Exploring smart City opportunities for City of George
George Municipality recently partnered with the Africa Business Network of the Finland Chamber of Commerce, the German-South African Chamber of Commerce, the German-Finnish Chamber of Commerce and the Western Cape Economic Development Partnership to host a webinar on 15 March to explore aspects of smart energy, smart building, smart infrastructure and smart mobility.A smart city uses information and communication technology (ICT) to ensure operational efficiency, share information with the public and provide a better quality of government service and citizen welfare. The main goal of a smart city is to optimise city functions and promote economic growth while also improving the quality of life for citizens by using smart technologies and data analysis. The value lies in how this technology is used rather than simply how much technology is available.Executive Mayor Alderman Leon Van Wyk formally opened the Webinar hosted on 15 March and the event attended by 80 persons, was moderated by Mr Jens Hauser HOD Competence Centre Sustainable Energy, German -South African Chambers of Commerce and Mr Paul Hoffman, Project Manager, Garden Route Development Partnership.In his opening comments, the Executive Mayor provided a scene-set of George as an intermediary and magnet city in South Africa utilising its natural attractions and relaxed lifestyle in the Garden Route to position itself as a growing business centre. He sketched the key economic sectors and George’s 40% share of the Garden Route’s economy. Some examples of how George already embraces elements of smart city concepts: it aims to secure 20-30% of its electricity from renewable sources within 3-5 years, the city is already fibre optic cable connected, utilises CCTV cameras for safety and security monitoring for public transport bus service, and a mobile app for service delivery complaints and communication. A significant national insurer operates a large online contact centre, thousands of milk-producing cows have SIM cards monitoring their health, the fire services utilise drone technology and increasing use is being made of smart meters and telemetry in the electricity and water networks. It is hoped that these examples will help in facilitating interest and investment from the Germany and Finland.Ms Lauren Waring, Director Planning and Development noted that the webinar intended to explore the aspects of smart energy, smart building, smart infrastructure, and smart mobility; and to establish meaningful international learning networks which will be key for the economic development of George and which are aligned to the strategic goals of the George Municipality.International, national as well as local speakers covered topics which included: An overview on Smart Cities – the cities of the 21st century; Mobility as a Service – The End of Car Ownership? (MaaS Global); Technologies for a smarter built environment (Siemens); Creating value out of municipal solid waste (Anaergia Africa) as well as case studies on Kone and the City of George.The George Municipal Spatial Development Framework, 2019 (MSDF)is the spatial representation of the Integrated Development Plan and coordinates and directs growth in the short, medium and long term. (https://www.george.gov.za/george-documents/spatial-development-framework/municipal/ and fully embraces the Smart City concept.Smart City Growth is one of the strategies supporting the spatial planning approach in George and various policies and development guidelines are set to facilitate a compact, legible urban form, including a mix of land uses, a range of housing- and transportation opportunities and walkable neighbourhoods, whilst preserving open space, farmland, natural beauty- and critical environmental areas. The MSDF policies and guidelines are further intent on strengthening and directing development towards existing communities and fostering distinctive, attractive communities with a strong sense of place. Processes relating to land development are designed to involve the community in decision-making and to support integrated and considered development.The process to review the current George MSDF (2019) commenced in 2021 and the use of smart technologies is crucial in collating inputs received from various involved government departments and agencies and interested and affected parties. Data layers, such as the environmental zones (per example the Coastal Management Line, Critical Biodiversity areas, climate change indicators and many others), Transportation Routes and Planning, Human Settlement development, commercial and industrial development, social- and community facility planning, engineering services planning are coordinated via a Geographic Information system(GIS) to aid spatial planning and to advise land use planning decisions. The George Municipal GIS Public viewer contains some of the information and can be accessed on the Municipal Website. https://gis.george.gov.za/portal/home/Dr Kosie Haarhoff, Deputy Director Economic Development noted that the direct beneficiaries of the webinar were public service officials, local government officials and private sector individuals responsible for digital transformation and SMART cities. Four private sector companies presented SMART city solutions to participants:MaaS Global:
MaaS Global is the world’s first mobility-as-a-service (MaaS) company with a vision and mission to offer a more attractive alternative to a privately owned car. Its Whim mobility app allows for the consumer to plan, book, and pay for their trips in one mobile app.
