STORM DAMAGE UPDATE: Greater Hermanus 

Overstrand Executive Mayor, Dr Annelie Rabie, held an information session on Wednesday morning, 18 October 2023, to update the public regarding the water situation in the Greater Hermanus following the Level 9 storm during the weekend of 23 September 2023.

The Overstrand experienced heavy rain and the most severe flooding in history, with more than 120 mm recorded in Hermanus in 24 hours.

Mayor Rabie once again requested all to save water and be mindful of water consumption as this will help to keep all areas supplied.

The main points addressed were:

BULK WATER SUPPLY 

• De Bos dam is still overflowing.
• The water network and reservoirs are full.
• The current demand of daily water use is met with supply.
• Unfortunately, the Preekstoel Water Treatment Works currently cannot deal with more inflow of water to purify due to the extremely high turbidity of the raw water.
• Work is scheduled to start on Monday, 23 October to permanently fix the De Bos dam pipeline in order to be able to provide the higher flows required during peak season.
• If all goes according to plan, work should be finished by mid-December and all the pipe repairs and purification processes back to normal.
• The Bosplasie sewer pipe rehabilitation will be done as part of the above project.

WATER RESTRICTIONS AND WATER QUALITY

• Water restrictions remain in place.
• No punitive water consumption tariff to be implemented for Greater Hermanus yet.
• The water supply is constrained and will be at least until mid-December, by which time the pipes and purification should be back to normal if all goes according to plan.
• Tap water is safe to drink and cook with and meets the national drinking water quality standards.

Roads

• Repairs of the damaged R320 Hemel-en-Aarde and road infrastructure are prioritised as it impacts on the livelihoods of our farming community. The road repairs are estimated to cost R80 million.
• The R43 at the Kleinmond turnoff needs to be fixed as this is the main route to transport food supplies and medical resources.
• Repairs to re-open the flood-damaged N2 at Bot River are underway and the road needs to open as soon as possible.