{"id":296764,"date":"2026-04-20T09:14:41","date_gmt":"2026-04-20T07:14:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/?p=296764"},"modified":"2026-04-20T09:14:43","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T07:14:43","slug":"kouga-strengthens-water-security-with-revised-drought-mitigation-plan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/kouga-strengthens-water-security-with-revised-drought-mitigation-plan\/","title":{"rendered":"Kouga strengthens water security with revised Drought Mitigation Plan"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

KOUGA<\/strong> – 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Priority areas identified for intervention include Patensie, Hankey, Loerie, Thornhill, Jeffreys Bay, Humansdorp and St Francis Bay.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The plan also places strong emphasis on public awareness, water conservation, and demand management to reduce pressure on potable water supplies. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kouga Speaker, Lorraine Maree, said the approval of the revised plan marked an important milestone in the municipality’s response to ongoing drought conditions. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“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. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“It reflects Council’s commitment to proactive planning, sustainable resource management, and the well-being of every resident in Kouga,” she explained.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The prolonged drought in the Eastern Cape has significantly reduced dam levels. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should storage levels in the Kromme system fall below 35%, Part C tariffs will be implemented.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The municipality is also rolling out an intensified public awareness campaign to encourage responsible water use. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Residents are being urged to adopt water-saving practices and avoid excessive consumption.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strict monitoring and enforcement of restrictions will continue as the municipality works to protect its limited water resources. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Residents are encouraged to play their part in conserving water while Kouga explores additional supply options to mitigate the impact of the ongoing drought.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Kouga Local Municipality takes decisive action to safeguard water future, with Council approving revised Drought Mitigation Plan and intensifying restrictions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":296822,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_linkdex":"71","_yoast_wpseo_content_score":"30","_yoast_wpseo_inclusive_language_score":"90","_yoast_wpseo_is_cornerstone":"","_yoast_wpseo_canonical":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image-id":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image-id":"","newspack_ads_suppress_ads":false,"newspack_sponsor_sponsorship_scope":"","newspack_sponsor_native_byline_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_native_category_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_style":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_placement":"inherit","_crsspst_to_novanewscoza":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozabloemnewsexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozacityvision":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozadistrictmailhelderberg":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaeikestadnuus":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozahermanustimes":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozakomani-karoo":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozamthathaexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozanoordkaapbulletin":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozapaarlpost":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozapeexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozapeoplespost":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaswartlandgazette":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozatygerburger":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaudexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozavistanews":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozavrystaatkroon":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaweskusnuus":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaweslander":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaworcesterstandard":false,"_EventAllDay":"","_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":"","_EventShowMapLink":"","_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":"","_EventVenueID":"","_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":"","_VenueShowMapLink":"","_application":"","_batch_id":"","_company_name":"","_company_tagline":"","_company_twitter":"","_company_video":"","_company_website":"","_custom_id":"","_EventDuration":"","_EventOrigin":"","_EventTimezoneAbbr":"","_featured":"","_filled":"","_job_expires":"","_job_location":"","_media_credit":"","_media_credit_url":"","_menu_item_menu_item_parent":"","_menu_item_object":"","_menu_item_object_id":"","_menu_item_target":"","_menu_item_type":"","_menu_item_url":"","_menu_item_xfn":"","_navis_media_can_distribute":"","_navis_media_credit_org":"","_OrganizerOrigin":"","_provider":"","_pum_built_in":"","_pum_default_theme":"","_pum_form_conversion_count":"","_remote_id":"","_remote_name":"","_remote_position":"","_report_frequency":"","_report_reference_dates":"","_send_attempts":"","_site_id":"","_sitemap_exclude":"","_sitemap_frequency":"","_sitemap_priority":"","_source_url":"","_subscription_period":"","_subscription_period_interval":"","_subscription_price":"","_tec_slr_enabled":"","_tec_slr_layout":"","_template_type":"","_ticket_end_date":"","_ticket_start_date":"","_tribe_aggregator_allow_multiple_organizers":"","_tribe_aggregator_content_type":"","_tribe_aggregator_file":"","_tribe_aggregator_finalized":"","_tribe_aggregator_hash":"","_tribe_aggregator_import_id":"","_tribe_aggregator_import_name":"","_tribe_aggregator_interactive":"","_tribe_aggregator_origin":"","_tribe_aggregator_post_status":"","_tribe_aggregator_preview":"","_tribe_aggregator_source_name":"","_tribe_aggregator_type":"","_tribe_default_ticket_provider":"","_tribe_hide_attendees_list":"","_tribe_rsvp_for_event":"","_tribe_ticket_capacity":"","_tribe_ticket_header":"","_tribe_ticket_show_description":"","_tribe_ticket_show_not_going":"","_tribe_ticket_version":"","_type":"","_VenueOrigin":"","_wp_attachment_context":"","_wp_attachment_image_alt":"","_wp_font_face_file":"","_wp_old_date":"2026-04-16","_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes":"3","_yoast_wpseo_focuskeywords":"","_yoast_wpseo_focuskw_text_input":"","_yoast_wpseo_keywordsynonyms":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_block-catalog":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":"1","_yoast_wpseo_primary_job_listing_type":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_nova_retailer":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_publication":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_tribe_events_cat":"","_yoast_wpseo_videositemap-duration":"","_yoast_wpseo_videositemap-rating":"","_menu_item_classes":[],"_tribe_modified_fields":[],"_wp_attachment_backup_sizes":[],"_wp_suggested_privacy_policy_content":[],"_yoast_post_redirect_info":[],"_yoast_wpseo_video_meta":[],"activation_date":"","archive_insertion_is_repeating":"","archive_insertion_posts_count":"","article_feature_media":"","article_feature_type":"","article_main_image_caption":"","article_media_icon":"","article_template":"","author_byline":"","background_color":"","block_editor":"1","byline":"","cmplz_hide_cookiebanner":"","competition_end_date":"","contact_advertise_email":"","contact_advertise_phone":"","contact_editorial_email":"","contact_general_email":"","contact_general_phone":"","contact_office_hours":"","contact_physical_address":"","enabled":"","featured_image_custom_caption":"","featured_video_url":"","fields":"","font_body":"","font_header":"","frequency":"","headline":"Kouga strengthens water security with revised Drought Mitigation Plan","hide_border":"","icon":"","is_wp_suggestion":"","issuu_download_url":"","issuu_embed_url":"","language_version_url":"","large_border":"","name":"","nm_contact_name":"","nm_contact_number":"","nm_date_lost":"","no_overlay_background":"","node-url":"","obituary_born_date":"","obituary_died_date":"","obituary_memoriam_text":"","origin":"","overlay_color":"","overlay_opacity":"","overlay_size":"","placement":"","plural_label":"","post_author":"","post_id":"","post_language":"en","secret-key":"","sponsored_utm_campaign":"","sponsored_utm_content":"","sponsored_utm_medium":"","sponsored_utm_source":"","sponsored_utm_term":"","start_date":"","utm_suppression":"","video_embed_url":"","wp_pattern_sync_status":"","data_version":[],"enclosure":[],"pongrass_image":[],"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_newspack_byline_active":false,"_newspack_byline":"","newspack_content_restriction_is_exempt":false,"scaip_prevent_shortcode_addition":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[91],"newspack_spnsrs_tax":[],"publication":[],"class_list":["post-296764","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-top"],"yoast_head":"\nKouga strengthens water security with revised Drought Mitigation Plan | Kouga Express<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover how Kouga strengthens water security through innovative strategies and effective management practices.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/kouga-strengthens-water-security-with-revised-drought-mitigation-plan\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Kouga strengthens water security with revised Drought Mitigation Plan\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Discover how Kouga strengthens water security through innovative strategies and effective management practices.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/kouga-strengthens-water-security-with-revised-drought-mitigation-plan\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Kouga Express\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/PEExpress1\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-04-20T07:14:41+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-04-20T07:14:43+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/kaboompics-tap-791172.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2560\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1707\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Kouga Express\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Kouga Express\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/kouga-strengthens-water-security-with-revised-drought-mitigation-plan\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/kouga-strengthens-water-security-with-revised-drought-mitigation-plan\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Kouga Express\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/d1ca9a7485fc5ec64ff4daf5b9e211aa\"},\"headline\":\"Kouga strengthens water security with revised Drought Mitigation Plan\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-20T07:14:41+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-20T07:14:43+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/kouga-strengthens-water-security-with-revised-drought-mitigation-plan\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":454,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/kouga-strengthens-water-security-with-revised-drought-mitigation-plan\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/04\\\/kaboompics-tap-791172.