THE Beyers Naudé Local Municipality convened a meeting with stakeholders last Wednesday in Graaff-Reinet in which the water crisis was one of the biggest talking points.
Mayor Deon de Vos informed attendees about the current state of the municipality, and was candid about the vast financial and strategic challenges being faced.
Ivor Berrington, director of engineering, explained the municipality’s current frustrations with the town’s boreholes.
“We have 30 boreholes, 28 of which are working. They are simply not able to keep up with the present demand for water.
“In winter months, we need about 7.7 million litres per day, but we fall approximately 1.7 million litres short.
“This shortfall will, of course, increase as we approach summer, during which we need about 12 million litres of water daily,” Berrington said.
He stressed that residents must do everything in their power to use water sparingly.
Although BNLM initially seemed to maintain quite an apathetic attitude toward Gift of the Givers’ presence in town, the two parties have been able to clear the air.
De Vos again extended a hearty welcome to the humanitarian organisation, and thanked them for their efforts to alleviate the water crisis in Graaff-Reinet.
GOTG hydrologist, Dr Gideon Groenewald, assured the meeting that there was indeed enough underground water to see the town through the drought.
“The secret, however, is in locating and effectively drilling into the very restricted linear fractures that potentially hold water,” Groenewald said.
He reassured stakeholders that the use of residential boreholes could not have a significant impact on the town’s underground water stores.
Based on current meteorological patterns, Groenewald said it was possible for the drought to prevail for another two years.
