Oudtshoorn, 22 July 2021 – The Raubenheimer Dam is the main water source in the Greater Oudtshoorn, and is currently at 37%, meaning that level 5 water restrictions will take place with immediate effect.
The executive mayor, Chris Macpherson, urges residents of the Greater Oudtshoorn to use water sparingly. “Since the end of 2020, there has been no significant rainfall in the catchment area of the Raubenheimer dam. As a result, the level of the dam has decreased steadily and currently stands at 37%, which is equivalent to approximately 200 days of water for Oudtshoorn. If the catchment area does not get good rains soon, we will face a serious water crisis,” said Mayor Macpherson.
Residents are seriously reminded that violations of the restrictions are punishable by a fine of R1000. If residents are aware of any persons violating the restrictions, they can be reported anonymously to the following numbers: Between 07:30 and 16:00: 044 2033090/3086, after hours: 044 203 7800
Macpherson thanks all those who have always played a major role in reducing the average water use drastically and hopes that it will set an example for others to always put the well-being of the Greater Oudtshoorn first.
Please see the following level 5 water restrictions for further information.
LEVEL 5 (SEVERE) WATER RESTRICTIONS
Level 5 restrictions are being implemented as the Raubenheimer Dam is between 30% and 40%.
- Households are encouraged to reduce water use to not more than 100 l/person/day and may not consume more than 12kl/month;
- No washing of cars by means of a hose pipe using municipal drinking water. Only a bucket may be used;
- No cleaning of paved / concrete / tarred surfaces and structures with municipal drinking water;
- Where municipal drinking water is to be used for any construction or building purposes (including cleaning of roofs by high pressure/ low volume cleaner), permission must be obtained from the Technical Department. All applications for such a permit must be accompanied by a detail method statement indicating how much water will be used and what measures will be put in place to conserve water.
- Irrigation of gardens with municipal drinking water prohibited;
- Plant Nurseries and Motor Wash businesses are exempted from the above restrictions, but are also subjected to the emergency water tariffs; Commercial car washes may use municipal drinking water subject to industry best practice water conservation norms and the recycling of at least 50% of water used;
- Topping up or filling of all (private and public) swimming pools with municipal drinking water prohibited;
- Fountains and water features remains shut down;
- Irrigation by water other than the drinking water by clearly indicated at the front of properties where such irrigation take place, e.g. “BOREHOLE WATER”;
- Irrigation of any sports fields as well as the watering of agricultural land, paddocks, parks, lawns and open spaces with municipal drinking water is completely prohibited.
Transgressions of above restrictions can be fined with a spot-fine of R1 000
These water restrictions will be applicable to all water consumers in the Greater Oudtshoorn Municipal Areas, including De Rust and Dysselsdorp and Klein Karoo Rural Water Supply Scheme (KKRWSS).