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Top\"],\"articleSection\":[\"News\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/kouga-strengthens-water-security-with-revised-drought-mitigation-plan\\\/#respond\"]}],\"copyrightYear\":\"2026\",\"copyrightHolder\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/#organization\"}},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/kouga-strengthens-water-security-with-revised-drought-mitigation-plan\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/kouga-strengthens-water-security-with-revised-drought-mitigation-plan\\\/\",\"name\":\"Kouga strengthens water security with revised Drought Mitigation Plan | Kouga Express\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/kouga-strengthens-water-security-with-revised-drought-mitigation-plan\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/kouga-strengthens-water-security-with-revised-drought-mitigation-plan\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/04\\\/kaboompics-tap-791172.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-20T07:14:41+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-20T07:14:43+00:00\",\"description\":\"Discover how Kouga strengthens water security through innovative strategies and effective management practices.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/kouga-strengthens-water-security-with-revised-drought-mitigation-plan\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/kouga-strengthens-water-security-with-revised-drought-mitigation-plan\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/kouga-strengthens-water-security-with-revised-drought-mitigation-plan\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/04\\\/kaboompics-tap-791172.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/04\\\/kaboompics-tap-791172.jpg\",\"width\":2560,\"height\":1707,\"caption\":\"Joubertina residents show resilience after floods, service disruptions and R62 closure. PHOTO: Pixabay\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/kouga-strengthens-water-security-with-revised-drought-mitigation-plan\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"News\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/news\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Kouga strengthens water security with revised Drought Mitigation Plan\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/\",\"name\":\"Kouga Express\",\"description\":\"To Inform, Engage and Empower Local Communities\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Kouga Express\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/kouga-express-site-icon-1.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/kouga-express-site-icon-1.png\",\"width\":512,\"height\":512,\"caption\":\"Kouga Express\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/PEExpress1\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/express_newspapers\\\/\"],\"description\":\"Kouga Express has been the eyes, ears, and voice of the Kouga area since 2004. Established with the goal of keeping the Kouga and Koukamma communities informed, we have grown into one of the most trusted local news sources in the region, with 20,000 free copies delivered mostly door to door every week. Kouga Express\u2019 distribution area includes Jeffreys Bay, Humansdorp, St. Francis Bay, Cape St. Francis, Aston Bay, Patensie, Hankey, Storms River, Tsitsikamma, Misgund, Joubertina, Krakeelrivier, Louterwater, Kareedouw, and Uniondale.\",\"email\":\"kougaexpress@novusmedia.co.za\",\"telephone\":\"042-992 5650\",\"legalName\":\"Novus Media (Pty) Ltd\",\"foundingDate\":\"2025-01-01\",\"vatID\":\"4100318916\",\"taxID\":\"2000\\\/018234\\\/07\",\"numberOfEmployees\":{\"@type\":\"QuantitativeValue\",\"minValue\":\"51\",\"maxValue\":\"200\"}},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/d1ca9a7485fc5ec64ff4daf5b9e211aa\",\"name\":\"Kouga Express\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/f47e9234fbd437508ffebc42bafee4a1f7b8b5fc5b5e58a3881ac4edc0688cdd?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/f47e9234fbd437508ffebc42bafee4a1f7b8b5fc5b5e58a3881ac4edc0688cdd?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/f47e9234fbd437508ffebc42bafee4a1f7b8b5fc5b5e58a3881ac4edc0688cdd?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Kouga Express\"},\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/author\\\/kougaexpress\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Kouga strengthens water security with revised Drought Mitigation Plan | Kouga Express","description":"Discover how Kouga strengthens water security through innovative strategies and effective management practices.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/kouga-strengthens-water-security-with-revised-drought-mitigation-plan\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Kouga strengthens water security with revised Drought Mitigation Plan","og_description":"Discover how Kouga strengthens water security through innovative strategies and effective management practices.","og_url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/kouga-strengthens-water-security-with-revised-drought-mitigation-plan\/","og_site_name":"Kouga Express","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/PEExpress1\/","article_published_time":"2026-04-20T07:14:41+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-04-20T07:14:43+00:00","og_image":[{"width":2560,"height":1707,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/kaboompics-tap-791172.