Repairs have been completed on the valve failure. Blanco reservoirs are busy filling up and thereafter the water network will take time to refill.
Please note Blanco will continue to experience low water pressure until the system rebalances.
Water tankers will remain in place until 20:00 tonight.
ETR 5-6 Hours
Following a 450mm pipe failure on 17 April in very difficult to access terrain, a temporary repair completed on morning of the 19th April together with a failed valve has left areas of Blanco without water. Civil Engineering teams are on site.
WATER TANKERS REMAIN IN POSITION
Tanker stationed near Pollock’s Place.
Tanker stationed at Mont Fleur Estate entrance
Tanker stationed on corner Crystal Avenue & Golden Valley Drive
Tanker stationed at Roman Catholic Church, Die Rus will be withdrawn shortly.
Residents in Blanco, Heather Park and Heatherlands are urged to reduce water consumption as much as possible to avoid reservoirs running dry and maintain network pressure so water can reach all areas.
Following a 450mm pipe failure on 17 April in very difficult to access terrain, a temporary repair completed on morning of the 19th April together with a failed valve yesterday evening, has left areas of Blanco without water. Civil Engineering teams are on site for repair work to the valve. An ETR can not be given.
WATER TANKERS REMAIN IN POSITION
Tanker stationed near Pollock’s Place.
Tanker stationed at Mont Fleur Estate entrance
Tanker stationed ar Roman Catholic Church, Die Rus
Tanker stationed on corner Crystal Avenue & Golden Valley Drive
Residents in Blanco, Heather Park and Heatherlands are urged to reduce water consumption as much as possible to avoid reservoirs running dry and maintain network pressure so water can reach all areas.
Valve failure in Plantation Road on the 450 mm pipeline in Blanco. Teams will isolate and attempt to fix. .
WATER TANKERS
Tanker stationed near Pollock’s Place.
Tanker stationed at Mont Fleur Estate entrance
Tanker stationed ar Roman Catholic Church, Die Rus
Tanker stationed on corner Crystal Avenue & Golden Valley Drive
Residents in Blanco, Heather Park and Heatherlands are urged to reduce water consumption as much as possible to avoid reservoirs running dry and maintain network pressure so water can reach all areas.
Water trucks will start roaming at 6am tomorrow morning.
ETR cannot be provided at this point.
A temporary repair has been completed to supply water to Blanco following the pipe failure on 17 April. George Municipality is aware that Maitland Street, Searle Street and Mont Fleur Estate currently do not have water and a large tanker is stationed near Pollock’s Place. A smaller tanker is stationed at Mont Fleur Estate entrance.
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A temporary repair has been completed to supply water to Blanco following the pipe failure on 17 April. George Municipality is aware that Maitland Street, Searle Street and Mont Fleur Estate currently do not have water and a tanker is being dispatched. Location will be updated once tanker is in position.
Excavation and repairwork is continuing at the site of the 450mm pipeburst in Heatherlands.
Please note the affected areas will either have no water or experience low water pressure.
Additional water tankers in place:
1 x Die Rus,
1 x Golden Valley,
1 x Millie’s,
1 x Fortuin Street and 1 roaming.
Areas Affected
The affected area includes a portion of Blanco, Heatherpark and Heatherlands.
Specific streets affected are Maitland Street, Searle Street. Preekstoel Street and the farms fed from the ESKOM reservoir.
We ask residents in Blanco, Heather Park and Heatherlands to please reduce your water consumption as much as possible to avoid reservoirs running dry.
Issued George Municipality, 18 April @ 16:30
The George Cleansing department requests residents to please leave their green refuse bags out for collection as any backlog will be addressed tomorrow and over the weekend. We apologize for any inconvenience and trust that as of Monday the service will continue smoothly.
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Issued George Municipality, 18 April @ 12:30
Following a pipe failure located behind Hawthorndene, there are some areas in Blanco, Heather Park and Heatherlands who may experience low water pressure or no water. The location of the site is very difficult to access and resources have been mobilized for the repair, but it is not possible to provide an ETR as of yet.