KONE
KONE is a global leader in the elevator and escalator industry, and their focus is to make the world’s cities better and more sustainable places to live.Anaergia
Anaergia is a global leader in the production of clean energy, fertilizer, and recycled water from virtually any waste stream, offering the widest range of maximizing resource recovery solutions for the municipal, industrial, commercial, and agricultural markets. Anaergia’s integrated solutions create value for its customers in the forms of renewable energy, quality fertilizers, and clean water, while dramatically reducing the cost of waste management.Siemens
Siemens is a technology company focused on industry, infrastructure, transport, and healthcare. From more resource-efficient factories, resilient supply chains, and smarter buildings and grids, to cleaner and more comfortable transportation as well as advanced healthcare, they create technology with purpose adding real value for customers.Chantèl Edwards
Manager Communications & IGR
Email cedwards@george.gov.za
Landline 044 801 9160
Cellphone 082 3502420
City of George, proud hosts of hundreds of swimmers from the province
One of the highlights in the sports and tourism this past long weekend, of which the City of George is proud, was the successful hosting of the SA Regional Level 3 Swimming Gala at the Conville Swimming Pool from 17 – 20 March 2022, with 350 participants from all over the Western Cape. The City of George embraces the honour to be the host of several great sporting events, of which the Swimming Gala has recently joined in. The executive mayor of George, Ald Leon van Wyk, officially opened the Swimming Gala, welcoming hundreds of participants, and visitors to George. Mayor van Wyk was accompanied by the members of the executive mayoral committee and the acting municipal manager, Dr Michelle Gratz to the Swimming Gala.“At present, George is fortunate in attracting many visitors who are participating in numerous sporting and other events, such as this major provincial swimming gala,” said Ald van Wyk. “We are looking forward to hosting many more events of this calibre, and we are committed to ensuring that our sports facilities are of a high standard.” “We would like to congratulate our staff for having risen to the occasion when George had to jump in to be the host of the swimming gala’s, especially considering that the Municipality had a very short time to prepare for the events,” mayor Wyk added.“Over the next few weeks, we will be welcoming thousands of school learners who will be participating in different events that have attracted entries from across the country who will be utilising our various facilities,” he said.“Following the successful Cape Town Cycle event, a comment was made that we should be hosting a similar event here in George. This comment echoes our philosophy to regularly hold events in George that will generate tourism spending for our local economy and add to employment levels.”In his conclusion, mayor van Wyk encouraged sports federations to make George a place of choice for events, every weekend to attract visitors to help build tourism occupancy rates. “George is already hosting many cycling and running events. Nothing stops us from turning some of these events into iconic annual events of national significance through some tweaking. Many of our citizens are passionately involved in diverse activities or hobbies that could be developed into regular events or learning experiences, such as crafts, artists, bridge, winter schools.”Ntobeko Mangqwengqwe (CPRP)
Office of the Municipal Manager
Senior Communication & IGR Officer
Office: 044 801 9512
Cell: 063 869 7373
Email: nmangqwengqwe@george.gov.za
Die Oom, Stoomroller en die Toon.
Storie deur Chris De KokerNou gaan ek ver terug in ons kinderjare, en die memories kom en gaan so. Soms vaagweg, want ek was nog aan die kleinkant daardie tyd.
