Stellenbosch Mayor: Level 6 Restrictions Now in Effect

On the 24th of January, we received feedback from the Mayor of Stellenbosch with regards to how the #CapeDrought is and would affect us as residents and businesses in the Franschhoek (Boland) areas.

Stellenbosch Municipality is moving to Level 6 water restrictions, as of 1 February 2018.

Residents will be restricted to 87 litres of water per person per day until further notice.

The City of Cape Town has moved to level 6B and is restricting their residents to 50 litres per day.

Stellenbosch Municipality may decide to increase restrictions to level 6B at a later date.

Currently, the Greater Stellenbosch has achieved a saving of 44% compared to 2015.

This water consumption needs to be reduced further in relation to the 2015 baseline usage to achieve a saving of 45%.

For now residents must limit their daily water consumption to 87 litres per day. This means that any person’s combined water consumption at work, home and any other place he or she may go throughout the day must not exceed 87 litres per day.

In June 2017 the Stellenbosch Municipal Council approved a Drought Management Plan.

This plan made R45 million available for the sourcing of additional groundwater and purification plants for boreholes. Since then 8 000 Ml (Mega Litre) water per day has been sourced and advanced planning is in place for an additional 6 000 Ml per day.

Conservatively the Municipality can assure the region of 14 000 Ml per day.

Additional holes are being drilled and are expected to deliver a further 4 000 Ml water per day before the end of February 2018. The Municipality is planning to have 18 000 Ml purified water per day available from 1 April 2018. As we continue to connect the boreholes to our main water supply system, our water dependence on the City of Cape Town’s sources will decrease significantly.

By the end of March 2018, we will take Klapmuts, Franschhoek and the Dwarsrivier Valley (including Pniel, Kylemore, Johannesdal and Lanquedoc) off the Wemmershoek system and connect it to our own system, freeing up water for the City of Cape Town.

The Municipality is also working closely with the University of Stellenbosch to ensure that the students are aware of the water restrictions. The university has launched water saving schemes, which should drastically reduce its water consumption.

The Municipality urges all residents to give their full cooperation in this matter.

Residents who do not adhere to the restrictions will face hefty fines.

Residents must make every effort to collect and recycle grey water and to limit their use of potable (drinkable) water as much as possible.

In summary: Judged on the present water supply and demand, Stellenbosch Municipality is confident that it will be able to provide for the most basic water needs of all our residents.

Cooperation is however critical and every person must take up the challenge to save and recycle water wherever possible. Water will remain very scarce and there will be no room for any waste or exceeding the water restrictions.

Let us join hands and together face this difficult situation. Working together we can overcome this challenge.

[UPDATE]

CAPE TOWN DAM LEVEL UPDATES as at June 22- 2018