Although the metro encourages residents to have boreholes installed, it was recently made clear the restrictions on outdoor use of water – including the prohibition of using hosepipes and filling swimming pools – are applicable to boreholes.<\/p>\n
Clr Tiisetso Nketle, member of the mayoral committee (MMC) for water and sanitation, said the prohibition on using hosepipes, irrigation systems, filling swimming pools and watering the garden between 6am and 6pm, also applies to those with boreholes.<\/p>
\u201cAs we are in a drought, we have to save water from any reservoir in order to allow the entire system to recharge,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
That came after news that the Vaal Dam, which feeds Ekurhuleni, is 27 per cent full and the city has received a ration from Rand Water.<\/p>
Ekurhuleni\u2019s ration, which should come into effect on October 28, is 828 631 thousand litres (kl) per day, whereas the city currently uses about 974 860kl per day.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople are encouraged to have boreholes installed and employ rain harvesting, as they will reduce the pressure on the municipal system,\u201d Nketle said.<\/p>\n
Clr Andr\u00e9 du Plessis (Ward 23) said: \u201cThe city needs more strategies to save water, such as encouraging people to install tanks to catch rain water; which can then be used to irrigate.\u201d<\/p>\n
Anne-Marie Stuiver, a spokesperson for Afribore, said the company has noticed a definite rise in business, since water restrictions were implemented in Ekurhuleni.<\/p>\n
The company is based in Bapsfontein and specialises in the drilling of boreholes, installing irrigation systems, booster pumps and the maintenance of boreholes.<\/p>\n
\u201cPrices depend on depth and water yield, but a 60 metre borehole will cost around R28 000 to R42 000, excluding installation of the pump,\u201d Stuiver said.<\/p>\n
\u201cMake sure you make use of a professional driller registered with the Borehole Water Association of Southern Africa.\u201d<\/p>\n
Stuiver added residents should make sure with the municipality that they are allowed to install a borehole in their area.<\/p>\n
\u201cBoreholes for farming must have the permission from the department of water affairs and have it registered by the department,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter that, get a geo-hydrologist to pinpoint the place of drilling and get written quotes from companies; they are normally free of charge.<\/p>\n
\u201cMake sure of the quality and experience of the driller and arrange that access to the property is in place.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf a borehole is installed properly, adhering to the department of water affairs\u2019 specifications, it should last for many years – except if lightning hits the pump, though there are protection tools that can be installed.<\/p>\n
\u201cTimers or level controls can be installed where water is pumped into storage tanks, so that the pump doesn\u2019t run dry.\u201d<\/p>\n
Among the advantages Stuiver listed, is a \u201csubstantial\u201d reduction in the water bill.<\/p>\n
\u201cBorehole water is safe for consumption by humans, though it must be determined by a test of the water quality at the specific borehole,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou should still have a nice green garden, but it still doesn’t mean people may use water irresponsibly, especially in drought times, as boreholes can also dry up.\u201d<\/p>\n
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