Dis daar op die klein Karoo dorp Leeu Gamka. Ons het so reg agter die spoorweg stasie, net oorkant die straat gebly. Stasiestraat nommer 2. Of iets in daardie lyn. Ek onthou ons telefoon nommer was 14. So dit IS n groot dorp daardie. So neffens ons, ook oorkant die straat, was die poskantoor waar jare daarna Suster haar werks loopban begin het. Nommer asseblief? Sien jy! Maar, terug na die hede. Daardie tyd toe ons nog almal klein en op skool was.Nou so agter ons huis, was ook die tennis bane. Ja, Leeu Gamka moes op n tyd n tennis klub gehad het. Want in my tyd daar was die bane soos meeste munisipale of goewerment fasiliteite deesdae is. Geen aksie meer daar op die bane. Net verwaarloosde hoog draad om die bal in te hou. n Paal hier en n paal daar om die afwesige net in plek te hou. Ek kan nie onthou of dit n grond- of teerbaan was nie. Maar die was ook maar verwaarloos. Daar was 2 bane so langs mekaar. Die een naaste aan ons het ook die destydse baan-instandhoudings roller gehad. So om die baan plat en kompak te hou. So ek vermoed dan was dit n grond baan. Nietemin, na skool en middagete gaan speel ons kinders soms daar so op die gewese sport fasiliteit. Seker maar gebou en onderhou deur die spoorwee op n stadium.Nou die swaar roller was enorm. Dit was basies net die uiter ring gedeelte van n groot padroller. Wat beteken jy kan binne in die gedoente klim en self so n bietjie rol as ons genoeg kinders binne is om die nodige gewig te verskaf. Ons geliefde waaghalsige Oom het soos gewoonlik verveeld geraak met die inwendige pogings wat daar aangewend word om die gedoente aan die rol te kry. Nee wat, hy gaan sommer bo-op die roller en dan so saam met die ding rol tot by die grond, en dan afspring. n Gevaarlike speletjie inderdaad. Soos die Oom toe ook waaragtig agtergekom het. So met sy descent grond toe, werk van sy calculations nie lekker uit nie, en daar rol daai roller bo-oor die Oom se groottoon. Moerse storie inderdaad. Dis onmiddelik dokter toe en hy het vir maande met daardie toon gesukkel. En so om alles te kroon, trap sy klas juffrou ook nog op juis daardie toon wat nog in doeke en pleisters toegedraai is.
Om terug te kom daar na die “tennis klub”, daar was wel so n soort van klubhuis. Nie veel groter as jou groterige badkamer deesdae nie. So met sitplek vir drie, en n deur na die soort van kantoor of wat ookal. So kom ons een middag en kry n hawelose drifter juis in daardie kantoortjie. Hy is nog doof en kannie praat ook nie. My ou moedertjie was n goeie mens en het gehelp waar sy kon. Die arme man het koffie, kos en nog brood ook gekry vir incase hy so op sy pad weer honger raak. Hy moes baie arm wees want alhoewel die hotel van oom Niel daar was, het die doofstom man hom daar in die “kantoortjie” tuisgemaak vir n wyle. Ek is seker my ma kon dalk nog n paar sente ook vir hom gee. Die arme man het net n sak of twee by hom. Dit is ook al wat daar in sy tydelike heenkome saam met hom is.
Later die middag loop ek weer so in daardie rigting. Die investigative kant van my wil meer uitvind van die rakker. Meneer is tuis en flussies oppad. Seker na die kooperasie toe om iets te koop. “Kyk tog dat niemand in my sakke krap of vat nie” Se die doofstom man toe net daar vir my. n Wonderwerk! Dink ek so by my naief self. Iets is nie pluis nie en ek het toe maar die “wonderwerk” aan my ou moedertjie gaan rapporteer. Wat toe met die rakker gebeur het, weet ek nie. Ek dink nie hy het nog n dag daar spandeer nie.Wys jou. Sit in die huis heeldag, en die lewe gaan jou verby. Dit is daar buite wat herrineringe plaasvind en lewens gevorm word. Al is dit met n seer, gekweste groot toon. Wees trots Oom. Ons lewens is vol.
Jordan Peterson’s Ultimate Advice for Students and College Grads – STOP WASTING TIME
Stop Wasting Time! This is Jordan Peterson’s Ultimate Advice for Students, College Grads, and Everyone Alive! ►Listen to all our videos on the New Mindset App: https://bit.ly/M2SMindsetApp ——————————————————————————————————— ►Subscribe for a New Motivational Video every Sunday: http://bit.ly/StudyMotivation ►Get Jordan Peterson’s best selling book: 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos: https://amzn.to/2u5boAv ——————————————————————————————————— Jordan Peterson is North America’s most popular psychologist. He is a professor at the University of Toronto and focuses on abnormal, social and personality psychology. https://www.youtube.com/user/JordanPe… https://twitter.com/jordanbpeterson https://www.patreon.com/jordanbpeterson
Die Oom In Sy Nes
Die Oom ry met Jan Tuisbly se karretjie.. deur Chris De Koker
Met die kwaai reen, vakansie en warm weer wat ons deesdae ervaar, was ek nou regtig eers verlede jaar weer op die oom se spoor. Ek ry toe vandag weer die berg uit na die padstal. Ek het so n voeltjie hoor fluit dat dit nie goed met die Oom gaan nie. Hy is maar selde op sy pos daar by die Stal.So met die inkom sien ek die Bantampie staan weer so daar agter en gatwys. So asof hy sku is vir die mens wat die stal besoek. Ek hoor so met die instap stemme en dink toe vandag het ek die jackpot geslaan. Maar helaas, dis Frikkie se jongste dogter wat met die Anti gesels. Sy help nou uit so met die Oom se afwesigheid jy weet. Nee wat. Jy mis hom alweer. Se die Anti. Hy le maar deesdae meeste van die tyd daar in die skuur. So saam met sy honde. Man, sewe Duitse Herdershonde se ek jou! en n kat..of twee soos ek verstaan.
