Water restrictions put on hold

Dam levels in the Mossel Bay area continue to drop.

The Mossel Bay Municipality appeals to residents to continue to use water sparingly. "Cognisant of the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the requirement for residents to regularly wash their hands to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus, the municipal council accepted a resolution that water restrictions be put on hold until the Wolwedans Dam level drops to below 50%," says municipal spokesperson, Nickey le Roux.

Mossel Bay Municipality implements water restrictions per the

Water Demand Management Policy when the main water supply for the town, the Wolwedans Dam level drops below 60%.

In terms of the Department of Water and Sanitation dam operating rules, a 10% restriction must be applied to all residential consumers when the dam level drops below 60%.

At the monthly council meeting on Thursday, 30 July, the council agreed to a 10% voluntary restriction with immediate effect on all users of potable water.

Dam levels have dropped significantly in recent weeks, and the recent rains have made no real impact. There is currently no risk of water shortage. Mossel Bay is in the fortunate position of having the 15Ml/day desalination plant to produce potable water and a 5Ml/ day reclamation plant for industrial purposes.

Added to this are the eight boreholes in the rural areas.

An agreement is in the process of being concluded with PetroSA to utilise 5Ml/day of water from the reclamation plant, in exchange for an equivalent quota from the Wolwedans Dam when the dam level drops to below 50%.