Notices

The Western Cape Provincial government has authorized a sum total of R88.185 million rand from the Provincial Unforeseen and Unavoidable Reserve Fund to assist municipalities with the unforeseen and immediate impact of prolonged load-shedding on water and wastewater services. In terms of this allocated Funding, George Municipality has received the sum of R14 220 000 (VAT included) as a contribution toward the purchase and installation of back-up energy supply. This back-up supply can include generators, renewable power sources, batteries and all ancillary costs associated with the installation thereof for example,  switch gear, safe keeping, caging etc. for water and wastewater infrastructure. This grant funding will assist the George Municipality in ensuring a healthy environment and to continue with the provision of basic services to our citizens and businesses during the current load-shedding.

The municipality is in process of purchasing emergency diesel generators that will be placed strategically as follows:

Water Treatment Works
Haarlem WTW  (+_ 150kVA diesel generator)
Uniondale WTW (+- 200kVA diesel generator)

Waste Water Treatment Works
Uniondale WWTW (+_ 200 kVA diesel generator)
Kleinkrantz WWTW (+_ 300 kVA diesel generator)
Outeniqua WWTW (+_ 1000 kVA diesel generator)

Progress to Date:
A Professional Engineering Consultant was appointed to assist the George Municipality with the design, procurement, and implementation of the backup generator units.  The municipality has to date (July 2023) completed the procurement of the contractors required to construct the Generators required for Haarlem and Uniondale water treatment facilities; and Uniondale and Kleinkrantz wastewater treatment facilities.   Due to the size of the Outeniqua Wastewater Treatment facility`s backup generator, a separate procurement process had to be followed and is underway.

It is furthermore to be noted that generator equipment in general is a long lead item, and therefore the delivery times associated therewith are very much dependent on the stock availability on same.    In this regard the major risk foreseen at this stage is a delay in timeous completion of the project because of the knock-on effect due external factors affecting and delaying the delivery time of equipment, i.e. shipping of imported components, strikes / shutdowns, etc, as well as any delay in the Outeniqua WWTW generator tender process.  In summary, the overall project progress is as follow:

Procurement Phase:    

• Appointment of Consultant (Complete) – 100%
• Appointment of Contractor:    Haarlem WTW (Complete) – 100%
• Uniondale WTW (Complete) – 100%
• Uniondale WWTW (Complete) – 100%
• Kleinkrantz WWTW (Complete) – 100%
• Outeniqua WWTW (In Progress) – 40%

Construction Phase:  

• Haarlem WTW (± 125 kVA diesel generator) – 20%
• Uniondale WTW (± 125 kVA diesel generator) – 20%
• Uniondale WWTW (± 200 kVA diesel generator) – 20%
•  Kleinkrantz WWTW (± 300 kVA diesel generator) – 20%
• Outeniqua WWTW (± 1 000 kVA + 650 kVA diesel generator) – 0%

The total project expenditure to date (as on end of July 2023) is approximately 14.6% of the current funding allocation.

Other Load Shedding initiatives Implemented by George Municipality
While Eskom’s loadshedding continues in South Africa, the George Municipality intensifies its efforts to protect Municipal facilities through the installation of generators at the various pump stations to protect its infrastructure and ensure the uninterrupted delivery of services to the citizens, because of loadshedding. George Municipality has already installed large generators at 30 Sewer Pump Stations and 5 at Water Treatment Works at a cost of approximately R52 million, in order to keep water flowing and sewerage pumpstations operational during loadshedding.  The costs of running these generators are exorbitant and currently totals approximately R148 000 per day in fuel alone at Stage 4, with the fuel costs even higher when Stage 5 and 6 are implemented.

The Executive Mayor, Alderman Leon van Wyk recently visited the Garden Route Dam to view the two largest generators installed by the Municipality to date.