Maar nou wie is nou by die Oom? Vra ek en die Anti se ook vinnig dat daar niemand by hom is nie. Maar, hys is soos n mallemeule. Dan op, en ander dag af. Maar gesond is ons Oompie nie.Frikkie kom soos gewoonlik toe ook daar aan vir sy daaglikse koffie, en om so darem op te check of die dames darem in orde is. Weereens skud hy ook net sy kop toe ons so van die Oom se welstand praat. Die oorweldigende hitte daar op die plaas kan nie goed vir die Oom, en/of sy diere wees nie. Met sy nuwe medikasie gaan dit glo nog moeiliker wees. Die Anti se sy het hoeveel keer vir hom gese om maar by sy huis op die dorp kom bly. So vir gerief darem. En naby aan alles wat nodig is. Maar nee! Hardekop ken ek hom al van toeka se dae. Jy kan hom niks vertel nie. Laat my dink aan die dag, so net na sy moeilike dae begin het. Ek en hy vat toe so n roadtrip daar na knysna se kant toe. Na so n koffie daar by Timberlakes, loop ons terug na ons voertuig. En daar staan so n nie mooi swart motorfiets-gedoente. Vat daar n foto van my saam met die ding. Se-vra hy vir my. Ek wil dit vir my kinders wys. En ek wil sommer vir my ook eendag een koop. Se die Oom so grappig. Foto toe geneem en nooit kon dink dat hy waaragtig vir hom so n blink BMW gaan koop so n paar jaar daarna. Ek dink die staan nou in die skuur op die plaas. Dit was ook darem na hy die kleiner fiets gekoop het waarmee ek en hy so ge-bokspring het daar op Glentana. Ewenwel, die Oom se gesondheid is maar nie goed nie.
Sterk staan Oompie. Die padstal is stil as jy nie daar is nie. Dis so asof die kliente weet jys op awol daar op die plaas. Hulle mis die Oom met sy voorskoot. Maar, totdat jy beter voel, ry maar so met Jan Tuisbly se karretjie. Die rus is goed vir jou.Storie deur Chris De Koker
George Lanbouskou 2022
Goeie nuus is dat die George Landbouskou weer van jaar aangebied gaan word vanaf Donderdag 25 Augustus tot Saterdag 27 Augustus 2022. Sondag 28 Augustus gaan daar ‘n “Praise and Worship”geleentheid wees om die skou mee af te sluit.Indien jy ‘n stalletjie by die skou wil bespreek moet jy gou speel want dit is besig om vinnig volbespreek te word.Laai hier die STALLETJIE BESPREKINGSVORM af, vul dit in en stuur dit terug n 2022@georgelandbouskou.co.za.
