GEORGE NEWS - The ongoing drought has resulted in the rapid shrinking of our water resources.
The water level of the Garden Route Dam, George's main water supply, is down to below 50% and water restrictions have been in place since 1 June.
At a meeting of the Wilderness Ratepayers and Residents Association (WRRA) held on Wednesday night 12 July, George Ward 4 councillor Marlene Barnard said in a hard-hitting message that citizens have to start cutting their water consumption drastically or be faced with the same situation as Cape Town, where Level 4b water restrictions allow individual users 87 litres per day.
Cape Town's water resources have dwindled to the point where most dams are almost empty. Cape Town as a whole is allowed to use 500-million litres per day.
Barnard appealed to ratepayers to adopt survival mode and not take the attitude "I can pay for fines and I will use as much as I want".
Residents should remember that 25% of the water remaining in the dam is not usable, as most of it is mud and sludge. "The gravity of the situation should therefore be realised and everybody should find ways to curb water usage.
Re-use where you can and remember that the days of taking big warm baths are over. Use your bath water to flush the toilet and water the plants," was her advice.
Big fines
From 1 July the George Municipality implemented fines for repeat offenders by which habitual water wasters may incur penalties of up to R4 000 or six months in jail.
The municipality implemented water restrictions according to its Drought Management Policy when the content of the Garden Route Dam, which services the greater George area, reached 60% in June. Pamphlets listing the restrictions and tips have been distributed.
All the details are on the George Municipality's website www.george.org.za (under "News"). Offenders can be reported to the municipality on 044 801 6350.
Leaking and burst water pipes can be reported to the Civil Engineering Department on 044 801 9262 or after hours on 044 801 6300 as soon as they are noticed.
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