URGENT WATER SUPPLY UPDATE: BONNIEVALE, ASHTON & MONTAGU

Due to the extensive flooding, the Municipality is currently facing numerous challenges regarding the water supply in Bonnievale, Ashton, and Montagu. This situation is critical, and all residents and businesses are urgently requested to reduce their water consumption significantly in order to prevent taps from running dry before repair works have been completed.

The Municipality is working around the clock to restore all affected infrastructure as urgently as possible.

BONNIEVALE
Water is normally abstracted from both the canal (40 l/s) and the Breede River Pump Station (20–30 l/s), depending on demand. Currently, water can only be abstracted from the canal, and the available volume has been reduced to approximately 20 l/s due to damage to the canal inlet and sections of the canal infrastructure. The Water User Association is working to implement temporary repairs in order to increase the water supply to the treatment works. More information regarding progress will be provided as soon as clarity has been obtained in this regard.

The Bonnievale Breede River Pump Station was also damaged during the flooding event, and repairs will commence as soon as possible. At this stage, the timeframe for repairs cannot yet be confirmed.
There is currently insufficient water available to supply all residents. Water trucks are therefore being deployed to affected areas where supply interruptions are being experienced. We request all residents to reduce water consumption drastically with immediate effect.

ASHTON & MONTAGU
Ashton and Montagu receive the majority of their water supply from the Breede River Pump Station, as well as the CBR system. Both pump stations were flooded, and the associated electrical infrastructure sustained severe damage. As a result, water abstraction from these sources is currently not possible.

Limited raw water is currently available in storage. Calculations indicate that Ashton has approximately 12 days of water remaining at the current consumption rate and available storage capacity, while Montagu has approximately 50 days of water remaining under current conditions.

Residents are urgently requested to reduce water usage drastically in order to help maintain supply until repairs have been completed.