URGENT PUBLIC NOTICE: George Fire Brigade Telephone Landlines are Down
Issued by George Municipality 5 October 2023 at 16h10
All telephone landlines for the George Fire Brigade are currently down due to mechanical issues .Please use the following Cellphone Numbers for Emergencies until further notice.
Fire Control 074 621 8737 Other Emergencies 074 423 8635
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:
The generator for the Haarlem Water Treatment facility was successfully delivered, installed, tested and commissioned at the end of September 2023. The generators for Uniondale Water and Wastewater treatment facilities and Kleinkrantz Wastewater Treatment facility were delivered successfully at the end of September 2023. The installations, testing and commissioning are scheduled for October/November 2023. Due to the size of the Outeniqua Wastewater Treatment facility`s backup generator a separate procurement process had to be followed and is near completion. In summary, the overall project progress is as follow:
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 ) – 90%
Construction Phase:
Haarlem WTW ( ± 150 kVA diesel generator ) – 100%
Uniondale WTW ( ± 200 kVA diesel generator ) – 70%
Uniondale WWTW ( ± 200 kVA diesel generator ) – 70%
Kleinkrantz WWTW ( ± 300 kVA diesel generator ) – 70%
Outeniqua WWTW ( ± 1 000 kVA + 650 kVA diesel generator ) – 0%
The total project expenditure to date (as at end of September 2023) is approximately 37.6% 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/
NOTIFICATION OF THE INTERRUPTION
OF THE POTABLE WATER SUPPLY
THE FOLLOWING AREAS WILL BE AFFECTED: BORCHERDS, BLUE MOUNTAIN, DORMEHLSDRIFT NORTH, GROENKLOOF, LA VALIA, KRAAIBOSCH, PARKDENE, ROSEMORE, THEMBALETHU EAST
NOTICE is hereby given that the potable water supply will be interrupted from TUESDAY EVENING 10 OCTOBER 2023 FROM 20H00 TO WEDNESDAY MORNING 11 OCTOBER 2023 AT 06H00 for the purpose of doing alterations to the Kraaibosch potable water bulk supply pipeline.
Consumers are requested to please use water very sparingly during this period and for a few hours afterward to allow the network to stabilise.
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KENNISGEWING VAN DIE ONDERBREKING
VAN DIE GESUIWERDE WATER TOEVOER
DIE VOLGENDE AREAS SAL GERAAK WORD: BORCHERDS, BLUE MOUNTAIN, DORMEHLSDRIFT NORTH, GROENKLOOF, LA VALIA, KRAAIBOSCH, PARKDENE, ROSEMORE, THEMBALETHU EAST
KENNISGEWING geskied hiermee dat die gesuiwerde water toevoer onderbreek sal word vanaf DINSDAG AAND 10 OKTOBER 2023 om 20H00 TOT WOENSDAG OGGEND 11 OKTOBER OM 06H00 met die doel om veranderings aan die Kraaibosch gesuiwerde water hoofpypleidings te maak.
Verbruikers word versoek om water baie spaarsamig te gebruik gedurende hierdie tydeperk, en vir ‘n paar ure na die tyd sodat die netwerk kan stabiliseer .
DATED: UPGRADING OF ROADS AND STORMWATER:
DELVILLE PARK – PHASE 1 – 2022/23: WP05
The road rehabilitation and upgrade of stormwater infrastructure in Antelope Street,
Delville Park, will have an impact on residents and road users for the period from
April 2023 to 16 October 2023. The construction duration is estimated at 7 months
PROJECT:
UPGRADING OF ROADS AND STORMWATER: DELVILLE PARK – PHASE 1 – 2022/23: WP05
THE DESCRIPTION:
The rehabilitation of Golf Street in Ballots View as indicated in the figure.
PROJECT PERIOD: 29 May 2023 to 30 January 2024
SERVICE DISRUPTION:
Municipal services may be disrupted during this period due to construction activities. Whenever possible, advance notification of temporary disruptions will be sent out via social media.
