History is repeating itself as residents of Qacha's Nek, urban council grapple with a severe water shortage exacerbated by ongoing drought conditions.

In an exclusive interview with the Agency, Mrs. Lineo Moqasa, Public Relations Manager for the Water and Sewage Company (WASCO), announced that water supply will now be rationed.

Both the catchment plant and the Mosaqane source are experiencing significant scarcity, prompting the need for scheduled distribution.

“Supply will be managed in a way that minimizes disruption,” she explained, noting that affected areas this week include Motse-mocha, TJ, Phate ha li aloloe, Paqama, and Makhalong.

“This isn’t a new challenge; we face this during drought periods. We urge residents to conserve water responsibly, as August marks the onset of widespread water shortages.”

Mrs. Moqasa encouraged the community to utilize water-saving measures, such as using buckets instead of hoses for car washing and employing tanks for irrigation. “The rationing schedule will remain in effect until we see significant rainfall,” she added, expressing disappointment that recent snowfall did not improve conditions.

“It’s crucial for the public to take initiative in water conservation, especially in the context of climate change,” she urged. “We must educate our children on the importance of saving water for the future.”

Villagers have voiced their frustrations, having endured days of water scarcity. “The recent rain provided a brief reprieve, but we quickly found ourselves sharing our limited supply with neighbours,” they lamented. “We rely on water daily, and this situation is incredibly stressful.”

This crisis mirrors similar challenges faced last year, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable water management in the face of changing climate patterns.