George Municipality Engages Top 300 Water Users in Ongoing Water Drive
In the photo: George Municipal Law Enforcement officials visits top water users as part of the city’s intensified Water Saving Programme to promote compliance and reduce excessive consumption.
To ensure continuous access to drinking water for all residents, George Municipality has intensified its Water Saving Programme by identifying and engaging with the city’s top 300 highest water users.
As part of this initiative, Law Enforcement officials have already visited the top 100 users to encourage compliance with water restrictions and promote responsible water use. The proactive campaign aims to curb excessive consumption and safeguard the city’s limited water resources amid ongoing pressure on supply.
According to Lee-Anne Meiring, Senior Manager: Community Safety, the visits have generated mixed reactions from residents. “Some members of the public were not pleased when Law Enforcement officials arrived at their properties,” said Meiring. “However, these visits are not punitive — they are intended to assist households in identifying possible leaks, understanding their usage patterns, and ultimately reducing water consumption.”
As of 28 October 2025, the Garden Route Dam is 58.34% full, with 39 millimetres of rainfall recorded between 21 and 27 October. This reflects a continued decline in storage levels despite recent showers and highlights the urgent need for all residents to conserve water.
This intensified action forms part of the broader implementation of the Water Management Task Team’s strategy, announced earlier this month, which coordinates George Municipality’s water-saving interventions across departments. The Task Team continues to focus on reducing excessive consumption, repairing leaks, and increasing public awareness of water conservation.
George Municipality continues to urge all residents, businesses (including construction companies), schools, and sports facilities to carefully review their water usage and make a conscious effort to reduce wastage and unnecessary consumption.
Meanwhile, the Finance Directorate has implemented a notification system whereby, with each billing cycle, consumers with high water usage receive an email from George Accounts alerting them to excessive consumption and the possibility of a leak. In addition, follow-up phone calls are made to residential consumers using more than 15 kilolitres (kℓ) per household per month to raise awareness and help identify potential leaks or faulty meters contributing to high usage.
Common reasons given for high consumption include:
• Guests over the festive season.
• More than four people living in a household.
• Multiple households on one property.
• Irrigation systems in use.
• Possible estimated readings.
Residents are encouraged to submit their own water-meter readings via email to meterreadings@george.gov.za, including the account holder’s name, contact details, and GRG account number. Account-related enquiries can be directed to accounts@george.gov.za.
The Municipality has also contacted industrial high-water users to request reductions in consumption.
Executive Mayor Alderman Jackie von Brandis reiterated her call for residents and businesses to work together to safeguard the city’s water supply. “Every drop counts,” said Mayor von Brandis. “Water conservation is not just a municipal responsibility — it’s a shared commitment between residents, businesses, and the Municipality. Together, we can make a real difference in protecting our most precious resource.”
George Municipality thanks all consumers who have made a conscious effort to save drinking water and reminds the public that Level 2B Water Restrictions remain in place. Adhering to these measures is critical to avoid further tightening of restrictions as dam levels continue to decline.
