Dam level rises, but restrictions remain

Update

GEORGE NEWS - The rains over the weekend of 16 December have brought welcome relief, but George Municipality warns that the water supply problem is still with us and the tighter restrictions introduced last week remain applicable.

The dam level rose from 45,8% last week to 57,43% on Monday 19 December after a total of 123mm fell during the preceding seven days.

"It has given us a grace period for which we are thankful. The rainfall improved the current water situation, but it is not resolved," said municipal communications chief Chantèl Edwards.

Most of the week's rain - 73mm as measured at the airport - fell on Friday afternoon and Saturday (16 and 17 December). The municipality received 19 storm water complaints, but no major damage was reported.

CJ Langenhoven Road and Courtenay Street were partially closed for a short period on Friday. Only one weather-related power outage - in Herold's Bay - occurred. Sand bags and gunplast were handed out where needed.

Edwards said preparation for the storm alert had been added to the agenda of the municipality's Festive Monitoring Committee, which helped to keep water damage to a minimum.

"Storm water infrastructure in the usual problematic areas were cleaned days in advance and where possible, damaged infrastructure was repaired in anticipation of potential flooding. The storm water division has followed a stringent programme of cleaning throughout George and surrounds prior to the festive season starting."

On Saturday, Community Services teams started clearing the CBD and beaches of storm debris.

Edwards said the Garden Route as a whole is on alert that raw water sources are being affected by low rainfall. "The public cannot assume that because there is decent rain they can continue to use drinking water indiscriminately. We have no guarantee of what the rainfall patterns will bring over the next few months and we need to conserve what we have received."

Langenhoven Road was partially blocked.

'Follow-up rain and less load shedding needed'

Garden Route District disaster management chief Gerhard Otto said follow-up rain and lower levels of load shedding are needed before any lifting of water restrictions can be considered.

Otto said in response to severe weather warnings, estuaries were breached where necessary to prevent flooding of low-lying areas. "We did have road damage at Geelhoutboom, in the Duiwenhoks area, Kouga area and Rooiberge as well as on the Karatara road, but the roads maintenance teams managed to re-open all these roads to ensure access for emergency services," he said.

"Our biggest challenge was the sand that washed onto the N2 near Great Brak. Sanral (SA National Roads Agency Limited) contractors did clear this, but we flagged the slow response from their contractors to re-open the road as a matter for discussion in the new year."

A sand slide blocked the N2 in the direction of Mossel Bay and caused a traffic jam. Traffic had to be diverted to the R102.

Farmers are grateful

Farmers in the Outeniqualand area are grateful for the rain. Over the weekend, an average of 100mm was measured in the area, according to Philip Terblanche, chairman of the Outeniqua Farmers' Association.

Terblanche said the rain was much needed after only 10mm fell in October and 10mm in November, while the district already had had less than half the normal rainfall for the year.

"The rain was absorbed by the soil so there was no runoff and I have not yet heard of any damage. I think most of the dams received water. We had 20mm the week before, so now we can carry on again for a bit."The Kaaimans River foaming due to water runoff. Photo: Eugene Gunning

Alternative raw water sources

Edwards said George Municipality is exploring alternative raw water sources for the city and will report on planning in this regard in the new year.

Drinking water supply services are currently being impacted by the limited capacity of the water treatment works, but the expansion of the works has started and by 2025, 20Ml of supply capacity will have been added. Current output is also majorly affected by extended Eskom load shedding.

In anticipation of heavy rains, the Touw River mouth was opened up. Photo: Eugene Gunning