GEORGE NEWS - The construction of one of two 16,5 million liters (ML) new bulk potable water storage reservoirs in George will begin "in the near future".
Studies undertaken through the George Municipality Water Master Plan have identified the need for an additional 33 ML of storage capacity to ensure sufficient water during peak demand periods, maintenance activities and emergencies.
The construction is pending statutory planning processes, environmental approvals and budgetary provisions.
The other 16,5 ML reservoir will be built "as future demand and growth requires".
George Municipality says the reservoirs will significantly strengthen the municipality's long-term water security ensuring a reliable water supply for a growing population.
The reservoirs will be built on rezoned 12 000 m² municipal land west of the existing bulk storage reservoirs at the Garden Route Dam, above the new water treatment works in Denneoord.
The municipality's existing bulk potable water reservoirs currently provide approximately 43,6 ML of storage, equating to about 40 hours of supply under current demand conditions.
The Civil Engineering Services Directorate is in the detailed design phase of the project and is also obtaining the necessary environmental authorisations.
Did you know?
The capacity of the Garden Route Dam is 12,5 million cubic meters (m³) - 1 million m³ is roughly the volume of Cape Town DHL Stadium filled to the top, so George's supply dam would fill 12 and a half of these stadiums to the brim.
To put this in perspective, the massive stadium has a standard seating capacity of 55 000, but can hold up to 70 000 people for large-scale concerts by adding extra pitch-side seating.
If it was a storage tank, Cape Town DHL Stadium would hold 1 million m³ water. Photo: dhlstadium.co.za
At the start of this week, on Monday 20 July, the dam was 95,54% full, dropping 4,46% in six weeks since it started to overflow on 4 June following severe rain in the Southern Cape and Klein-Karoo.
At the moment the dam's supply is enough for 42 weeks and the current daily water use in George is 34,5 million litres, well below the target of 36 million litres per day.
The 12,5 m³ capacity of the dam refers to water that can be pumped and treated for domestic use - water below the treatment level is excluded in this number.
Mayor a man with a plan
Mayor Browen Johnson welcomed the Council's approvals of the new reservoirs, describing it as an important investment in George's future.
"While recent rainfall has brought welcome relief to our water supply system, responsible municipalities must continue planning.
"George continues to grow, and we must ensure that our infrastructure keeps pace with that growth," Johnson said.
Reinforced steel work used in the construction of a municipal bulk water reservoir. Photo for illustrative purposes only.
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