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Author: Nadine Payle

COGTA Honours George Municipality for Outstanding Humanitarian and Rescue Efforts

George Municipality was honoured to receive a Certificate of Recognition from the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) for its outstanding hands-on commitment and service in humanitarian efforts, search, rescue, and recovery operations during the “Victoria Street Building Collapse” in George, May 2024.

Present at the handover were (from left):
Riaan du Plessis (Chief Financial Officer), Godfrey Louw (Municipal Manager),
Station Commander Santa Sternsdorff (George Fire and Rescue Services), Jannie Koegelenberg
(Director: Civil Engineering Services),
Executive Mayor Jackie von Brandis,
Fire Chief and Disaster Manager Neels Barnard (George Fire and Rescue Services), and Cllr Brendon Adams (MMC: Community Safety and Mobility).

LANDFILL SITE USERS

Please be informed that on Thursday, 11 September 2025, maintenance work will be taking place on the access road at the landfill site (main area where disposal takes place).

During this time, only one lane of the road will be open for vehicle access .

Our machinery will be working on one side of the road, while the other side will remain open for vehicles to drive in and out.

We kindly request all landfill site users to exercise patience and caution while using the access road during these works.

Your cooperation will ensure the safety of both the workers and all site users.

EARLY CLOSURE OF MVR, DLTC & VTS

Please note that the Motor Vehicle Registration (MVR), Driver’s Licence Testing Centre (DLTC), and Vehicle Testing Station (VTS) will close at 14:00 on Friday, 12 September 2025, due to compulsory monthly operational requirements.

Normal services will resume on Monday, 15 September 2025.

We apologise for any inconvenience and thank residents for their understanding.

George Fire Rescue Expertise Goes Global

George Fire and Rescue Services Senior Management are from left Johann Crause (Station Commander Fire Prevention), Santa Sternsdorff (Station Commander),
Neels Barnard (Chief Fire Officer and Disaster Manager)and Johan Brand (Divisional Commander).

George Municipality is proud to announce that Station Commander Santa Sternsdorff has been published in the Journal of the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE), International Edition. The IFE journal is recognised worldwide as a leading platform for advancing knowledge and professional practice in fire engineering and fire safety.

In the August 2025 issue, Station Commander Sternsdorff authored a detailed summary of the Victoria Street Building Collapse in South Africa, reflecting on the multi-agency rescue operation, the challenges faced, and the critical lessons learned.

Her publication captures both the technical complexities of the incident, and the human resilience demonstrated during one of the most significant emergencies in George’s recent history.

This achievement reflects the expertise and dedication of our firefighters, while showcasing the high standards of George Fire and Rescue Services.

By sharing these experiences internationally, George Fire Service contributes to improving fire safety and emergency response worldwide, while reinforcing George Municipality’s commitment to protecting its communities.

Read the published article here:

https://tinyurl.com/bdduvptm

Waste Collection, Reminder to Residents


The Municipality has noticed an increasing trend of residents placing waste bags and containers on the kerb on days when no collection takes place.

We remind all residents that, in terms of the George Municipal Integrated Waste Management Bylaw (2024):
• Section 10(5): No person may place refuse receptacles or refuse bags on the kerb except on their scheduled waste collection day.
• Section 6(1): A person who generates waste remains the owner of that waste until it is removed by the Municipality or an authorised service provider.

The Municipality’s Waste Management Officer urges all residents to comply with these bylaws and place waste on the kerb only on the scheduled collection day.

Failure to do so may result in enforcement action in line with municipal bylaws.

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Vullisverwydering, herinnering aan inwoners

Die Munisipaliteit het opgemerk dat daar ’n toenemende tendens is waar inwoners vullissakke en -houers op die sypaadjie plaas op dae wanneer geen verwydering plaasvind nie.

Ons herinner alle inwoners daaraan dat, ingevolge die George Munisipale Geïntegreerde Afvalbestuursverordening (2024):
• Artikel 10(5): Geen persoon mag vullishouers of vullissakke op die sypaadjie plaas nie, behalwe op hul geskeduleerde vullisverwyderingsdag.
• Artikel 6(1): ’n Persoon wat afval lewer, bly die eienaar van daardie afval totdat dit deur die Munisipaliteit of ’n gemagtigde diensverskaffer verwyder is.

Die Munisipaliteit se Afvalbestuursbeampte doen ’n beroep op alle inwoners om die verordeninge na te kom en vullis slegs op die geskeduleerde verwyderingsdag uit te sit.

Versuim om dit te doen, kan lei tot wetstoepassing ingevolge die munisipale verordeninge.

George Municipality Spends R1.115 Billion Infrastructure Grant in Record Time

Inside Thembalethu East Reservoir

All projects on water and sewer upgrades progressing well, with residents set to benefit from stronger water security, improved sanitation, and expanded storage capacity.

George Municipality has achieved a significant milestone by spending 100% of the R1.115 billion Budget Facility for Infrastructure (BFI) grant in just three and a half years, ahead of the projected four-year period. To complete these major bulk water and sewer infrastructure upgrades, the Municipality is also investing R300 million of its own funding. Several projects have already been completed, and the remaining projects are on track for completion between now and mid-2026.

Improving the Security of George’s Future Water and Sanitation Needs, the R1.415 billion investment is being channelled into 12 major components of bulk water and sewer infrastructure, many implemented in phases to ensure long-term sustainability. These upgrades will strengthen potable water security, reduce pollution risks, and support continued social and economic growth in George.

Key progress includes:
• New Water Treatment Works: The Civil works valued at R284 million has been completed; mechanical, electrical and instrumentation works valued at R228 million are 97% completed with final completion due at the end of October 2025. Purified water from the new 20Ml module has been supplying residents with potable water since May 2025, while maintenance and upgrades are being carried out on the existing modules.