Water Restrictions implemented to protect drinking water for George
Water Restrictions implemented to protect drinking water for George
Issued George Municipality, 25 January 2022, for immediate releaseWater Restrictions are necessary to protect our water resources
The George Municipal Section 80 Civil Engineering Services Committee today, 25 January 2022 approved the implementation of Water Restrictions similar to those found in paragraph 2B of the George Municipal Drought Management Policy.Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee, Cllr Browen Johnson noted that an emergency as contemplated in Section 2(4)(b) of the Water Services By-law to limit or restrict the use of water currently exists in George as the water treatment works cannot meet the current potable water demand and cannot ensure adequate reservoir storage volumes to meet the emergency storage volumes required.Due to the flood disaster event that occurred on 22 November 2021, the National Head of the Disaster Management Centre declared a national disaster of this event on 19 January 2022. Severe damage to our infrastructure on 22 November and again 06 December 2021 has meant that our main storage reservoirs could never recover their storage capacity adequately to act as a backup for the high season demand. This coupled with the warm weather, general growth and the recent reopening of businesses and industries means that the average daily demand is hovering at 38-39 Megalitres (Ml) per day, with peak days reaching even 40Ml/day. The production capacity of the Old and New Water Treatment Works is a combined volume of 38Ml per day.Water restrictions will therefore be implemented in the George Water Distribution and Reticulation network, excluding Uniondale and Haarlem, with immediate effect until further notice.The right of access to basic water supply and sanitation is a basic right for all communities and it is the responsibility of the George Municipality as the Water Services Institution to take reasonable measures to ensure these rights.The immediate measures to be adhered to are as follows:
1. The mechanical or automatic irrigation/watering devices or sprinkler systems for gardens is prohibited.2. Gardens may be watered with a handheld hose from 01 September to 30 May during the following period only, i.e. between 19:00 to 21:00
Gardens may be watered with a handheld hose from 01 June to 31 August during the following period only, i.e. between 17:00 to 19:00:Mondays and Thursdays for even-numbered households ONLY
Tuesdays and Fridays for uneven numbered households ONLY.3. The irrigation or watering of all sports fields is prohibited. Exemption from restrictions in the following instances only: golf course greens, bowling greens, and cricket pitches which may only be watered between 19:00 and 21:00.4. The washing of vehicles with a garden hose is prohibited, except by a commercial enterprise whose business it is to wash cars.5. The cleaning of ANY area by mechanical means or hosepipe using water is prohibited; The use of a bucket is however permitted.6. The filling of swimming pools is prohibited.7. Where own water from a borehole or reservoir is used, the appropriate notice shall be displayed on the premises, e.g. “OWN WATER”.Contraventions of the Water Restrictions can be reported on 0800 424477 and will be followed up by George Municipal Law Enforcement.Any person who contravenes these restrictions is guilty of an offence and is, upon conviction, liable to a fine as published in the annual tariffs list, or six months imprisonment.In terms of Section 5 of the By-law, any person may apply in writing for the exemption from the provision of any notice published in terms of the By-law, and the Council may grant an exemption and impose conditions in respect of such an application. The Policy grants permission to the Directorate Civil Engineering Services to approve applications for exemptions.Application forms for an exemption can be obtained from the office of the Directorate: Civil Engineering Services, Old Town Hall, on the corner of Market and York Streets. Alternatively, applicants can contact Ms G van Niekerk on 044 – 801 9354 / gvanniekerk@george.gov.za to request that a copy of the application form be emailed to them. The Directorate Civil Engineering Services will consider all applications. A written exemption shall be provided where approved.Report all water leaks to our Civil Engineering Department on 044 801 9262/66
NORMAL REFUSE SCHEDULE IN PLACE AGAIN
Issued George Municipality, 19 January 2022Residents and visitors should please take note that refuse collection has reverted to the normal schedule as of this week and households may put out ONLY SEVEN BLACK, FOUR GREEN and an UNLIMITED number of BLUE bags on their weekly collection day.Should any household put out more bags than allowed, they will only be collected the following week. Households are encouraged to please use the black bags that are distributed quarterly for the purpose it is meant for. Households that separate their waste and make use of the green and blue bags, usually use fewer black bags.For any queries regarding waste removal or black bags please contact the Cleansing Department at 044 802 2900.
