KOUGA – Kouga Local Municipality is urging all residents to reduce their water consumption with immediate effect as dam levels in the Algoa Water Supply System continue to decline.
New water restrictions proposed by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) are expected to come into effect in the coming weeks.
The appeal follows DWS’s intention to impose restrictions on the municipality’s approved water quotas due to rapidly decreasing levels at the Kouga, Churchill, Impofu and Loerie Dams, which form part of the Algoa Water Supply System.
These dams are managed by the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro on behalf of DWS.
As of 3 February, the combined dam levels had dropped to 43.41%, of which 8.99% constitutes dead storage, significantly reducing the usable supply.
READ MORE: Water shortages plague Kareedouw residents for days
As a result of the anticipated DWS restrictions, Kouga will be permitted to abstract less water from its main supply dams, with the following limits proposed:
- A 25% restriction on the Churchill and Impofu Dams.
- A 10% restriction on the Kouga and Loerie Dams.
Once formally proclaimed in the Government Gazette, the restrictions will become legally enforceable. In the interim, residents are being urgently requested to start conserving water immediately, even before formal enforcement comes into effect.
Kouga Executive Mayor Hattingh Bornman said, “These restrictions mean that less water is available for daily use.”
“Ideally, we need every resident to reduce their usage to 50 litres per person per day.”
Drought classified as national disaster
According to the municipality, the current drought affecting the Kouga region has been classified as a national disaster.
While this classification determines who manages the disaster, it does not automatically unlock funding.
A formal disaster declaration is required for exceptional powers and funding to be activated.
“This means we cannot rely on emergency funding,” said Bornman.
“Water saving by residents remains our most powerful and immediate tool.”
Mitigation measures underway and under consideration
To mitigate the impact of the drought, the municipality is implementing and considering several interventions, including:
- Reducing system losses through leak detection, pressure management and timeous repairs.
- Intensifying water conservation and demand management campaigns.
- Adjusting groundwater abstraction in line with DWS directives.
- Expanding the use of alternative water sources, including boreholes and emergency transfers.
- Protecting critical supply to hospitals, clinics, fire services and other essential users, including the possible implementation of water shedding.
Additional long-term measures under consideration include the development of new boreholes in Jeffreys Bay and Humansdorp and the upgrade of the Hankey (Soetkloof) pipeline.
“Water security is a shared responsibility,” Bornman said.
“Every litre saved today helps protect the supply tomorrow. We appeal to all residents to fix leaks, shorten showers, limit outdoor water use and make water-wise choices in everything they do.”
ALSO READ: City of Cape Town warns of water levels at new lows
You must be logged in to post a comment.