Breaking News
GEORGE NEWS - Emergency tariffs and tougher water restrictions are going into immediate effect as the town's main water supply, the Garden Route Dam, dropped to under 45% (44,82%) today, Wednesday 2 August.
The new section 2C restrictions limit household consumption to 15 kilolitres per month.
George Municipal Manager Trevor Botha said while Section 2B water restrictions have been in place since 1 June, water usage figures have dropped only minimally (from 30 megalitres per day in May and June to 28 megalitres in July), and little rain has fallen.
"As the dam level has now below 45% the municipal drought management policy determines that section 2C restrictions come into effect. We hope emergency tariffs will have the desired effect of reducing consumption.”
Households using more than 15 kilolitres a month will be charged extra per kilolitre on an upwards scale for exceeding the monthly quota.
Businesses, entertainment industries and other users, that will be required to reduce consumption by 15%, may be fined and will face additional charges of 1,5 times their tariff.
The implications of Section 2C restrictions include:
• Households are limited to 15 kilolitres per month (flow reducing devices will be installed where limits are exceeded).
• Other users, businesses and entertainment industries must reduce consumption by 15% of their average use over the previous six months. This includes commercial car washes and other businesses dependent on municipal water.
• Large industries must reduce consumption by 10% of their average use over the previous six months.
• Gardens may only be watered using water cans or buckets, any time of the day.
• The irrigation/watering of ALL sportsfields using municipal water is prohibited.
• Washing of vehicles with a garden hose is prohibited. Buckets are allowed.
• Cleaning of any outside surfaces area using a water hose with municipal water is prohibited.
• Filling up of swimming pools with municipal water is prohibited.
• Where own water from a borehole or reservoir is used, "OWN WATER" signage must be displayed, and officials may ask for proof of such.
• Emergency tariffs for users other than households (such as schools, old age homes, etc.) will be 1,5 times more as per their specific published tariff as per the annual municipal tariffs list.
The public is urged to report water leaks, burst pipes and other water-related concerns to the Civil Engineering Department on 044 801 9262 or after hours on 044 801 6300, as soon as they notice them.
Contraventions of water restrictions can be reported on 044 801 6350. Repeat offenders can expect to pay up to R4 000 per offence, depending on the offence, or be jailed for up to six months if found guilty.
Rain predicted
Weather SA is predicting rain for today (30% chance), Friday (60% chance), Saturday (80% chance) and Sunday (30% chance).
Read related articles:
• Residents have to cut water usage
• Stricter water restrictions, higher tariffs underway
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