Plettenberg Bay faces level 4 water restrictions as dam levels drop

Bitou municipality has implemented Level Four water restrictions on Wednesday, as officials warn that Plettenberg Bay’s main dam has only 40 days' worth of water remaining.

This follows a late-night meeting on Tuesday, where officials made the decision, where the municipality's leadership assessed the dire water situation and its implications for the community.

The municipality's corporate communications head, Andile Namntu, said the Roodefontein Dam could only have enough water until March 14 should nothing change.

Namntu stated that daily consumption remains way too high at 14.25 megalitres, which is roughly enough to fill six Olympic-sized swimming pools every day.

"We have to reduce usage to between seven and nine megalitres to secure water for essential services, businesses, and households."

Namntu said in order to stretch the water that the municipality still had, there had to be a cut in the monthly household water allowance from 15 kilolitres to 10 kilolitres, with effect from Wednesday.

"Data shows that some households are using excessive amounts of water, consuming between 70 and 409 kL per month," he said.

"Notices will be sent to these households informing them of enforcement measures, including the installation of water restrictors."

He said the desalination plant was fully operational.

"It continues to support the water system, together with municipal boreholes," he said.

"These measures help, but the current demand outweighs the supply capacity.

"Because of the severity of the situation, Level Four water restrictions will come into effect from [Wednesday].

"These restrictions are necessary to protect what remains of our water supply and to ensure fair access for all our residents."

The Plettenberg Bay Ratepayers Association said it would support the municipality’s plan.

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