WORKING HOURS:
Working hours will be from 07h00 to 18h00 Mondays to Fridays and 07h00 – 14h00 on Saturdays as may be needed from time to time.
TRAFFIC IMPACT:
Golf Street will be constructed in half widths and will remain open for one-way traffic in the direction from Libra to Bontebok Street as indicated in the figure. The first phase of construction commences on 29 May 2023.
Extra care is to be taken by road users and pedestrians throughout the duration of the construction period. Adherence to temporary road signage, flag persons and markings will be required.
PROJECT ENQUIRIES:
Consulting Engineers: IX Engineers (Phone: 082 944 3654)
The George Municipality apologises for the inconvenience and appeals to road users to be patient and exercise caution during the upgrade. Please look out for and adhere to temporary road signage and be aware of roadwork personnel.
Details of further road upgrade work will be published as may be necessary.
The George Municipality is currently experiencing multiple water network failures. Network adjustments had to be made due to the pipe failures. The higher pressure put on the alternate route has resulted in changes to the water colour.
The Municipality is in the process of flushing the system to get rid of the discoloured water.
The discoloured water is safe for bathing and showering, however before drinking we advise that it should be boiled.
We apologize for any inconvenience caused.
Owing to the stable electricity demand and generation performance, the current pattern where loadshedding is implemented from 16:00 until 05:00 the following day and suspended from 05:00 until 16:00, will continue daily until further notice. Eskom will communicate should any significant changes occur.
George will be affected as follows:
Wednesday 04/10/2023
None
Thursday 05/10/2023
20:00 – 22:30
Friday 06/10/2023
20:00 – 22:30
Saturday 07/10/2023
04:00 – 05:00
Sunday 08/10/2023
04:00 – 05:00
Uniondale will be affected as follows:
Wednesday 04/10/2023
17:00 – 19:30
Thursday 05/10/2023
16:00 – 17:30
23:00 – 01:30
Friday 06/10/2023
23:00 – 01:30
Saturday 07/10/2023
None
Sunday 08/10/2023
None
RESIDENTS ARE URGED TO USE WATER SPARINGLY DURING REPAIRS
A major bulk pipeline burst is affecting most of Thembalethu areas which are fed from the Thembalethu Tower. Municipal teams are on site and working on the fault.
The estimated time of repair is 2 hours.
Tankers are located as follows:
1 x Thusong Centre
https://maps.app.goo.gl/7PsUskrnWpnuNVPG7
1x Roaming in Zone 1
1x Roaming in Zone 9
George Municipality apologizes for the inconvenience.
RESIDENTS ARE URGED TO USE WATER SPARINGLY DURING REPAIRS
A major bulk pipeline burst is affecting most of Thembalethu areas which are fed from the Thembalethu Tower. Municipal teams are on site and working on the fault.
The estimated time of repair is 4 – 5 hours.
Tankers are located as follows:
1 x Thusong Centre
https://maps.app.goo.gl/7PsUskrnWpnuNVPG7
1x Roaming in Zone 1
1x Roaming in Zone 9
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13h40
A major bulk pipeline to Thembalethu has failed. The pipe burst will affect most of Thembalethu fed by the Thembalethu Tower. Municipal teams are on site and working on the fault.
GARDEN ROUTE DAM LEVEL – 4 October 2023
Issued 4 Octoberr 2023, George Municipality
Percentage storage at new raised dam wall height 99,45
Rainfall for the previous 7 days 9.7mm(Measured the last week 2023)
The cooperation of all users of municipal water is essential and is greatly appreciated.
Follow this link for the current Water Restrictions:
George Municipality continues to improve customer service delivery while reducing costly water losses, with the installation of over 2600 SMART water meters in the Blanco, Bos en Dal, Heather Park, Heatherlands, Groeneweide Park, Dormehlsdrift and George South areas. The existing water meters have reached their end of life and need to be replaced to ensure accurate meter readings and detection of water leaks within the homeowner’s property.
