GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - Garden Route District Municipality Executive Mayor Andrew Stroebel and Head of Disaster Management Gerhard Otto discussed the region's current water challenges and holiday season preparations in a recent GRDM podcast. Here are some of the key aspects of the discussion.
Current water situation
The Garden Route faces significant water shortages, with the Weather Office predicting 26% less rainfall this summer.
High solidity levels in key rivers, including Goukamma, Curland, and Keurbooms, have severely limited water extraction capabilities for municipalities like Knysna and Sedgefield.
Critical infrastructure status
Garden Route Dam in George: 60% capacity, dropping over 1% weekly
Plettenberg Bay system: 50% capacity (approximately 6 weeks' supply)
Overall dam levels: 30% lower than last year
Knysna and Plettenberg Bay: No bulk storage dams; off-channel dams provide only 3 months' supply when full
Emergency response measures
Otto reported that water tankers have been deployed as temporary relief, though this isn't sustainable long-term. The Provincial Disaster Management Centre has been informed and requested to convene emergency meetings with all district municipalities to assess existing contingency plans.
Water augmentation strategy
The municipality is revisiting water augmentation measures originally developed in 2010, focusing on:
Securing additional water sources for local municipalities
Developing new boreholes
Clearing alien vegetation to increase water availability and reduce fire risk
Implementing water abstraction restrictions for agriculture and local use
Funding and partnerships
Officials are engaging with the Breede-Gouritz Catchment Management Agency and Department of Water and Sanitation for assistance and to enquire about funding for these critical augmentation projects.
Holiday season assurance
Despite challenges, Stroebel emphasised there's no reason for alarm. The GRDM is planning proactively to ensure a successful holiday season while welcoming tourists.
Otto reminded everyone that the Garden Route is a water-scarce region, urging responsible water usage from residents and visitors alike.
The municipality remains committed to maintaining uninterrupted services during the busy holiday period through comprehensive contingency planning.
‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’
