In the photo: Garden Route Dam’s dropping water levels highlight the urgent need for water conservation across George
The George Council, at a Special Meeting on Thursday, 04 December 2025, approved the implementation of stricter water demand management measures, moving from Level 2B to Level 2C with immediate effect. This follows the continued decline of the Garden Route Dam, now at 49%, with forecasts indicating further rapid decreases as the festive season approaches.
“Despite ongoing appeals and awareness campaigns, water consumption remains high, and non-compliance is increasing, while below-normal rainfall has placed the city’s water supply under significant pressure,” said Councillor Donovan Gultig, MMC for Civil Engineering Services, when tabling the item before Council.
Executive Mayor Browen Johnson said the Municipality can no longer rely on voluntary reductions. “We are entering a critical period. The dam is dropping by up to 2% per week, and seasonal demand will push the system even harder. I urge every resident, business, and visitor to use water sparingly,” Mayor Johnson said.
What Level 2C Water Demand Management Means for Residents and Businesses
Under Level 2C, all Level 2B measures remain in force, with the following additional mandatory reductions and prohibitions: • Emergency water tariffs remain in effect. • Households are limited to 15kl per month. • Businesses and entertainment facilities must reduce consumption by 25% (based on the past six-month average). • Industries must reduce consumption by 15%. • Flow-reducing devices may be installed for non-compliance (offenders are liable for the • installation cost, except for indigent households). • No hosing of structures, roofs, or paved areas using municipal water. • No hosepipe use by car wash businesses unless using non-potable or alternative water sources. • Irrigation of sports fields with potable water is prohibited once the dam levels reach 25%. • Public swimming pools may not be filled with potable water once the dam levels reach 25%. • Enhanced public awareness campaigns and intensified monitoring of high-use consumers. Additional maintenance teams are deployed to fast-track leak repairs.
In terms of Section 5 of the By-law, residents may apply in writing for exemption from specific restrictions. No potable water may be used for construction. Contractors may apply to the Civil Engineering Services Directorate to collect treated effluent from the Gwaiing Wastewater Treatment Works. A raw water supply point at the Wilderness Water Treatment Works (WTW) is planned, and the public will be notified once this has been implemented.
These restrictions currently apply to George only, and not to Uniondale or Haarlem.
Public Participation Process
Together with the Level 2C water restrictions, Emergency Water Tariffs will be implemented at Level 2 as per the Municipal 2025/26 Tariff List. The public is invited to submit comments or objections about the Emergency Water Tariffs within 14 days of the publication of the notice, which will be displayed at the Civic Centre, the Civil Engineering Services Building, and on the municipal website and the George Herald website on Friday, 5 December 2025. Comments must be sent to Ms Gail van Niekerk at gvanniekerk@george.gov.za or delivered handwritten submissions to the Directorate: Civil Engineering Services, Old Town Hall, corner of York and Market Streets, GEORGE, or to the closest area office. The closing date for submissions is Friday, 19 December 2025, at 12:00.
If no objections are received, Level 2 Emergency Water Tariffs will come into effect immediately. Should objections be received, the Executive Mayor has been delegated the authority to consider them during the Council recess and finalise implementation.
Residents are urged to familiarise themselves with the full Level 2C water restrictions and the Level 2 Emergency Water Tariffs and to always use water sparingly. For more information, visit the George Municipality website: www.george.gov.za