At a Council Meeting held on Monday, 29 October 2018 the Saldanha Bay Municipality relaxed its water restrictions from level 6B to level 5 water restrictions, with immediate effect. This follows after the significant improvements in dam levels and additional augmentation projects. Water tariffs will remain at Level 3 water tariffs.
Saldanha Bay Municipal area is supplied with water from Withoogte Water Treatment Works at Moorreesburg which forms part of the Western Cape Water Supply System (WCWSS). The WCWSS is an integrated network compiled out of various resources which supplement each other.
All water users are required to use a maximum of 100 litres of water per person, per day.
Residential properties may not consume more than 15 000 litres (15 kl) per month.
Business and industry are required to reduce their consumption by 40%, as far as practicably possible.
Businesses wishing to apply for exemption from level 5 water restrictions must do so by completing the exemption application form which is available at www.sbm.gov.za.
The level 5 water restrictions for Saldanha Bay Municipality allows for the hosing down of houses/hard surfaces, for maintenance/painting works and the filling and topping up of swimming pools. The prohibition on the approval of applications for the construction of swimming pools was also lifted.
Watering/irrigation with municipal drinking water of gardens is allowed any day of the week for a maximum of 2 hours from 06:00 – 08:00 in the mornings or 19:00 – 21:00 in the evenings, provided that the consumer remains within the 15kl/month water limit per household. This includes watering/irrigation of flower beds, lawns, vegetables, agricultural crops, other plants, sports fields, golf courses, schools, educational facilities, nurseries, parks and other open spaces, customers involved in agricultural activities, etc. (Nurseries and customers involved in agricultural activities or with historical gardens may apply for exemption).
Restrictions applicable to all water consumers:
- Irrigation of sports fields, parks, etc. using non-drinking water and upon agreement of days and times with the Saldanha Bay Municipality’s Water and Sanitation department.
- Customers utilising borehole water, treated effluent water, spring water or well points are encouraged not to water/irrigate within seven days after rainfall that provided adequate saturation.
- All boreholes and well points must be registered with the Department of Water and Sanitation and Saldanha Bay Municipality and the signage must be clearly visible.
- Borehole/well point water must be used efficiently to avoid wastage and evaporation. Borehole/well point water users are strongly encouraged to water/irrigate only on Tuesdays and Saturdays before 9:00 or after 18:00 for a maximum of one hour.
- All properties where alternative, non-drinking water resources are used (including rainwater harvesting, grey water, treated effluent water and spring water) must display signage to this effect, clearly visible from a public thoroughfare.
Restrictions applicable to residential consumers:
- Washing of vehicles, trailers, caravans or boats with municipal drinking water is allowed subject to the 15kl/month limit being maintained. The use of non-drinking water and waterless products are advised.
- Customers are strongly encouraged to install water efficient parts, fittings and technologies to minimise water use at all taps, showerheads and other plumbing components.
- Consumers are encouraged to flush toilets (e.g. manually using a bucket) with grey water, rainwater or other non-drinking water.
- All water users are required to immediately use less water and must attempt to use a maximum of 100 litres per person per day.
Restrictions applicable to non-residential consumers:
- Washing of vehicles, trailers, caravans or boats with municipal drinking water is allowed subject to the 40% saving target being maintained. The use of non-drinking water and waterless products are advised.
- Customers must install water efficient parts, fittings and technologies to minimise water use at all taps, showerheads and other plumbing components in public places and adhere to Water By-law requirements.
- No new landscaping or sports fields may be established, except if irrigated only with non-drinking water.
- For users supplied with water in terms of special contracts (notarial deeds, water service intermediaries or water service providers), the contract conditions shall apply.
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