We please ask residents in Blanco,. Heather Park and Heatherlands to please reduce your water consumption as much as possible to avoid reservoirs running dry.
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Following a pipe failure we have some areas in Blanco, Heather Park and Heatherlands who may experience low water pressure or no water. The problem area has been identified and an ETR will follow.
We please ask residents of these areas to reduce your water consumption as much as possible to avoid reservoirs running dry.
Further updates will be provided.
Special Council held on Friday 12 April 2024 resolved that, as of May 1, 2024, water restrictions in George will be eased from Level 2C to Level 2B. This means that emergency tariffs will no longer apply, and standard water tariffs will be charged.
Background
Stricter water restrictions were implemented in December 2022 due to the existing Water Treatment Works’ inability to meet the demand for drinking water. To address this, a temporary water purification package plant capable of treating 5Ml/day was installed. This plant served as a supplement during periodic shutdowns of the existing Water Treatment Works for maintenance, upgrades, and the ongoing construction of the new 20Ml Water Treatment Works plant.
Upgrades in Progress
The George Municipality received a Budget Facility for Infrastructure Funding (BFI) grant of R1.107 billion from the National Treasury in the 2021/22 financial year. The project, consisting of 12 different components, is expected to be completed within the next two years. The BFI project allows for the extension of George’s water treatment capacity over two phases spanning three years (2022 – 2025). Phase 2 entails an additional 20 Mℓ/day extension to the New George Water Treatment Works (WTW), and Phase 3 involves constructing an additional 30 Mℓ balancing dam at the New George Water Treatment Works (WTW).
The water restrictions imposed in December 2022 have been maintained up till now to manage the water demand, especially during frequent WTW shutdowns required for BFI construction. The package plant will continue operating until the completion, commissioning, and operation of the new 20Ml/day plant. The progress of the 20Ml/day extension will be reassessed again later this year, together with the possible impact of the seasonal peak for 2024/25 and the ongoing population growth in George taken into account. If necessary, stricter water restrictions will have to again be reintroduced.
Monitoring Raw Water Resources
Raw water resources, affected by increased demand and drier than usual conditions will continue to be closely monitored. Despite the Garden Route Dam being refilled to 100% capacity due to unusually heavy rainfall last week on April 9, this does not influence the decision to ease existing restrictions. Water remains a scarce resource that must be protected and preserved at all costs.
Level 2B Water Restrictions effective from May 1, 2024, in the George city area, and not in Uniondale and Haarlem:
1. The mechanical irrigation of gardens with municipal potable water is prohibited.
2. Gardens may be watered at any time using a handheld bucket.
3. Gardens may be watered using a handheld garden hose only within specified time frames.
George has been named a regional semi-finalist for the prestigious Western Cape title in kykNET’s Kwêla Town of the Year competition. This exciting announcement follows an enthusiastic response from voters in the initial round, as revealed on Kwêla’s broadcast tonight at 7 pm. George Tourism is elated by this achievement and urges everyone to continue their support by casting their votes once again in this pivotal second round. Despite being technically classified as a city, George qualifies for the Town of the Year competition due to its population of less than 500,000 residents.
Joan Shaw, Tourism Manager for George encouraged everyone to join her in voting for George. “As George residents, we tend to take the privilege of living in George for granted, but let’s count our blessings. We are situated in the ‘sweet spot’ of the world-famous Garden Route, with access to all its wonders, with pristine roads and an airport on our doorstep. Surrounded by mountains, rivers, oceans, and lakes, in forests and farmlands that provide an array of produce from milk to beer, with fruit, vegetables, and an abundance of rain. Our town is well-governed and clean, the air is crisply clean and even has a public transport service! We have world-class shops, schools, golf courses and more offering high employment numbers and a thriving economy. Please join me in voting for George today,” she said.
The stakes are high, with the winning town set to receive a remarkable R1 million advertising contract on kykNET, providing an invaluable opportunity to promote George as a premier tourist destination both domestically and in Namibia.
