PLETTENBERG BAY BEWS - Bitou Municipality has applied much stricter water restrictions from Monday 17 November.
This means that Stage 3 tariffs - that are 200% higher than normal - will be applied for consumption above 15 kilolitres in households.
The Plettenberg Bay Ratepayers Association has asked for an urgent meeting with the municipality.
The Ratepayers said Bitou leadership needs to acknowledge that there has been insufficient investment in critical infrastructure and inadequate replacement and maintenance.
"In addition, migration and rampant property development has placed further pressure on our fragile infrastructure and increased demands on our limited supply of water," said Ratepayers chairperson Tony Blignaut.
He said there are short-term actions that can start to alleviate the crisis and requested an urgent meeting with Bitou's leadership to discuss the details of what has to be done.
Drought management
The tougher restrictions came into effect in line with the municipality's Drought Management Policy, which is aimed at managing and preventing the increased risk of water shortages.
"This intervention is triggered mainly by the Roodefontein Dam dropping below the 50% level due to below-average rainfall in the region," reads a public notice from the municipality.
"The latest seasonal climate forecast issued by the SA Weather Services for the period November to January 2026 indicates that during the late spring season going into summer, most areas of the country, including the Bitou area, are expected to receive below-normal rainfall."
The Stage 3 restrictions mean it is prohibited to use potable water from the Bitou water supply system for the following:
• The watering of gardens
• The filling or topping up of swimming pools, ponds, and paddling pools
• The use of automatic swimming pool water fillers
• The use of automatic irrigation sprinklers and drip systems
• The use of automatic urinal flushing systems
• The hosing down of structures, roofs, and driveways
• The washing of motor vehicles, boats, and any other type of motorised or non-motorised vehicles.
Limits
All domestic households are to limit water usage up to a maximum of 15 kilolitres per month.
Domestic households with excessive water usage may have a flow meter restrictor installed to limit usage to 15 kilolitres per month.
Further details: https://www.bitou.gov.za/node/2523
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