Bloemfontein is getting water restrictions for the first time in 32 years. The Mangaung metro council decided during a special meeting on Friday (3 July 2015) afternoon to implement the restrictions.

A 20% price increase for water will be part of the deal. Despite a debate on technical issues, the DA and ANC both supported restrictions. “The metro’s water situation is bleak. Sixty-nine percent of Bloemfontein’s water comes from the Welbedag dam, which provides water to the Bloem Water resevoir. That dam has 26% less water than last year,” Democratic Alliance councillor Rossouw Botes said. “Mangaung uses 200 million litres of water a day. The water in the dams that provide water to the metro, will never last until October, when we can expect the first spring rains. “Thaba ‘Nchu is already dry and other areas are on a knife’s edge. The Groothoek dam, which provides water to Thaba ‘Nchu, is completely dry. There are 25 boreholes in Thaba ‘Nchu. Of these, 7 are dry and the others are overstressed.” The city last had water restrictions in 1983.