Dam level drops while water usage ups

Update

GEORGE NEWS - A busy holiday season is being expected for George, and will also be welcomed by the business sector, but there are concerns about water consumption that started increasing at the beginning of November while the Garden Route Dam level (taken on 21 November) has dropped to 51,88% (for the new raised dam wall height).

"The dam was 100% full this time last year after flooding events, and the level has steadily declined since then due to poor rainfall," says George Mayor Leon van Wyk.

"The catchment area of George received a much lower than predicted rainfall with a total of only 117,2mm recorded from 1 July to 14 November. Predictions by the South African Weather Service for the Garden Route for the next three months (December to February) currently remain uncertain, but not positive."

Limit of 15 kilolitres per household

To curb the excess use of drinking water, the George Council last week tabled stricter water restrictions for George. Residents have been requested to provide their inputs before 12 December.

These restrictions are specific to the George city area, and do not include Uniondale and Haarlem.

In short, the most important differences to the current restriction to take note of are:

• Every household is now limited to using 15 kilolitres of water per month. Emergency tariffs will be charged for any household which uses more than 15kl.

• Businesses dependent on municipal water, including commercial car washes must reduce their use of water by 15% of their past six-month average.

• Large industries must reduce their use of municipal water by 10% of their past six-month average.

• Gardens can be watered any time of the day but only with watering cans or buckets. No hosepipes are allowed.

• The irrigation or watering of ALL sport fields using municipal water is prohibited.

• Washing of vehicles with a garden hose is prohibited. Only buckets are allowed.

• Cleaning of any outside surface areas using a water hose is prohibited.

• Filling up of swimming pools with municipal water is prohibited.

Applications for exemption can be submitted to the Deputy Director: Water for consideration.

Those making use of their own water must display a visible sign stating "Own Water".

Please visit www.george.gov.za for the full list of proposed restrictions.

Why water restrictions?

In addition to the low dam level and negative rainfall forecast, the ongoing load-shedding has also had a negative impact on the ability to treat raw water (despite the use of generators), reducing the reliability of daily treatment volumes.

The existing water treatment works cannot meet peak demands and is increasingly under pressure. The new 20Ml extension to the capacity of the works will only be completed in the next three years.

A temporary water treatment package plant will be installed to supplement potable water with an extra 5Ml/day.

"This will be operational from mid-December and provide much-needed additional capacity to meet the peak season demand, however there remains a high risk of not being able to meet the full demand. If demand is not managed, new growth and development and peak seasons cannot be accommodated."

Immediately reduce usage

Van Wyk appeals to all households to immediately reduce their water usage to no more than 15KL per month to adhere to the new water restrictions.

"At present, we only have four to five months' supply of water left in our dam, and in addition there is limited water treatment capacity. Our usage has grown dramatically this past year and our residents now need to assist to conserve our water supplies. We also desperately need rain to increase the level of our dam. Please share this message widely to help save water," he says.

Public participation process

Follow this link to find the proposed water restrictions and the applicable emergency tariffs.

Your comments can be emailed to Sam Gcagcaso at sgcagcaso@george.gov.za, or delivered as a handwritten submission on weekdays (07:45 -16:30) to the Department of Civil Engineering Services, Old Town Hall, corner of Market and York streets, and by no later than 16:30 on 12 December.

The information will also be placed in the form of notices at public libraries, area offices, municipal offices and the municipal notice boards.

Report contraventions of the current water restrictions on 0800 4244 77. Fines apply.
Report all water leaks on 044 801 9262/66 or a/h on 044 801 6300.

Photo: Kristy Kolberg