22 October 2026
LANGEBERG PREPARES FOR LONG-TERM WATER SECURITY
Langeberg Municipality is strengthening water security across the municipal area to meet our community's future growth and demand.
The recently completed Water Master Plan identified approximately R831.9 million in infrastructure investment required over the next 15 years. This includes upgrades to water treatment works, pump stations and bulk pipelines, increased reservoir capacity and network improvements. A pipe-replacement priority plan has also identified approximately R70 million required over the next five years to replace critical aging asbestos water pipes. Investing in long-term planning is essential to protect and strengthen this valuable and unpredictable natural resource, influenced by changing rainfall patterns and seasonal conditions. As highlighted in the previous newsletter, Langeberg can experience both extended dry periods, above normal temperatures and even intense rainfall events.
Langeberg relies largely on surface water, with each town supplied by a combination of dams, rivers, irrigation schemes and other raw-water sources. The availability of water and treatment capacity differs between towns, with some systems already operating close to their available capacity.
McGregor and Bonnievale's water treatment works are operating above their existing treatment capacity, while Robertson and Montagu are operating at a high percentage of their available capacity. Addressing these pressures now is important to ensure that infrastructure keeps pace with current and future demand.
Managing The Water We Have
Infrastructure investment is only one part of water security. Water losses for 2025/26 were 16.72%, which is below the national target range of 20% to 25%. The Municipality nevertheless intends to reduce water losses further through measures such as active leak detection and pressure management.
A Water Conservation and Water Demand Management Strategy and Implementation Plan was compiled in 2025 and was recently approved by Council. Further measures, including accurate water metering as well as the mentioned active leak detection, pressure management and pipe replacement, will support continued water-loss reduction.
The Municipality will continue monitoring rainfall, dam levels, water consumption, raw-water availability and climatic forecasts to inform planning. Should water resource conditions require it, appropriate measures such as the suspension of irrigation water supply and water restrictions could be implemented according to the Drought Management Plan.
Responsible water use is a shared responsibility. While the Municipality continues to invest in infrastructure, alternative water sources and improved efficiency, each household, business and water user should help protect Langeberg's water resources by using water responsibly, and implement all possible water saving measures, especially during the summer months.
Montagu
Montagu is supplied by the Kruis River, Rietvlei River, the Breede River via Ashton, and the CBR Pumping Scheme when needed. The upgraded and increased pumping capacity of the Breede River pumpstation resulted in the Upperdam being 100% and the Lowerdam being 73% full. A key concern is the deteriorating pipeline between Ashton and Montagu. Frequent breaks cause pumping downtime and can affect the supply of sufficient raw water, particularly during summer. A 350-metre section was replaced during 2024/25, but replacing the full 13-kilometre pipeline is estimated at R75 million and is considered critical within the next two years. A feasibility study is underway to investigate alternative reliable water sources, including Keurkloof and boreholes. The study is expected to be completed by June 2027.
McGregor
McGregor currently has acceptable dam levels, with Vaaldam at 85%, Rooidam at 95% and Drinkwater Dam at 100% in August 2026. However, the town relies on a single water source, making its water security particularly dependent on sufficient rainfall. The McGregor Water Treatment Works is being upgraded from 600 to 1,400 kilolitres per day. Construction commenced in April 2026 and is scheduled for completion in April 2028, at an estimated cost of R55.2 million. Boreholes are also being investigated as an alternative raw-water source. The condition of the Houtbaai River weir, although not municipal infrastructure, remains a water-security concern because water is lost at the weir when river levels are low. The responsible water authority is attending to the repair of the Houtbaai River weir.
Bonnievale
Bonnievale receives raw water from the Zanddrift irrigation canal which is supplied from the Breede River as well as direct extraction from the Breede River. Both these were damaged during the May 2026 flood, which caused emergency repairs. Although the current supply can accommodate demand, increasing demand from the Lactalis factory is reducing the reserve treatment capacity available during peak periods. The Bonnievale Water Treatment Works are therefore being upgraded.
The first phase will increase treatment capacity from 5,000 to 6,000 kilolitres per day, while the longer-term second phase will increase capacity to 10,000 kilolitres per day. The upgrade will address current operational challenges, future demand and water-quality requirements. The Municipality is also initiating the detailed design of an upgrade to the Bonnievale Breede River pump station to ensure sufficient raw water can be pumped when required. Other sources of raw water and storage are currently being investigated.
Robertson
Robertson receives bulk raw water from several sources, including the Robertson (Brandvlei) Irrigation Canal, the De Hoops River Irrigation Scheme, the Vrekhoek mountain stream and mountain dams such as Dassieshoek and Koos Kok, which capture rainfall from the surrounding catchment.
Several upgrades have strengthened the town's raw water supply. The siphon pipeline to Gumgrove Dam was upgraded in July 2025, the Canal Pump Station in December 2025, and the Gumgrove Pump Station in March 2026. These upgrades have increased pumping capacity and provided greater operational flexibility.
The Municipality is also progressing with the raising of the Dassieshoek Dam wall, with detailed design, a hydrology study and environmental assessment underway. More information on this project is provided in the dedicated Dassieshoek Dam article in this newsletter.
Funding has been secured for the detailed design of an additional Breede River abstraction pump station. The possibility of boreholes on Municipal land in the Dassieshoek area is also being investigated as an alternative water source.
The Robertson Water Treatment Works (WTW) still requires upgrading to accommodate additional flow and maintain continuous compliance with water quality requirements. The upgrade is dependent on availability of funds for this purpose.
Ashton
Ashton receives water from the Breede River through several abstraction schemes. The Breede River pump station was recently upgraded and can now supply up to 145 litres per second to the Ashton storage dam. This has improved the Municipality's ability to abstract water, including during periods of low river levels.
Further investment is required to upgrade the pipeline between the pump station and Ashton Water Treatment Works (WTW) within the next five years. This will support a sustainable supply to Ashton and provide sufficient raw water for transfer to Montagu. The Ashton WTW also requires upgrading to meet future demand. Funding for these two projects has not yet been secured.
Extensive maintenance work was completed at the Ashton WTW during 2025/26. Further work to reduce water losses and re-use backwash water is planned, with the backwash-system upgrade scheduled for 2027/28. Water is pumped from the Breede River directly to the Ashton WTW or to the Ashton Storage Dam. With the recently increased pumping capacity at the Breede River pumpstation, the Ashton Storage Dam can effectively be managed to maintain between 80 and 100% at all times.
Water Quality Remains Satisfactory
While water security requires ongoing investment and planning, the Municipality's current drinking-water quality remains satisfactory. Water quality is comprehensively monitored in accordance with SANS 241:2015, with verification undertaken through an accredited laboratory. Reported water quality indicators for the Municipality's distribution systems indicate compliance with SANS 241.
Maintaining this standard requires adequate operational coverage by addressing the need for additional Process Controllers and continued upgrading of water treatment works.
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