Overstrand Municipality has implemented water restrictions in Greater Hermanus and Kleinmond.
Both areas’ main water supply is running dry, making water shortage a real threat.
“The only way we can avoid Day Zero is if all residents and visitors join in the savings drive and immediately reduce their consumption,” Dean O’Neill, municipal manager said.
This is because the Palmiet River Raw Water Pump Station is currently not functioning due to flood damage and the plans for the short-term restoration of the water from the De Bos Dam to the Preekstoel Water Treatment Works have proven to be fruitless as the damage to the network is much more extensive.
“The main water line from the dam was severely damaged by floodwaters and so was the secondary line as well as the borehole line from the Hemel and Aarde Wellfields. This means that the only way to restore supply is to fix the main line,” O’Neill said.
“However, as the terrain is difficult to access, the municipality is currently fixing the Camphill road as this is required to access the line on the opposite side of the river. After this, the pipe will have to be fixed which may take up to two days, depending on the conditions on the site that is currently severely waterlogged,” he explained.
According to him the reservoir levels should last for two days if residents use water sparingly.• Water may only be used for cooking and bathing;• Only flush toilets when necessary; • Refrain from using automatic washing machines; • Car washing is prohibited; • Gardens are not allowed to be watered with municipal water;• Swimming pools may not be filled with municipal water; • No hose pipes will be permitted.
The municipality will provide water tankers in the various suburbs in the event that the reservoirs run dry.
“Please stock up on bottled water and assist us in ensuring that the little water we have can last as long as possible until the bulk water supplies have been restored,” O’Neill said.
