Oudtshoorn, 30 May 2023 – Oudtshoorn Municipality has lifted its water restrictions as the Raubenheimer Dam is overflowing, however, strict level 6 water restrictions will remain in place for Dysselsdorp and De Rust and the Klein Karoo Rural Water Scheme (KKRWSS).
Although water is overflowing from Huis River, the municipality is only allowed to abstract a certain volume in terms of water rights. This surplus is allocated to downstream farmers. This abstract right is not sufficient to supply the demand for De Rust and Blomnek and water is usually supplied from the KKRWS to supplement. As a result of loadshedding, pumping from the boreholes for the full period needed is not possible, and therefore the water restrictions for Dysselsdorp, De Rust and the KKRWSS cannot be lifted.
Level 6 Water Restrictions implemented for Dysselsdorp, De Rust and KKRWSS are as follows:
- Households are encouraged to reduce water use to not more than 50 l/person/day
- No washing of cars using municipal drinking water.
- No cleaning of paved/concrete/tarred surfaces and structures with municipal drinking water.
- The use of municipal drinking water for any construction or building purposes (including cleaning roofs with high-pressure/low-volume cleaners) is prohibited.
- Irrigation of gardens with municipal drinking water is prohibited.
- Plant Nurseries and Motor Wash businesses to obtain permission from the Technical Department to use municipal drinking water for their businesses. All applications for permission must be accompanied by a detailed method statement indicating how much water will be used and what measures will be put in place to conserve water referring to industry best practice water conservation norms and the recycling of water. Emergency water tariffs will apply.
- Topping up or filling all (private and public) swimming pools with municipal drinking water is prohibited.
- Fountains and water features remain shut down.
- Irrigation by water other than drinking water is clearly indicated at the front of properties where such irrigation takes 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.
The Huis River, the main source of water for De Rust and Blomnek is flowing strongly, and the water is murky. De Rust does not have a treatment plant and the water is only disinfected by chlorination. The increase in murkiness does not pose any direct danger but does influence the effectiveness of the chlorination. Residents of Blomnek and De Rust are requested to boil water before drinking until the water quality returns to normal.
The suspension bridge on Church Street has also been closed for safety reasons. It has been found that certain areas of the walkway are unsafe and planks need to be replaced. The road has also been closed due to the level of the river.
The Grobbelaars River is currently overflowing, and the Disaster management team is doing inspections on all low-water bridges in the Oudtshoorn area, but no flood damage has been reported as yet after the rains Oudtshoorn experienced.
We urge the public to please avoid low-water bridges and adhere to traffic warning signs. More water is expected from the Cango Caves side. Motorists who ignore the warning signs at the low-water crossing will be fined R1500.