George Municipality calls for disaster declaration amid severe drought

The George Municipality's has called for the municipal area to be classified as a Local Disaster Area amid worsening drought conditions and sharply declining dam levels, has been sent for approval.

The council unanimously approved the request on January 29, with the submission now before the Provincial Disaster Management Centre for assessment.

Municipal spokesperson, Ntobeko Mangqwengqwe, said via a statement, that the municipality is facing “critical water shortages following prolonged below-average rainfall, which is expected to continue”.

George’s primary water source, the Garden Route Dam, was recorded at 44.77% on January 26, a steep decline from 87.87% at the same time last year. The Haarlem Dam, supplying Haarlem and Uniondale, stood at 24.00%, compared with 85.42% a year ago. Uniondale’s supply from the Kammanassie River has also been severely depleted, with limited groundwater available.

Mangqwengqwe said the municipal area is being affected by both hydro-meteorological drought, reducing dam, river and groundwater levels, and agricultural drought, which is impacting soil moisture, crops and farming activity.

“The disaster declaration allows for stronger coordination with the Garden Route District Municipality and other government spheres, access to relief mechanisms, and the implementation of short- and long-term measures to address water scarcity,” Mangqwengqwe said.

Level 2D water restrictions and Level 3 emergency tariffs remain in place to curb consumption and help cover additional operational costs. A Water Management Task Team continues to monitor dam levels and coordinate interventions.

In practical terms, being declared a Local Disaster Area would allow George Municipality to fast-track emergency interventions, reprioritise budgets, and apply for provincial and national disaster relief funding not ordinarily accessible. It also strengthens coordination with the Garden Route District Municipality and other spheres of government, while allowing limited regulatory flexibility to implement urgent measures to protect water supply and public health. Any declaration would be time-bound and subject to oversight and audit.

Alongside the request, the municipality has intensified a water-saving awareness campaign across the municipal area, with a specific focus on Thembalethu.

“Over the past two weeks, law enforcement officials, assisted by beach monitors, have been actively engaging communities in Thembalethu,” Mangqwengqwe said. Outreach included the distribution of water-saving pamphlets, the placement of posters at shops and supermarkets, and direct engagement with residents.

More than 200 taxis have been fitted with water-saving posters through a partnership with the local taxi association, while posters were also installed at the taxi rank, public ablution facilities and Thembalethu Primary School.

Mangqwengqwe said officials also received reports of water leaks during the outreach. “These were immediately referred to the Civil Engineering Services Department for attention and repair,” he said.

The campaign has since expanded to Parkdene and Maraiskamp and will continue to roll out to other areas. The Government Communication and Information System has also assisted by distributing water-saving leaflets during pre-State of the Nation Address activations at the George Taxi Rank, with further outreach planned at Thembalethu Square Mall on 9 February.

“Residents are urged to use water sparingly and comply with all restrictions to preserve available resources during this critical period,” Mangqwengqwe said.

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