KOUGA – Kouga Local Municipality has taken a decisive step to safeguard its water future, with Council approving a revised Drought Mitigation Plan while intensifying water restrictions and conservation measures across the region.
The updated plan responds to ongoing operational challenges and follows the declaration of the current drought as a disaster by the National Disaster Management Centre on 31 January 2026.
It builds on interventions introduced since the 2021 drought plan and is aimed at strengthening water security, improving risk management, and aligning mitigation strategies with the municipality’s current capacity and long-term objectives.
Key interventions outlined in the plan include the development and expansion of groundwater sources, rehabilitation of existing boreholes, upgrades to water treatment works, enhanced leak detection and monitoring, and the implementation of emergency water carting where necessary.
Priority areas identified for intervention include Patensie, Hankey, Loerie, Thornhill, Jeffreys Bay, Humansdorp and St Francis Bay.
The plan also places strong emphasis on public awareness, water conservation, and demand management to reduce pressure on potable water supplies.
Funding requirements for the implementation of these measures are estimated at R36.2 million, primarily directed towards infrastructure upgrades, groundwater development, and securing emergency supplies.
Kouga Speaker, Lorraine Maree, said the approval of the revised plan marked an important milestone in the municipality’s response to ongoing drought conditions.
“The revised Drought Mitigation Plan is a vital step in ensuring that our communities continue to have access to safe and reliable water, even during challenging conditions.
“It reflects Council’s commitment to proactive planning, sustainable resource management, and the well-being of every resident in Kouga,” she explained.
In parallel with the adoption of the plan, Kouga has intensified water restrictions following directives from the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) affecting allocations from the Kouga, Churchill, and Impofu dams. Although these restrictions are still pending publication in the Government Gazette, they have been in effect since 1 November 2025.
The prolonged drought in the Eastern Cape has significantly reduced dam levels.
To manage the constrained supply, a 10% restriction has been imposed on domestic allocations from the Kouga Dam, while a 25% restriction applies to domestic allocations from the Kromme system, which includes the Churchill and Impofu dams.
Should storage levels in the Kromme system fall below 35%, Part C tariffs will be implemented.
The municipality is also rolling out an intensified public awareness campaign to encourage responsible water use.
Residents are being urged to adopt water-saving practices and avoid excessive consumption.
Strict monitoring and enforcement of restrictions will continue as the municipality works to protect its limited water resources.
Residents are encouraged to play their part in conserving water while Kouga explores additional supply options to mitigate the impact of the ongoing drought.
