GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - With certain Garden Route areas having recently implemented water restrictions, the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) provided an update on general water security in the region.
According to the South African Weather Service (SAWS), the region has had below-average rainfall this year.
Wayne Venter, one of SAWS’s forecasters based in Cape Town, said the Garden Route as a whole is currently in a moderate level of drought with the potential to transition to severe if this year’s trend continues as it has thus far.
The DWS said general overviews of bulk water security across the province can sometimes be misleading, as they are based on weighted average storage levels and the overall availability of water for both urban and agricultural use.
“In reality, localised dynamics play a critical role in determining actual water availability and demand within specific areas. It is also important to note that rainfall patterns vary significantly across the province.
“While some regions receive the bulk of their rainfall during the winter months, areas such as the Southern Cape and Garden Route experience a more evenly distributed, year-round rainfall pattern, with peak precipitation typically occurring between November and February each year.”
At this stage, Mossel Bay’s water security situation remains stable, supported by the adequate capacity of the Wolwedans Dam and the availability of its desalination plant, which can contribute up to 30% of the municipality’s peak water demand if required, the DWS said.
Across the broader Garden Route region, conditions vary by locality, the department said.
“Riversdale currently faces no significant risk, with storage levels and supply remaining stable.
“George has expressed concerns regarding the Garden Route Dam, where water restrictions have been implemented to manage demand and ensure sustainable supply. It should be noted that current storage levels may also reflect delays in the refurbishment or upgrading of alternative supply infrastructure.
“Plettenberg Bay (Bitou Municipality) has also expressed concerns regarding the Roodefontein Dam. The municipality often manages the dam’s storage levels strategically, particularly when low flows are experienced from its primary source, the Keurbooms River.”
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