Region supplied by metro also faces tough water cuts

RESIDENTS in the Kouga region can expect punitive water restrictions from early next year following an instruction by the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality to urgently cut down on water usage as it is facing a water shortage crisis.

Kouga, which gets its water supply from the metro, has been instructed to cut its usage by 15%.

Kouga mayor Elza van Lingen said the metro had warned them to reduce water usage or face punitive water restrictions from April.

Punitive water restrictions mean residents would have to pay more money if they waste water.

“Failure to comply will see the metro imposing punitive tariffs on Kouga until the [final phase of the] Nooitgedacht Water Scheme comes [into effect] in 2019,” Van Lingen said.

Jeffreys Bay, St Francis Bay, Oyster Bay, Cape St Francis and Humansdorp receive water from the Churchill and Impofu dams.

Loerie and Thornhill receive water from the Loerie Dam, while Hankey and Patensie are supplied by the Kouga Dam.

Van Lingen said an item would be tabled in next week’s council meeting recommending that water restrictions be imposed with immediate effect.

“Also that tariffs as set out in Part B of Kouga’s approved schedule of water charges will be implemented.

“For example, a household that uses 35kl of water a month and paying R354 will have to pay R578 for the same amount during Part B of the tariffs,” she said.

Guesthouses have already put up water-saving notices in rooms.

Dolphin View guesthouse owner Anita Meijberg said she had put up notices alerting guests to the water shortage.

“It will not affect business but it is not going to be easy,” she said.

Dune Ridge Country Lodge owner Sarah Swanepoel said although she used borehole water, they still encouraged guests to conserve water.

“We tell our guests to save water because we can’t guarantee if the borehole will stay running,” she said.