GEORGE NEWS - Strict water restrictions remaining in place despite the Garden Route Dam level having hovered at over 80% for quite some time now, caused some discussions on the George Ratepayers Association chat group.
One member said it was "plain theft". "If you use in excess of 15kl per month then emergency rates apply. How is it possible with a dam of 90% full?" He said at the current dam level and rules, ratepayers "will never be out of emergency rates again".
Sharp dam level drop last year
Jake Crowther said the main issue for George water users is that the city managed to take the new enlarged dam level down to about 50% in August/September last year from overflowing the previous December - within way less than a year.
"It was a fairly dry year but not extremely, not by any means. When we get into another proper dry cycle, water scarcity and restricted consumption is going to make load-shedding look like a picnic by comparison. A simple case of supply and demand. Thus restriction should be permanent in my opinion, the new norm. And we should all add more tanks, plant different (indigenous) gardens, recycle water, etc. Get yourself independent with regard to power and water."
Helen Robertson referred to the World Resources Institute's (WRI) estimate that by 2040, Southern Africa's water extraction will exceed supply by about 80%. "If you think we are a water rich country, think again. We need to save water . . . full stop!" she said.
Water a luxury
According to Ken Gie, a member of the Garden Route Dam Action Group (Gardag), water should no longer be treated as a cheap and overabundant commodity. "It is becoming a luxury, and you pay more for luxuries."
He said builders should not be using purified water for it just to be mixed with cement. "They should acquire or hire tankers and draw water directly from the dam. Malls should also be forced to construct underground reservoirs as a lot of water can be harvested from the massive roof areas. They can even sell the excess to the municipality for purification. I hope the future development on the Destiny Africa land will implement this."
Furthermore, he said, the food gardens being encouraged by the George Municipality in townships could draw water from the Meul River if Gardag's Meul River project of cleaning up the river and preventing pollution is successful. "The municipality should be in on this too for the sake of the well-being of the citizens."
Another ratepayer pointed out that potable water is required to mix concrete. The quality of water is specified as it affects concrete's strength and durability, which cannot be compromised.
Adv Gert van Niekerk explained on the chat group that load-shedding is impacting the pumping of purified water from the water treatment works.
George Municipality's head of communications, Chantèl Edwards, said the municipality fully agrees that water is scarce and should be used as sparingly as possible, therefore the stricter water restrictions.
The municipality has a programme intended to restrict municipal potable water use for certain activities such as construction. The programme makes provision for the use of raw water or treated effluent for non-potable water purposes. Treated effluent is available for collection, free of charge, from the Gwaiing wastewater treatment works on the airport road (R102). Raw water is available for collection at the new water treatments works in 11th Avenue, Denneoord on weekdays between 08:00 and 16:00. More details are available on the municipality's website, www.george.gov.za, under "notices".
Regarding the Destiny Africa land, now referred to as the Kraaibosch extension area, Edwards said there is no confirmation of the nature of the development to take place there.
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