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George Municipality continues to address high water users


Issued George Municipality, 15 February 2022


Following the announcement of the implementation of Water Restrictions on 25 January this year, and to ensure residents have continuous access to drinking water the George Municipality has embarked on a Water Saving Programme. We continue to ask all residents, businesses (including construction companies), schools, sports facilities to carefully review their use of drinking water and to make a conscious decision to cut back on wastage, and the unnecessary use of drinking water.

The Finance Directorate has issued 11 500 SMS to high water users warning them of their excessive consumption and alerting them to the Water Restrictions in place. To date a total of 1500, follow up phone calls have been made to residential consumers to raise awareness of their excess water consumption, i.e., more than 15Kl per household and to ensure that no leaks are causing the excess usage.  The phone calls have identified seven (7) water leaks and two (2) water meter issues.

Reasons given for high water consumption have included: guests over the festive season, more than four people living in a house, more than one household on the property, irrigation systems in place and possible estimate readings. The online submissions of water meter readings are welcomed and can be provided to meterreadings@george.gov.za along with the accountholder’s name, contact details and GRG account number. Account related enquiries may be e-mailed to: accounts@george.gov.za

Industrial high-water users have already been contacted to request a reduction of their water consumption. Where there may be a leak on the municipal side, our Civil Engineering teams have attended to do repairs and/or replace water meters that are faulty. The municipality has experienced a backlog in the order and supply of water meters and as we are receiving stock,  we are addressing outstanding complaints.

We would like to thank all consumers who have made a conscious effort to save drinking water and remind them again of the relevant water restrictions in place:

The immediate measures to be adhered to are as follows:

  1. The mechanical or automatic irrigation/watering devices or sprinkler systems for gardens is prohibited.
  2. Gardens may be watered with a handheld hose from 01 September to 30 May during the following period only, i.e.  between 19:00 to 21:00
    Gardens may be watered with a handheld hose from 01 June to 31 August during the following period only, i.e.  between 17:00 to 19:00:

    Mondays and Thursdays for even-numbered households ONLY
    Tuesdays and Fridays for uneven numbered households ONLY.
  3. The irrigation or watering of all sports fields is prohibited.  Exemption from restrictions in the following instances only: golf course greens, bowling greens, and cricket pitches which may only be watered between 19:00 and 21:00.
  4. The washing of vehicles with a garden hose is prohibited, except by a commercial enterprise whose business it is to wash cars.
  5. The cleaning of ANY area by mechanical means or hosepipe using water is prohibited; The use of a bucket is however permitted.
  6. The filling of swimming pools is prohibited.
  7. Where own water from a borehole or reservoir is used, the appropriate notice shall be displayed on the premises, e.g., “OWN WATER”.

Contraventions of the Water Restrictions can be reported on 0800 424477 and will be followed up by George Municipal Law Enforcement.

Any person who contravenes these restrictions is guilty of an offence and is, upon conviction, liable to a fine as published in the annual tariffs list, or six months imprisonment.

In terms of Section 5 of the By-law, any person may apply in writing for the exemption from the provision of any notice published in terms of the By-law, and the Council may grant an exemption and impose conditions in respect of such an application.  The Policy grants permission to the Directorate Civil Engineering Services to approve applications for exemptions.

Application forms for an exemption can be obtained from the office of the Directorate: Civil Engineering Services, Old Town Hall, on the corner of Market and York Streets. Alternatively, applicants can contact Ms G van Niekerk on 044 – 801 9354 / gvanniekerk@george.gov.za to request that a copy of the application form be emailed to them. The Directorate Civil Engineering Services will consider all applications. A written exemption shall be provided where approved.

Report all water leaks to our Civil Engineering Department on 044 801 9262/66.