Water Week Awareness: 20 to 26 March

GEORGE NEWS - George Library manager Rachel Williams has thanked all library officials for throwing their weight behind the awareness campaign about saving water in George in the run-up to National Water Week and water month.

National Water Week 2022 runs from 20 to 26 March to educate the public about their responsibility in water conservation initiatives, and to raise awareness of the need to protect and conserve the country's water resources.

The National Water Week activities address the current and future water challenges the country is facing, under the theme "Groundwater - making the invisible visible".

Water must be protected, conserved and used in a sustainable manner as South Africa is a water-scarce country.

Water restrictions were implemented in George on 25 January this year to curb the excessive use of drinking water in George.

Water measures to be adhered to:

The mechanical or automatic irrigation/watering devices or sprinkler systems for gardens is prohibited.
Gardens may be watered with a handheld hose from 01 September to 30 May ( we are currently within this period), i.e. between 19:00 to 21:00
Gardens may be watered with a handheld hose from 01 June to 31 August during the following period only, i.e. between 17:00 to 19:00.
Mondays and Thursdays for even-numbered households ONLY.
Tuesdays and Fridays for uneven numbered households ONLY.
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.
The washing of vehicles with a garden hose is prohibited, except by a commercial enterprise whose business it is to wash cars.
The cleaning of ANY area by mechanical means or hosepipe using water is prohibited; The use of a bucket is however permitted.
The filling of swimming pools is prohibited.
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 42 44 77 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.

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.

Application forms for an exemption can be obtained from the office of the Directorate: 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 of Civil Engineering Services will consider all applications.

A written exemption shall be provided where approved.

Report all water leaks to the Civil Engineering Department on 044 801 9262/66 or after hours on 044 801 6300.

Water must be protected, conserved and used in a sustainable manner as South Africa is a water-scarce country.