GEORGE NEWS - School children chanted 'I will save water' last Friday 23 June during the first of many school visits by George Mayor Melvin Naik to bring the urgency of water security home.
The water awareness campaign forms part of the George Municipality Drought Management Policy that came into effect when the level of the Garden Route Dam, which services the greater George area, dropped to below 60% on the first day of June.
The latest dam level reading, which is taken weekly on Wednesdays, was 54,48% on 21 June. The policy also kick-started immediate water restrictions to maintain the area's water security.
During Naik's visit, the pupils of George Preparatory School were keen to participate when Naik asked them where they thought the city's drinking water came from. The answers ranged from "taps' and "pipes" to "rain" and "dams", offering the mayor the perfect opportunity to explain the bigger picture.
"It hasn't rained as much as we wanted it to over the past few months and now our dam is just over 50% full. We must all save water wherever we can so we don't run out and have nothing to drink," he told them.
Illustrated with an overhead slide show, the mayor's talk included tips on how households could save water at home, and asked learners to take the water security message back home. "Ask your family to think of as many ways of saving water as they can - like sharing bathwater, hand-washing dishes and not letting taps run while brushing teeth.
When summer comes, ask your parents to, instead of topping up the swimming pool, rather take you to the beach."
The mayor appeals to all schools to participate in the water security campaign by inviting him to speak at their institutions. Schools can contact the mayor's office and make an appointment for a talk on 044 801 9129.
"Children have a wonderful way of convincing adults to do all kinds of things. Let's harness their enthusiasm and sincerity to safeguard the water security of our area," said Naik.
Water restrictions in George
The water restrictions mean the following measures are in place:
1. Mechanical irrigation of gardens is prohibited.
2. Gardens may only be watered using handheld hoses between 19:00 and 21:00 on specific days.
Even-numbered households may only water on Mondays and Thursdays.
Uneven-numbered households may only water on Tuesdays and Fridays.
3. The irrigation/watering of all sport fields is prohibited, except for golf course greens, bowling greens and cricket pitches, daily between 19:00 and 21:00.
4. Washing of vehicles with a garden hose, except by a commercial carwash, is prohibited.
5. Cleaning of any outside surface area using water is prohibited.
6. Where own water from a borehole or reservoir is used, "OWN WATER" signage must be displayed.
Please report water leaks, burst pipes and other water-related concerns to our Civil Engineering Department on 044 801 9262 or after hours on 044 801 6300, as soon as you notice them.
1. Mechanical irrigation of gardens is prohibited.
2. Gardens may only be watered using handheld hoses between 19:00 and 21:00 on specific days.
Even-numbered households may only water on Mondays and Thursdays.
Uneven-numbered households may only water on Tuesdays and Fridays.
3. The irrigation/watering of all sport fields is prohibited, except for golf course greens, bowling greens and cricket pitches, daily between 19:00 and 21:00.
4. Washing of vehicles with a garden hose, except by a commercial carwash, is prohibited.
5. Cleaning of any outside surface area using water is prohibited.
6. Where own water from a borehole or reservoir is used, "OWN WATER" signage must be displayed.
Please report water leaks, burst pipes and other water-related concerns to our Civil Engineering Department on 044 801 9262 or after hours on 044 801 6300, as soon as you notice them.
Naik held an interactive talk on water security and water saving tips with learners of George Preparatory School on Friday.
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