George faces water crisis despite rising dam levels: 23-week supply left
George municipality says the Garden Route Dam is sitting at 56.89%, up from 43.61% the previous week after 55mm of rain fell over the catchment.
Image: FILE
George has just 23 weeks of pumpable water left, even after welcome rain pushed dam levels up sharply over the past week.
That is according to the municipality’s latest weekly water statistics released on Tuesday.
The figures show the Garden Route Dam is sitting at 56.89%, up from 43.61% the previous week after 55mm of rain fell over the catchment.
Despite the improvement, the municipality said only water that can be pumped and treated is included in the calculation.
Water below the intake and treatment level is excluded, leaving an estimated 23 weeks of usable supply at current consumption levels.
The Haarlem Dam remains significantly lower at 29%, though that too has improved from 20% the previous week following 46mm of rain.
Daily demand in George is currently sitting at 38.6 million litres per day, slightly above the target of 38 million litres per day.
The figures come after months of sustained water pressure in the Garden Route region.
George has been grappling with a prolonged dry spell, high summer demand and ongoing strain on its water infrastructure.
The municipality has repeatedly urged residents to cut back on usage, and level 2D water restrictions remain in place.
Mayor Browen Johnson said the municipality will meet again later this week to discuss and possibly review the current water restrictions.
“We should also be cautious and not be too relaxed every time there is an improvement in dam levels,” Johnson told IOL.
He said while the recent rainfall had brought relief, the city could not afford to assume the crisis was over.
“A few days of good rain does not mean the risk has passed.
"We must remain responsible in how we use water,” he said.
He urged residents and businesses to continue using water sparingly while the municipality monitors dam levels and weather forecasts.
IOL