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GEORGE NEWS & VIDEO - Water restrictions similar to those implemented during severe drought have been implemented in George with immediate effect.
This call was made by the Section 80 Civil Engineering Services Committee today, 25 January.
George currently suffers a severe water emergency as the water treatment works cannot meet the current potable water demand and cannot ensure adequate reservoir storage volumes to meet the emergency storage volumes required.
Flood
Due to the flood disaster on 22 November 2021, the national head of the Disaster Management Centre declared this event a national disaster on 19 January 2022.
Severe damage to the town's infrastructure on 22 November and again on 6 December 2021 has meant that the main storage reservoirs could never recover their storage capacity adequately to act as backup for the high season demand.
This, coupled with the warm weather, general growth and the recent reopening of businesses and industries, means that the average daily demand is hovering at 38-39 Megalitres (Ml) per day, with peak days reaching even 40Ml/day.
The production capacity of the Old and New Water Treatment Works is a combined volume of 38Ml per day.
Water restrictions will therefore be implemented in the George Water Distribution and Reticulation network, excluding Uniondale and Haarlem, with immediate effect until further notice.
Access to basic water supply and sanitation is a basic right for all communities and it is the responsibility of the George Municipality as the water services institution to take reasonable measures to ensure these rights.
Video: Executive Mayor, Leon van Wyk - Water restrictions for George
The immediate measures to be adhered to are as follows:
1. Mechanical or automatic irrigation / watering devices or sprinkler systems for gardens is prohibited.
2. From 1 September to 30 May, gardens may only be watered with a handheld hose at the following times: Mondays and Thursdays for even-numbered households ONLY; and Tuesdays and Fridays for uneven numbered households ONLY. In addition, from from 1 September to 30 May, such watering may only take place between 19:00 and 21:00; and from 1 June to 31 August, such watering may only take place between 17:00 and 19:00.
3. The irrigation or watering of all sports fields is prohibited. Exemption from restrictions in the following instances only: golf course greens, bowling greens, and cricket pitches, which may only be watered between 19:00 and 21:00.
4. The washing of vehicles with a garden hose is prohibited, except by a commercial enterprise whose business it is to wash cars.
5. The cleaning of ANY area by mechanical means or hosepipe using water is prohibited; the use of a bucket is however permitted.
6. The filling of swimming pools is prohibited.
7. Where own water from a borehole or reservoir is used, the appropriate notice shall be displayed on the premises, e.g. OWN WATER.
Contraventions of the Water Restrictions can be reported on 0800 424 477 and will be followed up by George municipal law enforcement.
Any person who contravenes these restrictions is guilty of an offence and is, upon conviction, liable to a fine as published in the annual tariffs list, or six months imprisonment.
Watch an English or Afrikaans video supplied by George Municipality below:
English:
Afrikaans:
In terms of Section 5 of the by-law, any person may apply in writing for the exemption from the provision of any notice published in terms of the by-law, and the council may grant an exemption and impose conditions in respect of such an application.
The policy grants permission to the Directorate of Civil Engineering Services to approve applications for exemptions.
Exemption
Application forms for an exemption can be obtained from the office of the Directorate of Civil Engineering Services, Old Town Hall, on the corner of Market and York streets.
Alternatively, applicants can contact Ms G van Niekerk on 044 801 9354 / gvanniekerk@george.gov.za to request that a copy of the application form be e-mailed to them.
The Directorate Civil Engineering Services will consider all applications. A written exemption shall be provided where approved.
Report all water leaks to our Civil Engineering Department on 044 801 9262/66.
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