“We are grateful for these two generators, thanks to the Bulk Facility for Infrastructure grant awarded by National Treasury to George Municipality in 2021  Western Cape Provincial Government for funding,” said Mayor van Wyk. “There are two 1250 kVA generators each, and we need these two generators to power our pump stations for the pumping of raw water from the dam to our water treatment works when loadshedding or any other power outage occurs. Together these two generators use 500 litres of fuel an hour.”

Deon de Jager, the Deputy Director for Water and Sanitation in the Civil Engineering Directorate of the George Municipality confirmed that the Municipality has secured the services for the installation of generators for a three year period. “The municipality currently has a three-year tender in place for the supply and installation of standby generators for municipal facilities such as sewer and water pump stations,” he said

“An emergency backup generator project is funded through the Emergency Load Shedding Relief Grant, and the scope of works is the provision of backup power to water and sewer treatment facilities to ensure uninterrupted operation during load shedding, therefore, avoiding sewage spills and subsequently preventing pollution to the environment, as well as securing potable water supply. The total project cost is R11 million and will provide four new sewer/water generators placed at numerous sewer pump stations benefiting the entire George Municipal Area,” de Jager added.

Battery energy storage is planned for all the Water and Waste-Water Treatment Plants as well as the Sewer Pump stations in order to reduce the diesel costs. The Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) deployment is being fast-tracked to save costs over the long run. The intention is to deploy BESS of more than 100MWh for the city using a phased-in approach. The city is currently in the process of feasibility studies for the BESS deployment, to assess the technical, environmental, economic and practical feasibility for installation and integration into the distribution network. These studies will further inform the city on the deployment strategy to undertake as it strives to reduce reliance from Eskom.

Percentage storage at new raised dam wall height                       99,53%

Rainfall for the previous 7 days                                                            0.8 mm

(Measured up to and including 7 August 2023 )
The cooperation of all users of municipal water is essential and is greatly appreciated.

Follow this link for the detailed Stricter Water Restrictions in English/Afrikaans and IsiXhosa.
https://www.george.gov.za/george-doc-categories/public-notices/general/

Report water leaks and burst pipes to 044 801 9262/66 or after hours at 044 801 6300, as soon as you notice them.

Issued George Municipality, 7 August 2023, 14h30

The George Municipal Joint Operations Centre (JOC) supported by municipal law enforcement and traffic officials, together with SAPS continues to monitor the ongoing Taxi Strike.

Municipal Services continue in all areas today.
No incidents have been reported to the municipality.

Municipal Switchboard 044 801 9111
After Hours Emergency Number 044 801 6300
Dedicated Fire Only Number 044 801 6311

Issued George Municipality, 7 August 2023, 09h00

The George Municipal Joint Operations Centre (JOC) supported by municipal law enforcement and traffic officials, together with SAPS continues to monitor the situation.

SANTACO has confirmed that the strike will continue as per their media statement issued 6 August, 18h30.

Services will continue today in all areas.

A further update will be provided at 13h00.

Municipal Switchboard 044 801 9111
After Hours Emergency Number 044 801 6300
Dedicated Fire Only Number 044 801 6311

When GO GEORGE introduced the Smart Card system in 2018, the concept of tapping or scanning a card to board a bus was new to most of the passengers using the bus service.

Today, it is second nature, with just under 120 000 cards sold to date.
However, this figure is far more than the number of passengers using the bus service, and can be partly attributed to cards getting damaged and being replaced.

Sensitive technology
A smart card is essentially a plastic card with various technology embedded that allow the card to be “tapped” and read when presented to the different devices (top-up vendor device, kiosk device and on-bus card reader). When the card is in working order, this allows the passenger to see how many trips are left on the card and subtracts one trip from the balance when scanned on the bus.
When the card gets damaged, the different devices will not be able to read the card and it won’t scan at all. This is frustrating and necessitates a visit to one of the GO GEORGE Smart Card Kiosks where a diagnostic test is done to determine the issue.

