As the country continues to face dire shortages in its water supply, tough limitations on water consumption have been implemented and affected municipalities have put various water-usage regulations in place to ensure that there is enough drinking water for essential needs.

Overstrand residents can still enjoy a breather on water restrictions - for now. The Greater Hermanus area is supplied with water from the De Bos Dam in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, as well as 11 boreholes spread across the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley and the Gateway area. Rooi-Els, Pringle Bay and Betty’s Bay are supplied from the Buffels River Dam, Kleinmond from the Palmiet River, Gansbaai from the Kraaibosch Dam and the Grotte and De Kelders Springs, Stanford from the Eye Spring and two boreholes, and Pearly Beach from the Pearly Beach and Koekemoer Dams.

According to Hanré Blignaut, Deputy Director: Engineering Planning and our own expert on water management, the De Bos Dam is 98% full, compared to 98.7% this time last year. The Buffels River, Pearly Beach and Kraaibosch Dams are at full capacity.

“Although the dams are full, and there are not an immediate need for water restrictions, it is important that we take a longer-term view and consider the possibility of the drought extending into the next winter rainfall period.

“The Overstrand remains a water scarce area with limited water resources, and users are reminded to use water sparingly, especially in view of the approaching peak holiday season“ Blignaut urged. Rainfall during 2016 to date was below the long term average.  Users are also reminded of the Overstrand water services bylaw no. 46(1), which determines that no irrigation should take place between the hours of 09:00 and 17:00.

“For us to ensure that we have enough water available for everyone in the Overstrand, we need your help. We have a collective responsibility to use water sparingly. This means thinking about water differently and finding more efficient ways of using it. While this may cause a certain amount of inconvenience, we therefore call upon all residents to lead the charge for water conservation and to educate our communities to use water sparingly. Overstrand Municipality and its consumers succeeded in reducing its total annual potable water demand by 21% since 2008, despite a rapidly growing population.”

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