GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - At a friendly meeting between the Camdeboo Community Development Forum and the Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality last week, the ongoing water shortage was identified as the most critical issue in town.

The forum was represented by its executive committee (exco) while Mayor Willem Safers and Director of Infrastructure Services Bennie Arends represented the municipality. 

Following the meeting the mayor and forum members appealed to communities to adhere to water restrictions put in place in December 2019, and to report any instances of vandalism and theft of water and electricity infrastructure.

The purpose of the forum's meeting with the municipality was to discuss issues of concern and come up with possible solutions.

Exco member Brian April emphasised the forum's wish to assist in finding solutions to problems, and stressed they have no intention of downplaying the municipality. 

The municipality must, therefore, feel free to talk to them openly. This was affirmed by his co-member Joseph Pienaar, who said the forum will not put problems on the table and expect the municipality to solve them alone – the forum and community will also strive to come up with solutions.

Water crisis

Regarding the water shortage in Graaff-Reinet, Arends said that when the Nqweba Dam level reached 8,4% in April 2021, supply from the dam was discontinued due to poor quality and since then Graaff-Reinet has been solely reliant on borehole water. 

At present, the level of the dam is only at 4,98% due to evaporation. 

Before the drought the municipality produced 12 ML of water from the dam and since the supply was discontinued, there has been a shortfall.

This shortfall is increasing as the water demand exceeds available sources. Low rainfall figures resulted in decreased water supply from boreholes and load-shedding continues to have a considerable impact.

There has been a reduction of reservoir levels to 0,3% in all towns and in Graaff-Reinet, high-laying and low-laying areas are now experiencing water supply interruptions or shortages, forcing the municipality to transport water to affected areas such as uMasizakhe, Kroonvale, Asherville, Bergendal and Horseshoe.

Municipal intervention
Arends said the municipality has constructed 22 borehole stations in the Northern wellfield (Dam Camp) and eight borehole stations in the Mimosadale wellfield.

In addition, 10 boreholes were drilled in the Northern wellfield. The best producing four have been equipped and are in use, three boreholes were added to the system in the Bergendal area, and four boreholes were constructed in SANParks. This brings the boreholes supplying water to Graaff-Reinet to a total of 42.

The municipality also installed additional water tanks and water containers to assist with the drinking water supply. Arends said more projects are underway - some of these projects are already funded and for others, funding applications have been submitted.

Over-consumption
Arends said over-consumption of water is one of the greatest challenges. While the average household is supposed to use a maximum of 20 KL, many use about 50 KL and more – a number of these as much as 100 KL. 

"This is not the municipality's responsibility. The municipality's responsibility ends at the water meter," he said. "Residents must take it upon themselves to adhere to water restrictions."

In terms of these restrictions, the following are prohibited:

1. The use of water obtained from the municipality's water supply system for: a) watering of gardens, lawns, grassed areas, flowerbeds, sports fields, bowling greens and the like; b) filling or topping up of fountains, ornamental ponds, and the like; and c) filling of swimming- and paddling pools d) washing of paved areas, walls, roofs, buildings and similar structures.
2. The use or operation of: a) hosepipes; b) sprinklers c) automatic swimming pool fillers d) automatic urinal flushing systems.
3. The connection of a hosepipe or any form of irrigation system to a tap supplying water from the municipality's water supply system unless for the purposes permitted in terms of water restriction notice.

The following are exempted from the prohibitions contained in the water restriction notice:

1. The use of reclaimed water obtained from sources other than the municipality's water supply system.
2. Watering gardens, lawns, grassed areas and flowerbeds using a handheld container.
3. The use or operation of a hose pipe or sprinkler system for firefighting.
4. The filling of a new pool on completion of initial construction.
5. Commercial vehicle washing where at least 70% of the water is recycled (Vehicle washing using a handheld container is permitted). 
6. Watering of plants, trees, and shrubs in commercial, state, and municipal nurseries. 
7. The filling of swimming pools at hotels, fitness centres, medical centres, schools, educational institutions, and institutions of higher education.

Vandalism and theft
Vandalism and theft are major concerns, not only due to the impact on the supply of water and electricity, but also because of the enormous cost involved in repairing or replacing damaged or stolen infrastructure. 

Mayor Safers appeals to residents to keep their eyes and ears open and to come forward with any information that may lead to the arrest of the perpetrators.

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