Prevent damage to card
There are simple ways to minimise the risk of damage to a smart card. This will not only prevent passengers from being inconvenienced when boarding a bus at the last minute, just to find out their card is not working, but will also cut out the unnecessary cost of buying a new card.
• Keep the card – along with all other cards – protected in a wallet or cardholder to avoid possible damage from other pocket or purse items.
• Always keep the card straight and never bend it.
• Coming into contact with refrigerator magnets, clasps on wallets, and magnets on the back of tape measures and flashlights can demagnetize a card.
• When you place your card in your wallet, be sure not to rub it up against the metal clasp and place it as far away from it as possible.
• Protect the card from direct heat, open flames, etc.
• Make sure that it doesn’t land in the laundry with your clothes.
• Keep in mind that it is made of plastic – anything that damages plastic, can damage the card.
• In essence, the GO GEORGE Smart Card should be treated like a bank card.

Check expiry date
Like any other smart card and bank card, the GO GEORGE Smart Card is valid for five years. After that, you will need to buy a new card, or use another valid card in your possession which will save you money. Keep an eye on your card’s expiry date and make sure you don’t get caught unawares.
The expiry date is printed on the front of the card for ease of reference. Use an alternative card if you have one, or buy your new card at R35 from any GO GEORGE Smart Card kiosk. Remaining trips on the expiring card will be transferred to the new card, or whichever existing card you choose to use.

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Koester daardie slimkaart – dis jou sleutel om bus te ry
Toe GO GEORGE die slimkaartstelsel in 2018 bekendgestel het, was die konsep om ‘n kaart te tik of te skandeer om in ‘n bus te klim, nuut vir die meeste passasiers wat die busdiens gebruik. Vandag is dit tweede natuur, met bykans 120 000 kaarte wat tot dusver verkoop is.
Hierdie syfer is egter veel meer as die aantal passasiers wat die busdiens gebruik, en kan deels toegeskryf word aan kaarte wat beskadig word en vervang word.

Sensitiewe tegnologie
‘n Slimkaart is in wese ‘n plastiek kaart met verskillende tegnologie ingebed waarmee die kaart “getik” en gelees kan word wanneer dit aan die verskillende toestelle aangebied word (ritverkoper se toestel, kiosktoestel en die kaartleser op die bus).
As die kaart in ‘n werkende toestand is, stel dit die passasier in staat om te sien hoeveel ritte op die kaart oorbly en trek een rit van die balans af wanneer dit op die bus geskandeer word die verskillende toestelle nie die kaart lees nie en sal dit glad nie skandeer nie. Dit is frustrerend en noodsaak ‘n besoek aan een van die GO GEORGE Slimkaartkiosks waar ‘n diagnostiese toets gedoen word om die probleem te bepaal.

Voorkom skade aan kaart
Daar is eenvoudige maniere om die risiko van skade aan ‘n slimkaart te verminder. Dit sal nie net verhoed dat passasiers verontrief word as hulle op die laaste oomblik op ‘n bus klim, net om uit te vind dat hul kaart nie werk nie, maar sal ook die onnodige koste om ‘n nuwe kaart te koop, verhoed.

• Hou die kaart – saam met alle ander kaarte – beskut in ‘n beursie of kaarthouer om moontlike skade deur ander sak- of beursie-items te voorkom.
• Hou die kaart altyd reguit en moet dit nooit buig nie.
• Kontak met yskasmagnete, klampe op beursies en magnete aan die agterkant van maatbande en flitsligte kan ‘n kaart demagnetiseer.
• As jy jou kaart in jou beursie plaas, verhoed dat dit teen die metaalknip skuur en plaas dit so ver as moontlik daarvan.
• Beskerm die kaart teen direkte hitte, oop vlamme, ens.
• Maak seker dat dit nie saam met jou klere in die wasgoed beland nie.
• Hou in gedagte dat dit van plastiek gemaak is – enigiets wat plastiek beskadig, kan die kaart beskadig.
• In wese moet die GO GEORGE Slimkaart soos ‘n bankkaart hanteer word.

