve. All my bathwater and washing water from clothing goes straight into the garden. On the days the water are cut we run a bath and use all our water from there – the lovely bucket system. In places where there are no restrictions there are no mindset to save water and it is a free for all. It is a learning curve and things are going to better soon..
When is a crisis NOT critical?
Seriously, government needs to make a firm commitment to provide the necessary infrastructure for our East Coast resorts if our tourism industry is to grow and flourish. A good start was made with the road to Kei Mouth – now let’s sort out the water.
We use too much water. There is nothing we can do about the rain, but we can all conserve. The amount of water that ones sees wasted, running down the street, cars being washed, gardens watered, its disgusting.
Down herein paradise, we have a building law that EVERY home has to have a rain-water catchment. It certainly helps.
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