LEVEL 1 WATER RESTRICTIONS FOR MONTAGU

The very low levels of storage dams in Montagu necessitate the urgent implementation of water restrictions by Langeberg Municipality. Level 1 water restriction will be imposed in Montagu with immediate effect.

The winter months are critical for filling Montagu's dams to make provision for the summer period. The prolonged high stages of Eskom Loadshedding have a huge impact on the supply of water to Montagu because water must be pumped for treatment from Ashton. As a result, Montagu's current dam levels at Bo Dam are 1.72%, while Onder Dam is at 45%. For this reason, it was necessary to implement additional measures.

The most effective way to reduce water consumption in times of water shortages is to increase tariffs for excessive usage. Special water tariffs in respect of water restrictions will be implemented from your next meter reading and billing cycle which will take effect from 01 June 2023.

Stricter Level 2 water restrictions will be implemented from 1 July 2023 until further notice to ensure the targeted consumption is achieved.

Various other restrictive measures are also included in the Langeberg Municipal Drought Management Policy and will be enforced through strict law enforcement.

Three levels of water restrictions are included in the Drought Management Policy which corresponds with the restrictive allocations applied by the Greater Brandvlei Government Water Scheme (GBGWS) and the availability of water from our other sources.

We request all residents of Montagu to assist us to ensure sustainable water provision.

View the Drought Management Policy here https://www.langeberg.gov.za/index.php?option=com_docman&view=download&alias=4661-drought-management-policy-4&category_slug=policies-2022-2023&Itemid=631

LEVEL 1 WATER RESTRICTIONS CRITERIA  

The required percentage of water consumption  for level 1 water restrictions is 90%  of normal consumption for residential and business use.

The restrictive measures of Level 1 water restrictions are as follow:

If households use in excess of 30 000 litres of water per month, they will fall into a higher water tariff bracket (A fine in terms of Section 75 A of the Systems Act, being a 50% penalty on tariffs). This excludes indigent households.

Watering of gardens may only be undertaken for two hours per day between 18H00 – 20H00, two days per week.

At sport fields only watering of cricket pitches, golf course greens and bowling greens is permitted for two hours per day, twice per week, unless own source of water is used.

No hosing of roofs and driveways and no washing of vehicles with a garden hose will be permitted. This is not applicable to any bona fide and full-time commercial enterprises whose business it is to wash cars.

• All contraventions must be reported to the call centre and followed-up immediately by law enforcement.
• Maintenance teams will be made available to address leakages on erven in indigent households.

LEVEL 2 WATER RESTRICTIONS CRITERIA  

The required percentage of water savings for level 2 water restrictions is 50% of normal consumption for residential and business use and 75% of normal consumption for industrial users.

The restrictive measures of Level 2 water restrictions are as follow:

• A fine in terms of Section 75 A of the Systems Act, being a 100% penalty on tariffs for monthly consumption in excess of 15 kiloliter per month per household connection, including indigent households.
• No watering of gardens using municipal water
• No watering of sport fields, cricket pitches, golf course greens and/or bowling greens is permitted unless own source of water is used.
• No filling of swimming pools. No washing of vehicles with any hose will be permitted including commercial enterprises whose business it is to wash cars.
• Stricter policing and implementation of a complaint line and whistle blowers facility
• Consultation with bulk consumers in the industrial and business sectors as identified through the billing system.
• Installation of flow restrictors to non -compliant consumers to water restrictions.

If a consumer is to be found guilty of contravening or failing to comply with any provisions of this Water By-Law or compliance notices served by an authorised official, he or she may be liable on conviction to:

A fine as published in the annual tariffs list as R3276 in the 2022-2023 Financial Year / R3499 in the new 2023-2024 Financial Year or three years imprisonment; or both.

Water consumption of all users will be monitored monthly and stricter water restrictions will be imposed if the targeted consumption is not achieved.

 Report water misuse & leakages to 0860 88 11 11 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The 2022-2023 water tariffs for residential users are as indicated in the table below with the tariffs that will be applicable for the different levels of water restrictions: 

The 2023/2024 water tariffs for residential users are as indicated in the table below with the tariffs that will be applicable for the different levels of water restrictions: 

For special exemption from the current water restrictions, see the application form here: https://www.langeberg.gov.za/index.php?option=com_docman&view=download&alias=4660-water-restrictions-special-exemption-application-form&category_slug=application-forms&Itemid=625

D.P. LUBBE