Sunday, September 8, 2024 The ongoing water crisis along the South Coast, stretching from Pumula Beach to Port Edward, has severely affected both tourism and local residents in the Ugu District, with no sustainable solution in sight. Pauline Lee, general manager of The Waffle House Ramsgate, expressed her frustration with the situation, explaining how the restaurant has had to allocate significant funds toward securing alternative water sources, diverting resources away from essential service improvements. “We’ve had to rely on water tankers every two days, even during off-peak times,” Lee explained.
During the holiday season, the water demand spikes, making the situation more challenging. The Waffle House consumes over 10,000 liters of water every two days during off-peak periods, with that number increasing to 80,000 liters during peak season. Each water tanker costs R3,200, with prices fluctuating depending on demand.
To cope with these expenses, Lee said they had installed eco-friendly water purifiers to keep operations running smoothly. Brett Tungay, chairman of the Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa (FEDHASA), highlighted the significant toll the water crisis has taken on tourism in the region. “The crisis impacts local establishments more than tourists, as visitors can choose other destinations, but businesses here must find ways to stay afloat,” Tungay said.
Many hospitality businesses have resorted to installing water tanks or boreholes to mi.