George Municipality has escalated its water demand management measures to Level 2C with immediate effect, as the Garden Route Dam continues its concerning decline to 47% capacity. The decision, approved during last weeks special council meeting, comes at a critical time as the region braces for increased water consumption during the Christmas holiday period.
The timing couldn’t be more challenging for the Garden Route region. As one of South Africa’s premier holiday destinations, the area typically experiences a significant influx of visitors during the festive season, placing additional strain on already stretched water resources. This seasonal surge in visitors and water demand threatens to accelerate the dam’s decline during what is already a critical period.
Councillor Donovan Gultig, Mayco Member for Civil Engineering Services, highlighted the severity of the situation when presenting the matter to Council.
“Despite ongoing appeals and awareness campaigns, water consumption remains high, and non-compliance is increasing, while below-normal rainfall has placed the city’s water supply under significant pressure,” he said.
The Garden Route Dam has been experiencing a rapid decline and forecasts indicate this downward trend will continue as the region enters peak holiday season.
Executive Mayor Browen Johnson stated that voluntary measures are no longer sufficient. “We are entering a critical period. The dam is dropping by up to 2% per week, and seasonal demand will push the system even harder. I urge every resident, business, and visitor to use water sparingly,” Mayor Johnson warned.
What level 2C restrictions mean
The new Level 2C measures build upon existing level 2B restrictions with additional mandatory reductions and prohibitions:
Residential sector:
- Households limited to 15 kilolitres per month
- No hosing of structures, roofs, or paved areas using municipal water
- Flow-reducing devices may be installed for non-compliance (installation costs borne by offenders, except indigent households)
Business and industry:
- Businesses and entertainment facilities must reduce consumption by 25% (based on past six-month average)
- Industries must reduce consumption by 15%
- Car wash businesses prohibited from hosepipe use unless using non-potable or alternative water sources
Future restrictions (when dam reaches 25%):
- Irrigation of sports fields with potable water prohibited
- Public swimming pools may not be filled with potable water
Construction sector:
- No potable water permitted for construction purposes
- Contractors may apply to collect treated effluent from Gwaiing Wastewater Treatment Works
- Raw water supply point planned at Wilderness Water Treatment Works
The restrictions currently apply to George only and do not affect Uniondale or Haarlem.
Holiday season challenges
The implementation of these stricter measures coincides with one of the most challenging periods for water management in the region. The Garden Route’s popularity as a holiday destination means accommodation facilities, restaurants, entertainment venues, and residential properties typically see dramatically increased water usage during the Christmas period.
This seasonal surge, combined with the already concerning dam levels and below-normal rainfall patterns, creates a perfect storm for the region’s water security. Tourism operators and holiday accommodation providers will need to implement immediate water-saving measures while managing increased guest numbers.
The municipality has announced enhanced monitoring of high-use consumers, intensified public awareness campaigns, and deployment of additional maintenance teams to fast-track leak repairs.
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