Gaan vervaldatum na
Soos enige ander slimkaart en bankkaart, is die GO GEORGE Slimkaart vir ’n bepaalde tyd geldig. Ná vyf jaar moet jy ‘n nuwe GO GEORGE-slimkaart koop, of ‘n ander geldige kaart in jou besit gebruik wat jou geld sal spaar. Hou jou kaart se vervaldatum dop en maak seker jy word nie onverhoeds betrap nie.
Die vervaldatum is voorop die kaart gedruk. Gebruik ‘n alternatiewe kaart as jy een het, of koop jou nuwe kaart teen R35 by enige GO GEORGE-slimkaartkiosk. Oorblywende ritte op die kaart wat verval, sal na die nuwe kaart oorgedra word, of na watter bestaande kaart jy ook al kies om te gebruik.

ONDERSKRIF:
Een van die moenies in die versorging van jou slimkaart, is om dit nie in die wasmasjien te laat beland nie.

Stage 3 loadshedding will be implemented from 16:00 today until 05:00 on Monday. Thereafter, Stage 1 loadshedding will be implemented from 05:00 until 16:00 on Monday, followed by Stage 4 loadshedding until 05:00 on Tuesday. This will be repeated on Tuesday into Wednesday.

George will be affected as follows:

Sunday 06/08/2023
20:00 – 22:30

Monday 07/08/2023
04:00 – 06:30
20:00 – 22:30

Tuesday 08/08/2023
04:00 – 05:00
12:00 – 14:30
20:00 – 22:30

Wednesday 09/08/2023
02:00 – 04:30
18:00 – 20:30

Uniondale will be affected as follows:

Sunday 06/08/2023
16:00 – 17:30
23:00 – 01:30

Monday 07/08/2023
07:00 – 09:30
16:00 – 17:30
23:00 – 01:30

Tuesday 08/08/2023
15:00 – 17:30
23:00 – 01:30

Wednesday 09/08/2023
21:00 – 23:30

Consumers are reminded to use electricity sparingly after power returns, especially after a 4-hour Loadshedding slot
Please do not switch high-usage equipment on immediately after Load shedding. Consumers are urged to turn off high-usage equipment and where possible to not switch on appliances such as stoves and kettles for at least 30 minutes after load shedding. This will reduce the risk of overload tripping on the network and reduce our current high MVA spikes.
Reporting power outages
Please do not phone the after-hours number or the Electrotechnical Department to report that you have no power immediately after load shedding is scheduled to be lifted. Please be aware of the rotational switching on and wait at least 30 minutes before reporting no power. The directorate will be aware of a possible substation trip that needs to be sorted out.
Receive Eskom loadshedding notifications by downloading the free EskomSePush app from Google Play Store at https://sepush.co.za/

Issued George Municipality, Saturday 5 August 2023, 08h10

The George Municipal Joint Operations Centre (JOC) supported by municipal law enforcement and traffic officials, together with SAPS continues to monitor the situation.

No incidents have been reported.

Municipal Switchboard 044 801 9111
After Hours Emergency Number 044 801 6300
Dedicated Fire Only Number 044 801 6311

The George Municipal Joint Operations Centre (JOC) supported by municipal law enforcement and traffic officials, together with SAPS will continue to monitor the situation overnight and throughout the weekend.

Municipal Switchboard 044 801 9111
After Hours Emergency Number 044 801 6300
Dedicated Fire Only Number 044 801 6311

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Issued George Municipality, 4 August @ 14h00

George Municipality can confirm that no incidents or road closures have been reported during the ongoing taxi strike.

Refuse collection remains suspended for Thembalethu, while other areas and business scheduled for today are continuing,
The Joint Operations Centre (JOC) supported by municipal law enforcement and traffic officials continue to monitor the situation to manage service delivery for the municipality.

The next update will be issued at 18h00.

Municipal Switchboard 044 801 9111
After Hours Emergency Number 044 801 6300
Dedicated Fire Only Number 044 801 6311