The SMART Water meters which have an expected 15-year constant accuracy lifespan enable a multitude of benefits for both George Municipality and its citizens:
• The smart water meters are not pre-paid and will not disconnect a consumer’s water supply.
• The meter reading and billing cycle is automated.
• Daily water usage and trend analysis can be monitored,
• and importantly leak and burst alarm notifications enable consumers to better control and manage their water consumption.
• The SMART water meters also enable George Municipality to react faster to water losses and provide a holistic view of the city’s water usage.
PROCESS OF INSTALLATION
• Homeowners will be issued a pre-installation notice together with a flow chart, 1 – 2 days before installation by the Contractor.
• The contractor will request and arrange property access for installation of the new stop valve and removal of old meter if installed inside the property.
• The excavation team will locate, excavate and expose the old pipes. Property access might be required from the resident.
• The property water will be closed off (Maximum 2 hours) and the old meter is removed once it’s meter reading has been recorded.
• The new SMART Water Meter is installed, and the serial number is written on the meter box. Property access is required for the stop valve installation.
• Water is restored to the property and the pipework is left exposed for 1-2 days for inspection and approval by Engineer.
• Once the inspection is completed, the reinstatement team will backfill around the meter, pipework and restore the property to original condition within one (1) week of approval.
• The contractor leaves a pamphlet for the resident containing the serial number of the new SMART Water Meter at the premises.
• The resident can now choose to register the new SMART Water Meter on the smartphone application Ontec George Home App or via the website link https://george.ontec.co.za/index.html.
• Ontec will integrate the meter with the municipal account – the resident does not have to take any action.
REGISTRATION TO ACCESS YOUR HOUSEHOLD’S SMART METER DATA
Residents will have access to George Home online at http://george.ontec.co.za and George Home smartphone application to track their own daily water consumption, respond to leakage alerts and manage multiple meters in one space. As the resident you will receive high usage warnings via SMS and Email and the near real-time consumption allows you to understand exactly where and when you are using water right now.
REGISTER IN 5 EASY STEPS
1. Go to george.ontec.co.za and select Customer Registration.
2. Enter your details, read and agree to the Terms and Conditions and select the Register Button.
3. An activation email will be sent to the email address specified.
4. Click on the Activate my George Home Account link in the email received.
5. Activate your SMART Water Meter
a) Go to My Profile > My Meters
b) Enter the above Meter Number at Add a Meter and Search.
c) Confirm details, complete the additional details and select ADD.
ONTEC REGISTERS YOUR NEW WATER METER TO ACTIVATE THE INTEGRATION WITH THE MUNICIPAL BILLING SYSTEM
1. Once installed, integration of the meter with the account is completed. George Municipality Accounts updates the meter number and the account data of the resident. OnTec submits information to municipal Accounts department to link the new SMART water with the customer’s account and the customer is then billed correctly via municipal billing system.
2. To ensure that billing is undertaken correctly and accurately, please expect to see Meter Readers come through to check the SMART water meter readings during the changeover process until the integration of the billing system with the electronic meter data is complete.
George Municipality acknowledges that some residents have faced difficulties during the implementation of the SMART water meter project and remains proactive in responding to residents’ concerns.
METER READING INTERVAL BETWEEN OLD AND NEW SMART WATER METER
One of these challenges is that in the month after the installation of the SMART Water Meter, your municipal account may reflect a higher-than-normal level of water consumption. This is caused by the change in the meter reading interval period, from the old meter to the new meters. This issue will then stabilize in the months following thereafter. We apologize to affected consumers and request consumers to contact our Finance Department for assistance.
• For queries related to the smart meter registration process please contact Ontec at 044 873 5474 or follow this link to
the SMART WATER METER Registration Page: https://george.ontec.co.za/index.html
• For any queries related to meter readings and billing please contact George Municipality Financial department at 044 801 9111 or 072 501 1843 after hours or e-mail accounts@george.gov.za.
• For complaints/compliments, please contact George Municipality at 044 801 9260/9262