The Residuals Treatment Works is being commissioned. The 20 Mℓ/day (20 million litres per day) extension to the New Water Treatment Works (New WTW) and the new WTW Residuals Treatment facility will significantly enhance the purified water treatment capacity of the Municipality to a total daily production capacity of 60 Mℓ/d.

New Water Treatment Works, Denneoord delivering 20 million litres per day of clean drinking water since May 2025.

• Sewer Pumpstation Upgrades: The upgrade of three major sewer pumpstations—Eden, Meul, and Schaapkop—will improve the long-term capacity and reliability of these aged pump stations and curtail spillages that cause environmental and health risks. First-phase works at Eden and Meul had previously been completed and these pumpstations are due for full completion in 2025; Schaapkop pump station will be completed in 2026.

Schaapkop Sewer Pumpstation and pipe bridge.

Schaapkop Sewer Pumpstation and pipe bridge.

• Garden Route Dam Outlet and Supply Upgrade: Completed in June 2025. This included replacing the existing 600 mm diameter raw water pipeline with an 800 mm diameter stainless steel pipeline and a 900 mm diameter HDPE pipe, ensuring a higher flow rate for future raw water needs. It also included upgrading a section of the pump pipeline to improve flow and reduce the risk of failures. Minor works continued beyond June 2025 and have been completed.

• Raw Water Balancing Dam (40 Mℓ): An additional 40 million litre (40 Mℓ) raw water storage and balancing dam is under construction, together with a 340m-long 800mm diameter raw water outlet pipeline and a 1000mm diameter raw water pump main extension. Construction is 75% complete and expected to be fully completed in December 2025.

• Pacaltsdorp Reservoirs: West Reservoir (14.5 Mℓ) and East Reservoir (3 Mℓ plus 300 kl tower) are 75% and 80% complete respectively, both due for full completion in early 2026.

• Thembalethu Reservoirs: The Thembalethu West Reservoir upgrade consists of three contracts that vary between 80%–100% complete. Full completion is due December 2025; Thembalethu East Reservoir (8 Mℓ plus 1000 kl tower) is 85% complete, with full completion due in 2025.

• Completed Projects: The Garden Route Dam generators, 9th Avenue Old Water Treatment Works refurbishment, and Kaaimans River Pumpstation refurbishment.

Serving more than 294,942 residents across 85,931 households in 28 wards, George Municipality remains committed to sustainable infrastructure, transparent governance, and future-focused planning. Executive Mayor Jackie von Brandis said the achievement demonstrates the Municipality’s ability to deliver on its promises: “Achieving 100% expenditure on such a significant grant shows George can manage major projects responsibly while securing water and sanitation services for generations to come.”

What this means for George residents

These infrastructure upgrades are not just numbers — they directly improve the quality of life across the city:
• Stronger potable water security – A new Water Treatment Works has already been delivering clean drinking water since May 2025, with full commissioning expected later this year.
• Improved sanitation – Upgrades to major sewer pump stations will reduce pollution risks and keep communities healthier.
• Bigger storage capacity – new reservoirs in Pacaltsdorp and Thembalethu will increase direct on-site water storage for improved water security during bulk water outages.
• Future-proof infrastructure – The new raw water dam and pipelines provides security of raw water supply to the extended water treatment works to ensure the availability of raw water feed to meet potable water demand.

 

BESKADIGDE HOOFWATERLYN – UNIONDALE

’n Beskadigde hoofwaterlyn word tans deur munisipale spanne hanteer.

Die gebiede wat geraak sal word, is: Robert, Parliament- en St George-straat.

Geskatte hersteltyd: 2–3 ure.

George Munisipaliteit vra omverskoning vir die ongerief en bedank inwoners vir hul geduld.

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DAMAGED WATER MAINLINE -UNIONDALE

A damaged water mainline is currently being attended to by municipal teams.

The areas that will be affected are: Robert, Parliament, and St George Street.

Estimated Time of Repair (ETR): 2–3 hours

UNPLANNED WATER OUTAGE – BLANCO

George Municipality is aware of a pump station failure in Blanco, which has resulted in low levels at the Eskom reservoir.

Residents in the upper portion of Blanco, supplied by the Eskom reservoir, may experience low water pressure or no water.

Municipal teams are attending to the issue. Updates will be provided as soon as more information is available.

PUBLIC NOTICE UPDATE: UNPLANNED POWER OUTAGE – WILDERNESS HEIGHTS

George Municipality is attending to an unplanned power outage affecting a portion of Whites Road, Wilderness Heights.

The outage is due to vandalism that damaged an electrical pole, which now requires replacement.

The estimated time of repair (ETR) is 16:00 today,

The Municipality apologises for the inconvenience and requests the public to remain patient while repair work is undertaken.

EARLY CLOSURE OF MVR, DLTC & VTS

Please note that the Motor Vehicle Registration (MVR), Driver’s Licence Testing Centre (DLTC), and Vehicle Testing Station (VTS) will close at 14:00 on Friday, 29 August 2025 due to compulsory monthly operational meetings.

We apologise for any inconvenience and thank residents for their understanding.

PUBLIC NOTICE UPDATE: PIPE BURST – MERRIMAN STREET

As previously communicated, George Municipality is still attending to repairs in Merriman Street. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, the repair time has been extended.

Water supply is now expected to be restored by 21:00 tonight, 26 August 2025.

A water tanker will be roaming the affected areas to provide temporary water supply.

Residents are advised to make the necessary arrangements until the supply is fully restored.