LANGEBERG MUNICIPALITY TO IMPLEMENT WATER RESTRICTIONS AMID CRITICAL SUPPLY CONCERNS

Updated 23 October 2025

In response to critically low dam levels and increasing water demand across the Langeberg Municipal area, the Municipality has implemented Level 1 water restrictions in all towns, in line with the Langeberg Drought Management Policy, effective 1 November 2025.

The decision follows a season of exceptionally low winter rainfall, which has left key water sources —particularly the Dassieshoek Dam (Robertson) and Bo-Dam (Montagu) — at alarmingly low levels. Dassieshoek Dam currently sits at 24%, down from 67% in October 2024, while Bo-Dam has dropped to 38%, compared to 78% last year.

Municipal officials warn that the situation poses a significant risk as the region enters the high-demand summer season. Despite public appeals since September to reduce consumption, water usage has continued to rise.

What Level 1 Restrictions Mean for Residents

• Revised Water Tariffs Effective 1 November 2025

Revised water tariffs linked to the Level 1 restrictions will be implemented from your next meter reading and billing cycle, effective 1 November 2025.

•     Residential properties: A 50% rate increase applies once monthly usage exceeds 30 kilolitres.
•     Non-residential consumers: A 10% tariff increase applies once monthly usage exceeds 30 kilolitres.

Water tariffs (Excl. VAT) for residential users:

 Water tariffs (Excl. VAT) for non-residential users:

•  Garden Watering:
• • Leiwater (non-potable irrigation water) will be supplied every second week in Robertson and McGregor as per the schedule available at https://www.langeberg.gov.za/services/irrigation-schedule.html. If the water consumption does not decline, the irrigation water (leiwater) to Robertson and McGregor will be terminated.
  • Watering may only be done for two hours per day between 18:00 – 20:00, on two days per week.

o    The following arrangement to ensure sufficient pressure for watering:

-          Even-numbered street addresses: Mondays and Thursdays (18:00 – 20:00).

-          Odd-numbered street addresses: Tuesdays and Fridays (18:00 – 20:00).

• Sports facilities:
• • Only cricket pitches, golf course greens, and bowling greens may be watered for two hours per day, twice per week only on Tuesdays and Fridays, unless using a private water source.
  • Facilities where irrigation water is provided will irrigate as per the bi-weekly schedule available at https://www.langeberg.gov.za/services/irrigation-schedule.html.
  • Users that draw water directly from the Robertson siphon pipeline may irrigate according to the schedule, only during the week when leiwater is not provided. During the week that leiwater is provided no irrigation will be allowed from the siphon pipeline.
• Indigent Households

o    Indigent households should contact Langeberg Municipality for leakage repairs.

• Prohibited Uses:
• No hosing of roofs, driveways, or vehicles with a garden hose.
• Restrictions do not apply to full-time commercial car wash businesses.

Urgent Infrastructure Needs and Long-Term Planning

The Municipality’s Water Master Plan highlights the urgent need for infrastructure upgrades, estimating a R831 million investment over the next 15 years. This includes pump station refurbishments, pipeline replacements, and increased reservoir capacity.

Next Steps and Monitoring

If overall water consumption does not decrease by at least 10%, the Municipality may escalate to Level 2 restrictions from 1 December 2025, and to Level 3 if conditions worsen. Restrictions will be lifted once dam levels and consumption stabilise

No application for relief from these restrictions will be granted to any individual or business. The decision is based on the relatively low water tariffs in the Langeberg Municipal area compared across the block tariff structure of other municipalities. The graph below provides a high-level overview showing that, even with increased tariffs under restriction levels, Langeberg’s water rates remain among the lowest.

Report any water leakages to the 24/7 call centre:

• Call: 0860 88 1111
• WhatsApp: 065 211 7822
• Collab Citizen App: https://onelink.to/jjzt2k
• E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Thank you for your understanding and support towards sustainable living in Langeberg Municipality.