With meteorologists warning of a hotter and drier summer ahead, municipalities across the Western Cape have begun tightening water restrictions in an effort to safeguard supplies before peak demand sets in.
Jonathan delange / Unsplash
The move follows updated seasonal forecasts and comes as towns prepare for increased pressure on water systems during the festive period.
The measures were outlined over the weekend by Western Cape Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning Anton Bredell, following warnings from the South African Weather Service about difficult seasonal conditions, according to NovaNews.
Bredell emphasised that municipalities carry the responsibility of managing their systems carefully, from storage and water quality to fixing leaks and maintaining infrastructure.
‘We cannot control the weather, but we can control how we manage the water resources available to us,’ the minister said, adding that sound infrastructure management is essential to ensure a reliable water supply depends on adequate storage, safe water quality, and a leak-free distribution network.
Information from NovaNews indicates that seven towns are currently considered the most vulnerable in terms of water security.
Knysna, Calitzdorp, Van Wyksdorp, Ladismith, Zoar, Witsand, Dysselsdorp and De Rust have been flagged through ongoing monitoring by the provincial Department of Local Government.
Two of these towns, Dysselsdorp and De Rust, are now operating under the toughest Level 6 restrictions. These typically come with strict limits, including bans on garden watering, car washing and filling swimming pools.
Several other towns, including popular holiday destinations, have moved to Level 4 restrictions just as the December tourism season gathers momentum. Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, Kurland Village, Nature’s Valley, Witsand, Calitzdorp, Van Wyksdorp, Ladismith and Zoar are all required to significantly rein in consumption during what is usually a high-demand period.
Further inland, Level 3 restrictions apply in areas such as Swellendam, Beaufort West, Albertinia, Heidelberg, Slangrivier and Jongensfontein.
Meanwhile, George, a major tourism hub, along with Gouritsmond, Stilbaai, Melkhoutfontein and Riversdale, remains under Level 2 restrictions.
Even towns with relatively stable supplies have not been left out. Lamberts Bay, Citrusdal, Robertson, Ashton, Montagu, Bonnievale, McGregor, Worcester, Rawsonville, Touws River and De Doorns are all observing Level 1 restrictions as a precaution.
The restriction levels are not standardised across the province, as Bredell explained that each municipality applies its own guidelines based on local conditions.
‘The various levels of water restrictions are not uniform as each municipality follows its own guidelines in this regard,’ he said.
Beyond daily water use, the minister also pointed to the financial side of water security. Municipalities, he said, must ensure that water supplied is properly billed and paid for, as revenue is crucial for maintaining and upgrading infrastructure.
Residents and visitors are being urged to check which restrictions apply in their area and to stick to them.
‘We urge residents and visitors to familiarise themselves with restrictions that apply locally and to please adhere to them,’ Bredell said. ‘If we all save water there will be enough for everyone.’
The implementation of water restrictions comes against the backdrop of declining dam levels and rising summer demand, particularly in tourism-heavy regions.
Provincial officials say conditions will continue to be closely monitored, with restriction levels likely to change if rainfall patterns or dam levels shift during the season.
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