KOUGA WATER SHORTAGE
LATEST – Water price increase
Residents and visitors are reminded that there is a serious water shortage in Kouga because of the prolonged drought. If you have visitors, please warn them to use water sparingly so that our taps don’t run dry!
A more detailed update on stricter restrictions and higher emergency tariffs that are to be implemented from August because of the ongoing drought are due to be published next week.
Thank you for covering this – I am gutted by the fact that the Municipality has done so little to create awareness of our dire water situation. I have approached our Councillor, top officials and the Liaison Officer to put up proper banners at the entrances to all Kouga’s towns, with no response. Several weeks ago I informed the Liaison Officer that the one and only banner I had seen – on the fence of the Humansdorp Cultural Centre opposite EnGen – was being blown away and hence illegible. It has still not been fixed. The gross disregard for proper awareness is open to speculation – is it sheer incompetence, or a cynical move to protect businesses from putting off potential tourism income or investment.
Latest dam levels as on 18 July:
Churchill: 8.61%
Impofu: 59.63%
Kouga: 16.52%
DON’T BE A DRIP. SAVE EVERY DROP
Is there a website that gives updated information regarding dam levels?
This would be most informative for residents to monitor.
Hi Sally – We do regularly post the dam levels as and when the NMB Water website is updated (https://stfrancistoday.com/daily-water-usage/)
Die Impofu dam se watervlak is net-net onder normaal vir hierdie tyd van die jaar http://www.dwa.gov.za/Hydrology/Weekly/percentile.aspx?station=K9R002
The level of the Impofu Dam must always be linked to the Churchill Dam.This time last year, Churchill had a lot more water,so the combined capacity was greater
This was taken groman article in Wind Guru.
Port Elizabeth has had a particularly dry year first half of 2017. The 135.2 mm measured is the lowest for the first half of the year since 1996, when a mere 120.9 mm was measured. It is also the third driest first half of the year since 1950, when records started. 1970 was the driest with 110.9 mm for the same period.
By the end of July the city should have received 348 mm. We have only received half of that with only 177 mm being measures, which is the lowest figure since 1991, when 169 mm was measured.
In our main catchment areas, the story gets worse.
The 95 measured in Kareedouw for the first half of the year is the lowest on record (records started in 1956).
By the end of June Kareedouw should have received 220 mm on average.
In Patensie the 124 mm measured for the same period is the lowest since 1996, when 103 mm was measured.
By the end of June Patensie should also have received 220 mm on average.
Uitenhage had 117 mm for the first half of the year, which is the driest since 2002, when 94 mm was measured for the same period.
By the end of June Uitenhage should have received 220 mm on average.
With seasonal predictions favouring below average rainfall, more records could be achieved.
The worst is that with dam levels being at a combined total of under 32%, the need to conserve water is VITAL.
My comments only relate to St Francis Bay, I cannot comment on other Kouga areas, although I suspect the same applies.
The Municipality have not done enough to make visitors and property owners acutely aware of the seriousness of the situation.
Granted, residents appear to be aware, however property owners who do not live in the area are not(just ask them!).
A clear communication strategy to Property Owners (resident and non resident) and all visitors needs to be implemented as a matter of urgency