GEORGE NEWS - George's water situation has improved thanks to the recent rains, but the region remains in drought.
The Garden Route Dam, the town's main water source, is now at 56.9% capacity, up from 43.6% last week after 55mm of rain fell between 11 and 17 February.
Haarlem Dam, which supplies Haarlem and Uniondale, rose to 29% from 20%, following 46mm of rain.
Based on current supply and demand, the municipality estimates enough treatable water for another 23 weeks.
The daily demand is 38.6 million litres, slightly above the target of 38 million litres, so residents are urged to continue saving water.
"The recent rain and its positive impact on both dams are very welcome, but we are not out of the woods yet," said George Mayor Browen Johnson.
"Weather forecasts still indicate above-normal temperatures and below-average rainfall in the months ahead."
26 Desember 2025: The island at the Garden Route Dam, seen from an unusual angle. Photo: Doret Moore
Johnson said water usage remains high. "At the current consumption rate, with hot weather, evaporation and no rainfall, the level of the dam can drop by up to 2% per week."
The director of Civil Engineering Services, Jannie Koegelenberg, said the dam levels will need to rise much higher and stay at a healthy level for at least three months, in line with the drought policy, before any changes can be considered. He added that weather forecasts would also need to show clear improvement before restrictions can be reviewed.
"A short-term improvement is not enough to lift restrictions or emergency tariffs, because conditions can worsen quickly again," Koegelenberg said. "Level 2D water restrictions and level 3 emergency tariffs will therefore remain in place."
The Garden Route Dam on Monday 16 February. Photo: Jeff Ayliffe
The recent rise in dam levels does not mean the national disaster declaration has been lifted. The disaster was declared on 4 February owing to the drought conditions and the risk of water supply interruptions in the Eastern Cape, Western Cape and Northern Cape.
The declaration will stay in place until the National Disaster Management Centre officially withdraws it after reviewing the situation. Until then, all disaster-related measures remain in force.
Meanwhile, George Municipality's Water Management Task Team, which was set up in October last year, continues to meet three times a week to manage and monitor drought interventions.
Residents should continue to report leaks (044 801 9262/66), after-hours emergencies (044 801 6300) or misuse of drinking water (044 801 6350).
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