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Kouga Express","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Kouga Express","Est. reading time":"3 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/kouga-strengthens-water-security-with-revised-drought-mitigation-plan\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/kouga-strengthens-water-security-with-revised-drought-mitigation-plan\/"},"author":{"name":"Kouga Express","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/#\/schema\/person\/d1ca9a7485fc5ec64ff4daf5b9e211aa"},"headline":"Kouga strengthens water security with revised Drought Mitigation Plan","datePublished":"2026-04-20T07:14:41+00:00","dateModified":"2026-04-20T07:14:43+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/kouga-strengthens-water-security-with-revised-drought-mitigation-plan\/"},"wordCount":454,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/kouga-strengthens-water-security-with-revised-drought-mitigation-plan\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/kaboompics-tap-791172.jpg","keywords":["Top"],"articleSection":["News"],"inLanguage":"en-ZA","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/kouga-strengthens-water-security-with-revised-drought-mitigation-plan\/#respond"]}],"copyrightYear":"2026","copyrightHolder":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/#organization"}},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/kouga-strengthens-water-security-with-revised-drought-mitigation-plan\/","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/kouga-strengthens-water-security-with-revised-drought-mitigation-plan\/","name":"Kouga strengthens water security with revised Drought Mitigation Plan | Kouga Express","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/kouga-strengthens-water-security-with-revised-drought-mitigation-plan\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/kouga-strengthens-water-security-with-revised-drought-mitigation-plan\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/kaboompics-tap-791172.jpg","datePublished":"2026-04-20T07:14:41+00:00","dateModified":"2026-04-20T07:14:43+00:00","description":"Discover how Kouga strengthens water security through innovative strategies and effective management practices.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/kouga-strengthens-water-security-with-revised-drought-mitigation-plan\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-ZA","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/kouga-strengthens-water-security-with-revised-drought-mitigation-plan\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-ZA","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/kouga-strengthens-water-security-with-revised-drought-mitigation-plan\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/kaboompics-tap-791172.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/kaboompics-tap-791172.jpg","width":2560,"height":1707,"caption":"Joubertina residents show resilience after floods, service disruptions and R62 closure. PHOTO: Pixabay"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/kouga-strengthens-water-security-with-revised-drought-mitigation-plan\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"News","item":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/news\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Kouga strengthens water security with revised Drought Mitigation Plan"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/#website","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/","name":"Kouga Express","description":"To Inform, Engage and Empower Local Communities","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-ZA"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/#organization","name":"Kouga Express","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-ZA","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/kouga-express-site-icon-1.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/kouga-express-site-icon-1.png","width":512,"height":512,"caption":"Kouga Express"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/PEExpress1\/","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/express_newspapers\/"],"description":"Kouga Express has been the eyes, ears, and voice of the Kouga area since 2004. Established with the goal of keeping the Kouga and Koukamma communities informed, we have grown into one of the most trusted local news sources in the region, with 20,000 free copies delivered mostly door to door every week. Kouga Express\u2019 distribution area includes Jeffreys Bay, Humansdorp, St. Francis Bay, Cape St. Francis, Aston Bay, Patensie, Hankey, Storms River, Tsitsikamma, Misgund, Joubertina, Krakeelrivier, Louterwater, Kareedouw, and Uniondale.","email":"kougaexpress@novusmedia.co.za","telephone":"042-992 5650","legalName":"Novus Media (Pty) Ltd","foundingDate":"2025-01-01","vatID":"4100318916","taxID":"2000\/018234\/07","numberOfEmployees":{"@type":"QuantitativeValue","minValue":"51","maxValue":"200"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/#\/schema\/person\/d1ca9a7485fc5ec64ff4daf5b9e211aa","name":"Kouga Express","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-ZA","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f47e9234fbd437508ffebc42bafee4a1f7b8b5fc5b5e58a3881ac4edc0688cdd?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f47e9234fbd437508ffebc42bafee4a1f7b8b5fc5b5e58a3881ac4edc0688cdd?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f47e9234fbd437508ffebc42bafee4a1f7b8b5fc5b5e58a3881ac4edc0688cdd?