MUNICIPAL WATER SUPPLY UPDATE

Following a senior management meeting held to assess the current water crisis, the Municipality wishes to confirm that Level 1 water restrictions remain in place. Residents are urgently requested to continue using water sparingly, to report any leaks immediately, and to avoid wasting water.  

 

Progress has been made on the second pipeline from Gumgrove to the Water Treatment Works (WTW), but the upgrade of the canal pump station has not yet been completed. At present, we can only pump 90 l/s, which is insufficient for the volume required at the WTW. Engineering teams are installing two new pumps (75 l/s each), scheduled for completion during January 2026.  

 

Unfortunately, the combination of no rainfall in recent weeks and higher water consumption across the area has placed severe pressure on our raw water supply.  

 

 Timeline of Events and Current Challenges

 

- Early December 2025:  

  - Irrigation water (leiwater) supply in Robertson and McGregor was suspended due to low dam levels and poor rainfall forecasts.  

  - Sewer Pump Station 1 in Montagu experienced failure; sewage had to be transported to the treatment works using tankers until repairs were arranged.  

 

- Mid December 2025:  

  - At Bonnievale Reservoir, the pump line to the new reservoir broke, requiring excavation and repair.  

  - At Avalon and Montagu Springs, the pump was temporarily reinstalled but required a new impeller to operate reliably.  

 

- Late December 2025:  

  - In Robertson, both digger loaders experienced hydraulic pipe failures, slowing progress.  

  - Upgrades at the canal pump station advanced: new cables were installed, the old 400mm pipe was excavated, and preparations made for fitting a new 600mm pipe from the canal to the pump station.  

  - Planning was finalised to enlarge sluices so that additional hectares could be supplied and pumped to Gumgrove once the new pump is operational.  

  - At Voortrekker, installation of a new pump commenced to stabilise supply.  

 

 

- Raw water flow rates are 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 raw water supply is only 10,000 kl/day.  

- With declining inflows, supply is projected to 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, but current consumption is higher than inflow, leading to unsustainable drawdowns.  

 

 

 

The inflow of raw water is no longer sufficient to meet demand. Paying higher tariffs cannot create more water — only saving water can.  

 

For now, Level 1 restrictions remain in place. The Municipality will communicate during January 2026 on progress and whether there will be a need to move to Level 2 restrictions.  

 

 

Every litre saved helps stretch our limited supply and ensures that essential services and households continue to receive water. The Municipality calls on the community to pray for rain and to assist by using water sparingly, reporting leaks, and avoiding waste. By working together, we can protect our community’s water security.