Blue and green bag inquiries: LGE Waste, 044 878 0688/lgewaste@gmail.comWHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT REFUSE COLLECTION IN GEORGEHouseholds may put out SEVEN BLACK, FOUR GREEN and an UNLIMITED number of BLUE bags on their weekly collection day.Additional tied bundles of branches are allowed if they are shorter than a meter in length and can be picked up by one person.BLUE bags are for non-soiled recyclable materials, including plastic, paper, cardboard, glass, etc.GREEN bags are for green waste, including organic kitchen waste such as fruit and vegetable peels, as well as garden waste, including grass cuttings, leaves, etc. No soil is allowed in green bags.BLACK bags are for ‘wet’ waste, things that cannot be recycled.All refuse bags must be put out by 7 am on removal day.Please don’t put bags out the day or night before removal.Please wrap broken glass in newspaper before placing it in bags to prevent injuries to workers.A pack of 26 black bags are distributed to households quarterly.Black bags are removed by George Municipality trucks and green and blue bags are removed by service provider LGE Waste trucks, on the same day.Participating households will receive a maximum of two blue and two green replacement bags.Households or businesses that are actively recycling and require additional blue bags, can collect from the municipality Environmental Services department or LGE Waste at the addresses listed below.Households that regularly generate more than four green bags per week are advised to make use of a private garden or waste removal service.REFUSE REMOVAL DAYSMONDAY: Blanco, Riverlea, Heatherpark, Heatherlands, Glen Barrie, Kraaibosch, Groenkloof, Blue Mountain Village, Herold’s Bay, Victoria Bay, Rondevlei area (George side)TUESDAY: Levallia, Rosemoor, Conville, Protea Park, Parkdene, Ballotsview, Borchards, Lawaaikamp, Thembalethu, Wilderness, Constantia Kloof, KleinkrantzWEDNESDAY: Camphersdrift, Fernridge, Denneoord, Bo-Dorp, Blommekloof, Tweerivieren, Hoogekraal, Hoekwil, Touwsranten farm areasTHURSDAY: Wilderness Heights, Dormehlsdrift, George South, Le Grand, Bos en Dal, Groeneweidepark, Sinksabrug, Herold, Geelhoutboom, Eselsjacht, Hansmoeskraal, Jonkershoek, Rooirivierrif, Pacaltsdorp, Rosedale, Waboomskraal, Touwsranten villageFRIDAY: Glenwood, Loerie Park, Eden George, Genevafontein, Denver Park, Bergsig, Eastern ExtensionBUSINESSES: Monday, Wednesday and FridayCONTACTGeorge Municipality Environmental Services82 Meade Street, George. Phone 044 802 2900Black bag-related inquiries: 044 802 2900Blue and green bag inquiries: LGE Waste, 044 878 0688/lgewaste@gmail.com10 Extension Road, Pacaltsdorp Industrial Area
URGENT APPEAL TO SAVE DRINKING WATER
MEDIA STATEMENT: URGENT APPEAL TO SAVE DRINKING WATER – Municipality embarks on a Water Saving Programme
Issued George Municipality, 20 January 2022George Municipality has over the past year, following extensive pipe bursts throughout the year, as well as the infrastructure damage caused by 22 November and 06 December 2021 floods, reported to the public that the use of drinking water per day in George is currently higher than the amount of water that is being purified by our water treatment works. During last year the Annual Average Daily Demand for drinking water was 32 Ml per day and the current water treatment works output per day is 38Ml This is produced daily by the Old Water Treatment Works and the New Water Treatment Works which are both operating optimally.WHY ARE WE RUNNING SHORT OF DRINKING WATER
There are several other factors involved, which include George being a city that offers an attractive lifestyle to families wishing to leave other provinces. We have just come through a very successful festive season with a welcome influx of visitors and our accommodation establishments remain well booked at present. The weather has improved considerably and the warmer weather means that our average daily demand is hovering at 38-39 Megalitres (Ml) per day, with peak days reaching even 40Ml/day.Due to the disaster damage to infrastructure, the main storage reservoirs could never recover their storage capacity adequately to act as a backup for the high season demand, and the severely reduced storage available is continually being depleted further to make up the deficit between the peak season demand and the production capacity of the Old and New WTW that can produce a combined volume of 38Ml per day. This means that the municipality is meeting the daily requirement but has reached critically low storage volume in the main reservoirs that supplement the daily shortfall.Replenishing the storage capacity in the reservoirs is of paramount importance as this acts as emergency storage in the event of major pipe bursts, unplanned outages at the WTW, or any other major event that impacts the potable water system. Currently, the volumes in the main storage reservoirs cannot provide this security of supply.FORWARD PLANNING
Forward planning is in place and the remedial and capacity (20Ml) extension projects funded by the BFI grant will extend the water treatment capacity for George and will be implemented in two phases over three years. The tender for the 20Ml Water Treatment Works has closed and construction of this plant should start within the next few months. The full construction period will however stretch over several years.The overall funding required to ensure potable water security in the George system is R1.197 billion and the funding will be provided over the next forty (40) months for the full phases of the Potable Water Security and Remedial Works projects. The first allocation of R81.345 million has been approved and was included in the 2021/22 Adjustments Budget tabled in November 2021. There are currently 8 sub-components in various stages of procurement and implementation.George Municipality has applied for R238m disaster funding for remedial work required to infrastructure damaged during the floods of November/December 2021. This includes remedial work to various pipelines that were damaged and remain vulnerable. To carry out these repairs certain bulk pipelines will need to be “shut off”, but this can only be carried out if there is the security of emergency supplies and the volume in the main reservoirs is stable.BUT THE GARDEN ROUTE DAM IS FULL?
