MUNICIPAL WATER SUPPLY UPDATE AND POTENTIAL LEVEL 2 RESTRICTIONS

The Municipality wishes to inform residents that the second pipeline from Gumgrove to the Water Treatment Works (WTW) has been completed. Both pipelines are now in use, and our teams are working to optimise the pump configuration. The current challenge however is the restriction of pump capacity at the canal pumpstation. Currently, we can only pump 90l/s. This is not sufficient for the volume required at the water treatment works. The upgrade of the canal pumpstation is currently being done to install 2 new pumps that will be able to pump 75l/s each. The upgrade of the pumpstation will be completed in January 2026. This will ensure a sufficient water supply to the Gumgrove dam for treatment purposes. 

The Challenge We Face
•    Insufficient water can be pumped from the canal to Gumgrove dam.
•    Raw water flow rate is reducing in both the Vrekhoek and De Hoop schemes. 
•    Koos Kok Dam, being relatively small, is showing concerning reductions in water level. 
•    Current demand is 11,000 kl/day, but our raw water supply is only 10,000 kl/day. 
•    With declining inflows, supply will soon reduce further to 9,000 kl/day, and later to 8,200 kl/day. 

The Breede River remains our main source of raw water. It is reliable and stable, and there is no crisis in supply. However, current consumption is higher than the inflow, which means we must all use water sparingly to ensure sustainability.

Irrigation Water Supply
Due to the low levels of storage dams as well as the seasonal rainfall forecast, irrigation water (leiwater) supply in Robertson and McGregor was suspended on Friday, 12 December 2025. Consumers will be notified when irrigation water is reinstated. 

What This Means for All of Us
The inflow of raw water is no longer sufficient to meet demand. Paying higher tariffs cannot create more water — only saving water can. 

Should there not be a drastic reduction in water usage for the remainder of December, and if dam levels do not increase, the Municipality will have no other choice but to implement Level 2 water restrictions with effect from 1 January 2026.

What Level 2 Water Restrictions mean
•    No watering of gardens 
•    No washing of cars 
•    No filling of swimming pools 
•    No use of hosepipes for outdoor cleaning 

Together We Can Make a Difference
Every litre saved helps stretch our limited supply and ensures that essential services and households continue to receive water. By working together, we can slow down the impact of reduced inflows and protect our community’s water security.