MAYOR’S NEWSLETTER FOR GEORGE HERALD OF DECEMBER 2022
Last year we entered December knowing that the Garden Route Dam had overflowed at its 25% capacity increase level. However, we then faced 17% plus increase in water used which placed enormous pressures on our treatment capacity, particularly on our 1950-era Old Water Works (“OWW”). During December-January there were often days where water usage exceeded treatment levels by 2-3ML per day which depleted the reservoirs. We also experienced numerous pipeline breakages resulting from flood damage to our network. In February, there were 2 weekends where purified water available in the main reservoirs was depleted to 2 hours’ supply!
Our appeals to the public to use water sparingly appeared to have no effect.
We took the decision to authorise spending on valves, meters and telemetry to improve management on the 1000km water network built over many decades. This expenditure has resulted in improved access to data and management of the network.
As we enter December 2022, we face further risks through increased water usage. Our rainfall during 2022 has been well below the annual average of 715mm. From July to November, the cumulative rainfall average is 300mm whereas in 2022 we have only had 117mm. The level of our Dam was only 51,88% last week with the hot months ahead. We have therefore imposed further water restrictions.
While the 3-year construction project for our 50% increase (or 20ML per day) in treatment capacity is underway, we also started to refurbish some modules of the OWW to be completed in the next few days. The 17% increase in usage from last year has effectively continued due to ongoing in-migration into George. The daily management of balancing treatment and usage levels has therefore been extremely stressful.
Based on booked accommodation levels, we are expecting an influx of holiday visitors in the coming weeks.
In addition, a 5ML per day containerised water treatment plant has been leased as a temporary solution. It is being installed over the next 2-3 weeks to provide additional treatment capacity over the coming peak season and to permit the further refurbishment on the OWW during 2023. Even when this plant is operational, there is a risk that water usage could exceed the availability of treated water.
Our appeal is that all households should immediately reduce water usage to no more than 15KL per month to adhere to the new water restrictions. At present, we only have 4-5 months’ supply of water left in our Dam.
Our usage has grown dramatically this past year and our residents now need to assist to conserve our water supplies. We desperately need rain to increase the level of our Dam. Please share this message widely to help save Water.
Ald L van Wyk
Executive Mayor of George
“It is my honour as your Executive Mayor to announce that the lights Festival will be held at Kaptein Dikkop Amphitheatre in Pacaltsdorp. This site was chosen for our lights festival as it is a unique amphitheatre, built to honour the memory of Chief Dikkop, who was the leader of the Khoi – Khoi, the first inhabitants of Hoogekraal – now known as Pacaltsdorp.” Mayor van Wyk said during his visit to the venue on Monday, 21 November 2022.
“This year, we are bringing the official lights festival to this historic site and opening it up to every resident in George to celebrate with us. Having this festival here will not only provide much-needed exposure to this venue but will also boost the local economy and showcase the vendors that play such an important role in this part of our beautiful city,” Alderman van Wyk added.
A premature birth occurs when a baby is born before 37 weeks of gestation (pregnancy). In humans, a normal gestation period is from 38 to 42 weeks. Ideally, babies remain in the womb until they are full term, but for various reasons this does not always happen. The causes of preterm birth vary, but in most cases the exact cause is unknown.
Western Cape Government Health and Wellness walks a journey with mothers in every stage of their pregnancy. It starts with the antenatal visits during which chronic conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes can be picked up and managed accordingly. It is important for mothers to go to all their antenatal classes, to speak to a healthcare worker when they are unsure or worried about their health or the babies’. This also forms part of the first 1 000 days in a child’s development, starting from conception, moving through pregnancy, birth, and after the first 2 years of life, which are crucial for securing a child’s bright future. Your child’s health is most vulnerable during the first 1 000 days of their life. The right care and nutrition during this time helps to develop their brains, fuel their physical growth, build up a strong immune system, improve their school readiness and educational achievement, and reduce their risk of developing chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease later in life.
