The water crisis for the Lukhanji area is getting serious:  The rainy season is over, the dams are either half full or empty and the demand is ever increasing.  The water restrictions from 21h00 to 04h30 are still underway with no end in site.  The Border Kei Chamber of Business is still the active driver in reminding the municipalities of their commitments in this regard, creating awareness amongst the community thorough publishing articles in the newspapers and are represented in the monthly water crisis meetings.  The fact is Queenstown and its surrounding areas are getting their water supply from only one dam (the Waterdown dam next to Whittlesea), and the water level in this dam is decreasing steadily.  The only sustainable solution has been identified as the building of a pipeline from the Xonxa dam through to Queenstown.  Driven by the BKCOB, the responsible consultants will ensure that this project is brought to tender stage by end of July.  Unfortunately the Chris Hani Municipality has not yet allocated a budget for the construction phase.  The municipality is now in the process of declaring this area a disaster area.

In efforts to create public awareness around this water crisis, the Lukhanji Municipality committed to starting a water saving initiative.  Although decisions around these initiatives were taken and accepted at the beginning of this year, none have come to fruition to date.  The BKCOB is continuing discussions with the municipality around making these initiatives a reality as soon as possible!  Not only for the businesses in and around Queenstown, but for the benefit of the people themselves!