R51 MILLION ALLOCATED FOR DROUGHT-RELIEF

MORE than R51 million has been allocated to help Kouga Municipality secure extra water for the drought-stricken region.

Welcoming the total allocation of R51 156 000 million, Kouga Executive Mayor, Horatio Hendricks, said various short-term projects will be implemented to address the water shortfall across the region should no more water will be available from the Churchill Dam.

“A total of eight additional boreholes will be connected to the existing water treatment works at a combined cost of more than R7.4 million – five in Jeffreys Bay and three in Hankey,” said Hendricks.

“The investigation, drilling and connection of additional groundwater sources in Loerie, Thornhill, and St Francis Bay will amount to almost R8.5 million. Some R6.5 million will be spend on the sourcing of additional water in Humansdorp.

“Where necessary, water will be treated for high levels of iron and manganese at a total cost of R23 million.”

Additional projects include bulk electrical connection to boreholes and an emergency deviation reversing main to KwaNomzamo in Humansdorp.

Water tankers will, furthermore, be hired to supply water to residents in Hankey, Loerie, and Thornhill.

According to Hendricks, the Kouga region is using approximately 18.7Ml of water per day – of which 6.2Ml are supplied from the municipality’s own water resources.

Jeffreys Bay residents are using 8.3Ml of water per day, while Humansdorp and St Francis Bay residents are using 8.1Ml per day and 2.3Ml per day respectively.

“In a bid to push back Day Zero – set for mid-June this year – we urge all residents to use no more than 25l of water per person per day,” said Hendricks.

“Every one of us has a role to play in preventing Kouga’s taps from running dry – we must do all we can to save water.

“Thank you to all residents who are saving water, we really appreciate it.”