MyPE

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Just How Much Water is Lost Between Dam and Tap?

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We acknowledge the municipalities sterling efforts to thank Port Elizabeth residents for their water conservation these last few months.

See: Low water demand shows that residents continue to heed conservation calls

Disturbing to us is the fact that the rumour mill often estimates the water loss between dam and tap as high as 40%. This leakage, you understand, is beyond the control of us mere mortals and has to be attended to by the Municipality (using our money of course). Isn’t it strange how ratepayer money becomes Municipal money that is used to further other agendas?

We also recognise that times are a little bit harder for the Municipality as they are now suffering from the low water consumption collection rates. We still await a report back pertaining to the money that many feel was “ripped off” of us in punitive rates and charges that ran whilst the dams were full.

It is high time that the Municipality look seriously at the water loss between the dams and the meters of consumers – if the rumour mill estimate of a 40% loss is true then it is high time that Mfunda et al take the log out of their own eyes.

Surely a simple monthly comparison between the amount of water extracted from the dams vs the amount of water charged for or given away will show just how much water is lost between dam and tap?

BTW – I have asked the above question for the 2nd time now and hope for an answer in my lifetime.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. What makes this issue a damn side worse. Was listening to a talk on SAFM where the water situation in the country was being discussed. Special mention was made of Port Elizabeth – 5 years ago the municipality placed the project to pipe water to PE, on hold. Yet another bad decision or procrastination on the municipalities part. What then happened was that we were 
    charged excessively during the drought. The blame can be placed squarely at the feet of NMBM, due to their lack of planning, we almost ran out of water.

    I believe that the water project to PE should be completed in 3 to 6 months time and that they are not far from Uitenhage at the moment.

  2. I believe that the loss in PE is less than 40 %. Our water pipes are old and are in need of serious cash to get them up to standard. The fact that we lose about a 1/3 of our water , they do measure from treatment works to meter,is a huge concern for the guys at the Metro.The amount of water being lost at the township and at their schools is very alarming.I was told told that at one stage almost 12.5% of our monthly consumption was being lost in this way. I know work is being done to help the schools reduce their waste.