PUBLIC NOTICE: PLEASE Reduce Water Consumption
Issued George Municipality, 10 January 2022
George Municipality urgently appeal to the residents of George to USE WATER SPARINGLY and ONLY FOR BASIC NECESSITIES. Average consumption has not reduced at all over the past 10 days and is closer to the highest averages measured in a normal month. The Annual Average Water Demand (AADD) during the year is 32 Megalitres per day. From the 15th of December 2021, the AADD was 36 Megalitres per day, but demand is currently hovering around 38 ML per day at the moment.
Without the assistance of everyone, water balancing will have to continue indeterminately until normal balance can be achieved. We plead with the public to limit their household water consumption during peak times. Peak times are between 07h00 – 09h00 in the morning, 12h00 to 14h00 and 17h00 to 20h00.
We thank those members of the public who understand the risk and who have been cooperating thus far, but without everyone’s help, the network will take even longer to stabilise and the George bulk water distribution and storage system is recovering too slowly with excessive high water usage.
As reported in November 2021, a Budget Facility for Infrastructure funding (“BFI) has been allocated to George Municipality through the Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant managed by the Department of Water and Sanitation. The potable Water Security and Remedial Works projects will extend the water treatment capacity and will be implemented in two phases over three years (2022 – 2025): Phase 1 and 2 is an additional 20 Mℓ/day extension to the New George WTW and Phase 3 is an additional 30 Mℓ raw water balancing dam at the New George WTW.
In the interim however it remains a fine balance and with our capacity limited excessive usage means that should a pipe burst on a potable line or there is loadshedding which affects our Water Treatment Works, there will be limited drinking water available. Residents should note that although the DAM LEVEL remains at 100%, this is RAW WATER storage and not POTABLE or DRINKING WATER supply. Raw water is treated at our treatment facilities prior to distribution. The current water demand is higher than the is higher than the treatment capacity.
Report water leaks and burst pipes to 044 801 9262/66 or after hours at 044 801 6300, as soon as you notice them.