Residents should note that although the GARDEN ROUTE DAM LEVEL remains at 100%, this is RAW WATER storage and not POTABLE or DRINKING WATER supply. The raw water needs to be treated at the George Old and New Water Treatment Facilities before it goes to the main potable water storage reservoirs for distribution into the reticulation system. The current water demand is higher than the production rate at these facilities.WHAT IS THE MUNICIPALITY DOING TO SAVE WATER RIGHT NOW?
To ensure our residents have continuous access to drinking water the municipality is embarking on a Water Saving Programme. We are asking all residents, businesses (including construction companies), schools, sports facilities to please carefully review their use of drinking water and to make a conscious decision to cut back on wastage, and the unnecessary use of drinking water.The municipality is aware that such a program will require extensive awareness as well as a review of our municipal usage.
With immediate effect, the following is being put in place at all municipal sites:
- All municipal sports fields and facilities will immediately stop watering fields/gardens.
- Hippo Water Savers for toilet cisterns to reduce the volume of water used per flush will be installed, and push taps will replace manual free-flow taps for all bathroom facilities. The process to procure and install these is underway with implementation as soon as possible. The Hippo Water Saver saves up to 3 litres of water every time a toilet is flushed and is ideal for older toilets. Made from durable, heavy-gauge polyethylene, the Hippo bag opens in a box shape underneath the large cistern float. When the toilet is flushed, the water confined within the Hippo is the volume saved. Push taps are more water-saving because they have a controlled water stream that limits water use. Push taps are a cost-effective solution to reduce water consumption and also improve and maintain hygiene.
- Our water leak teams have been supplemented with additional staff and are working on resolving Indigent water leakages as quickly as is possible. Walkthrough inspections are being conducted in certain areas of George that are known for not reporting water leaks and infrastructure is being checked for any unreported leakages.
- Screening of illegal car washes will be undertaken and legal car washes will be asked to continue using water sparingly. Many of these already recycle water as a standard practice.
- High water users will be contacted by our Finance department to raise awareness of excess consumption and ensure that no leaks are causing the excess usage.
- Burst pipes and other water-related matters are being dealt with to minimize water loss.
- The municipality has asked all of their building and construction service providers, as well as those working privately, to either make use of RAW WATER for construction purposes which can be obtained at the water treatment plant at the Denneoord new water treatment plant OR where applicable to use TREATED EFFLUENT WATER which can be obtained at the Gwaiing wastewater treatment plant. This is common practice during periods of drought or potable water supply constraints.
- Please do not water your garden with a hosepipe. Use rainwater tanks where available. Only water when it is cool- to reduce evaporation and wastage.
- Don’t wash your car using a hosepipe. Use a water bucket instead
- Don’t fill your swimming pool or hose down your driveway with drinking water.
- Sports facilities and schools are asked to please not irrigate fields unless using stored rainwater.
- Please only use drinking water for necessities – close taps properly, fix leaks at home – this will save you money each month!
- MOST IMPORTANTLY PLEASE Report water leaks and burst pipes to 044 801 9262/66 or after hours at 044 801 6300, OR via our formal channels of gmun@george.gov.za or George Municipal APP. Each fault must be correctly logged and receive a reference number to save time in assigning repair teams.
Newspaper Coming Soon
Coming Soon! A good news newspaper for the community with news for the community, from the community. We are adding ‘n Newspaper to our existing news portal which was established 5 years ago. Currently, we have our online News portal at www.lovegeorge.co.za, we have a Mobile App with news, events and alerts and our Facebook page.
Here is your opportunity to inform your fellow Georgiete what is happening in your neighborhood. Brag about your favorite recipe, your school’s achievements, and many more.
Join us!