The George Council, tightened water use, by introducing Level 2B to Level 2C restrictions, with immediate effect.
This decision was approved at a Special Meeting on Thursday, 04 December 2025.
The Garden Route Dam, is at a concerning 49%, with forecasts indicating further rapid decreases, as the festive season approaches.
Donovan Gultig, MMC for Civil Engineering Services, MMC for Civil Engineering Services, said “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.”
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,” said Johnson.
Further down the coast, dam levels supplying the City of Cape Town, are 15% lower than last summer.
The Mother City has received below-average rainfall this year.
Moreover, In October, the City’s weekly water dashboard shifted to an “early drought caution.”
Zahid Badroodien, Mayoral Committee Member (MMC) for Water and Sanitation in Cape Town, said this does not mean a drought is confirmed, but it indicates signals of a possible drought cycle emerging.
“It allows the City to prepare early by activating internal response committees, prioritising repairs and maintenance and working closely with the National Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) to ensure that the water system remains well balanced” said Badroodien.
Residents are urged to keep collective water use below 975 million litres per day (MLD), to secure water supply for the future.
In addition, the City said factors considered in determining whether there is a cause for concern include current and previous year’s dam levels, rainfall patterns in the current and following years, as well as water demand, especially over the hot summer months.
The Bitou Municipality’s presented its water situation to various stakeholders including those from the Department of Water and Sanitation, Engineers, Provincial department of planning.
The municipality is regarded as a medium risk in terms of its ability to provide water.
The town also has a desalination plant, which could be used soon.
Picture: Supplied