Every SMS vote counts, contributing to the collective effort to showcase George’s charm and appeal to a wider audience.
SMS lines will be open for voting from April 14 to April 19. To nominate George, simply SMS ‘George’ to 33157. Each SMS costs R1.50, and individuals are encouraged to vote multiple times, up to a maximum of 30 votes per number.
The final showdown will occur between 14 – 19 July, with the ultimate winner being announced on 28 July during a special broadcast on Kwêla. The victorious town will not only claim the coveted title of Town of the Year but also secure a lucrative R1 million advertising contract with kykNET. Additionally, Lottoland will generously contribute a cash prize of R1 million to further invest in the town’s development.
To further enhance George’s chances of success we ask all of our schools, colleges, universities, and businesses to rally behind the cause and mobilize your communities to vote between 14 – 19 April. For those interested in playing a more active role in the campaign, businesses can reach out to George Municipality’s Tourism Manager, Joan Shaw, at jshaw@george.gov.za for additional information.
Witness the allure of George in this captivating video showcasing the town’s finest offerings: https://tinyurl.com/4f8wt2zc
Let’s unite in support of George’s bid to become South Africa’s favourite town and secure its place as the Regional Winner en route to the final round in July!
#GeorgeTownoftheYear2024 #GeorgeDorpvandieJaar2024
WATCH KWELA ON Sunday 14 April, 2024 at 7pm on KykNET, DStv channel 144
Hierdie week op Kwêla / This week on Kwêla
Ons maak die eerste drie Kwêla Dorp van die Jaar streke se top 3 benoemings vir 2024 bekend. (Noord-Kaap, Mpumalanga en die Wes-Kaap) /
We announce the first three Kwêla Town of the Year regions’ top 3 nominations for 2024. (Northern Cape, Mpumalanga and the Western Cape)
#GeorgeDorpvandieJaar2024 #GeorgeTownoftheYear2024
George Disaster Management Services have advised that the Outeniqua Pass is closed to motorists with immediate effect due to excess water on the road surface. Traffic Officials will be stationed at the entrances from George and Oudtshoorn side.
Updates will be provided should the pass reopen for vehicles.
Severe weather warnings for damaging winds and rainfall remain in place for the George area, with the heavy rainfall predicted to land early hours of Monday 8 April (02:00). Accompanying high winds are expected 50-60km.
George Disaster Management Services is monitoring weather developments and the public will be updated via George Municipal Social Media Channels.
Motorists are warned to drive with caution due to heavy rainfall and mist which is affecting visibility.
A warning to refrain from walking/ and or swimming at any of the beaches remains in place. Avoid parking vehicles at the beach parking areas as they could be affected by storm surges.
AFTER-HOURS AND EMERGENCIES: 044 801 6300
TOLL-FREE DISASTER NUMBER: 087 152 9999
FIRE EMERGENCIES: 044 801 6311
Live updates up on the WCG page:
For information and latest updates about the impact of the storm on the Western Cape please:
– call the Western Cape Government’s call centre on 0860 142 142 (operational 24/7 till further notice)
– visit the the Western Cape Government’s website: www.westerncape.gov.za
– visit the dedicated webpage: https://www.westerncape.gov.za/general-publication/severe-weather-alerts-and-updates-7-apri
CONTRACT: T/ING/041/2023 UPGRADING OF THE GEORGE SOUTH STORMWATER
INFRASTRUCTURE: PHASE 1
THE GEORGE MUNICIPALITY WOULD LIKE TO INFORM ROAD USERS AND RESIDENTS
THAT SECTIONS OF NEWTON AND HOPE STREETS WILL BE CLOSED AS INDICATED.
THE ROAD CLOSURES ARE REQUIRED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF STORMWATER
CULVERTS WITHIN THE ROAD RESERVE.