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Kouga Express"},"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/author\/kougaexpress\/"}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/kaboompics-tap-791172.jpg","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":296380,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/kouga-seeks-churchill-impofu-dam-transfer-amid-water-crisis\/","url_meta":{"origin":296764,"position":0},"title":"Kouga seeks Churchill, Impofu dam transfer amid water crisis","author":"Kouga Express","date":"19 March 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Kouga Municipality requests increased water allocation and transfer of Churchill and Impofu dam management from Nelson Mandela Bay.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Kouga Municipality has formally requested increased water allocation and the transfer of Churchill and Impofu dam management from Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, citing serious concerns over significant water losses and allegedly inefficient dam management during the current severe drought crisis.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/churchill-dam.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/churchill-dam.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/churchill-dam.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/churchill-dam.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/churchill-dam.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/churchill-dam.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":295773,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/kouga-urges-immediate-water-saving-as-dam-levels-decline-rapidly\/","url_meta":{"origin":296764,"position":1},"title":"Kouga urges immediate water saving as dam levels decline rapidly","author":"Kouga Express","date":"6 February 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Kouga Municipality urges all residents to reduce water consumption immediately as Algoa Water Supply System dam levels continue declining.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"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.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/gallery-ds-X_tEarX6svc-unsplash-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/gallery-ds-X_tEarX6svc-unsplash-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/gallery-ds-X_tEarX6svc-unsplash-1.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/gallery-ds-X_tEarX6svc-unsplash-1.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/gallery-ds-X_tEarX6svc-unsplash-1.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/gallery-ds-X_tEarX6svc-unsplash-1.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":48732,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/drought-projects-to-secure-additional-water-20220622\/","url_meta":{"origin":296764,"position":2},"title":"Drought projects to secure additional water","author":"Kouga Express","date":"23 June 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Kouga Municipality expressed its gratitude to all residents who were at the forefront of the call to save water, but there are still drought-stricken Kouga residents who do not realise how scarce the region\u2019s water resources are.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":50271,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/adjustment-budget-to-make-provision-for-drought-projects-20210908-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":296764,"position":3},"title":"Adjustment budget to make provision for drought projects","author":"Kouga Express","date":"9 September 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"AS the ongoing drought continues to grip the Kouga region, the Kouga Municipality council adjusted its capital budget on Monday, September 6, to prevent taps from running dry.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":47164,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/drought-mitigation-worth-r7-million-invested-20230510\/","url_meta":{"origin":296764,"position":4},"title":"Drought mitigation worth R7 million invested","author":"Kouga Express","date":"18 May 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"The Kouga Windfarm Community Development Trust, in collaboration with the Kouga Local Municipality and the Department of Basic Education \u2013 Kouga District, has committed to investing over R7 million towards an initiative to mitigate against the impact of water shortages.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/4921d95e4c324d81bbb284937e18416e.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/4921d95e4c324d81bbb284937e18416e.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/4921d95e4c324d81bbb284937e18416e.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/4921d95e4c324d81bbb284937e18416e.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":48850,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/new-five-year-development-plan-gets-the-nod-20220601\/","url_meta":{"origin":296764,"position":5},"title":"New five-year development plan gets the nod","author":"Kouga Express","date":"2 June 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Kouga Municipality\u2019s Integrated Development Plan for the period 2022-2027 was approved unanimously by council on Tuesday, May 31.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"Kouga Express","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/296764","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/20"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=296764"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/296764\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/296822"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=296764"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=296764"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=296764"},{"taxonomy":"newspack_spnsrs_tax","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/newspack_spnsrs_tax?post=296764"},{"taxonomy":"publication","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/publication?post=296764"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}