MOTORISTS WILL BE REDIRECTED VIA MITCHELL AND FICHAT STREETS. THE
CONTRACTOR WILL LIAISE DIRECTLY WITH THE AFFECTED RESIDENTS IN ADVANCE
TO ARRANGE LOCAL ACCESS WHERE AND WHEN REQUIRED.
DELIVERY/OTHER VEHICLES (GVM +9000KG) TO USE ALTERNATIVE ROUTES
(NO HEAVY MOTOR-VEHICLES IN THE GEORGE SOUTH RESIDENTIAL AREAS).
PLEASE REPORT INCIDENTS OR QUERIES TO ALEWYN DIPPENAAR AT: 082 457 5675
The Western Cape Provincial government has authorized a sum total of R88.185 million rand from the Provincial Unforeseen and Unavoidable Reserve Fund to assist municipalities with the unforeseen and immediate impact of prolonged load-shedding on water and wastewater services.
In terms of this allocated Funding, George Municipality has received the sum of R14 220 000 (VAT included) as a contribution toward the purchase and installation of back-up energy supply. This back-up supply can include generators, renewable power sources, batteries and all ancillary costs associated with the installation thereof for example, switch gear, safe keeping, caging etc. for water and wastewater infrastructure.
This grant funding will assist the George Municipality in ensuring a healthy environment and to continue with the provision of basic services to our citizens and businesses during the current load-shedding.
The municipality is in process of purchasing emergency diesel generators that will be placed strategically as follows:
Water Treatment Works
Haarlem WTW (+_ 150kVA diesel generator)
Uniondale WTW (+- 200kVA diesel generator)
Waste Water Treatment Works
Uniondale WWTW (+_ 200 kVA diesel generator)
Kleinkrantz WWTW (+_ 300 kVA diesel generator)
Outeniqua WWTW (+_ 1000 kVA diesel generator)
Progress to Date:
Procurement Phase: Appointment of Consultant ( Complete ) – 100%
Appointment of Contractor: Haarlem WTW ( Complete ) – 100%
Uniondale WTW ( Complete ) – 100%
Uniondale WWTW ( Complete ) – 100%
Kleinkrantz WWTW ( Complete ) – 100%
Outeniqua WWTW ( In Progress ) – 100%
Construction Phase:
Haarlem WTW ( ± 150 kVA diesel generator ) – 100%
Uniondale WTW ( ± 200 kVA diesel generator ) – 100%
Uniondale WWTW ( ± 200 kVA diesel generator ) – 100%
Kleinkrantz WWTW ( ± 300 kVA diesel generator ) – 100%
Outeniqua WWTW ( ± 1 000 kVA + 650 kVA diesel generator ) – 70%
In terms of the above the total expenditure to date for the project is therefore approximately 97.2% of the current funding allocation
Link to further information on how George Municipality is trying to mitigate the impact of load-shedding for George. https://www.george.gov.za/what-is-george-municipality-doing-to-alleviate-eskom-loadshedding-and-other-renewable-energy-projects/
In order to replenish the emergency reserves for the week ahead, Stage 2 loadshedding will be implemented from 16:00 today until 05:00 on Monday morning.
Thereafter, loadshedding will be suspended until 16:00 on Monday when Stage 2 loadshedding will be implemented until 05:00 on Tuesday.
This pattern of suspending loadshedding from 05:00 until 16:00 and Stage 2 loadshedding from 16:00 until 05:00 will be repeated daily until further notice.
George will be affected as follows:
Sunday 24/03/2024
None
Monday 25/03/2024
02:00 – 04:30
Tuesday 26/03/2024
18:00 – 20:30
Wednesday 27/03/2024
18:00 – 20:30
Thursday 28/03/2024
02:00 – 04:30
Friday 29/03/2024
00:00 – 02:30
Uniondale will be affected as follows
Sunday 24/03/2024
None
Monday 25/03/2024
None
Tuesday 26/03/2024
21:00 – 23:30
Wednesday 27/03/2024
21:00 – 23:30
Thursday 28/03/2024
None
Friday 29/03/2024
03:00 – 05:30
