George municipality faces backlash over Level 3 emergency water tariffs

OPPOSITION parties in the George Municipality believe the Level 3 emergency water tariffs will fail to address the real drivers of water demand, citing high-consumption estates and large developments.

The municipality confirmed that the tariffs were implemented in line with a special council resolution taken on 4 December 2025, which approved tighter water demand management measures in response to ongoing water supply stress caused by below-average rainfall and a rapid decline in the Garden Route Dam. 

It went from 45.68% last week to 44.50% this week. The municipality said this decline necessitated the escalation of water restrictions from Level 2C to Level 2D, along with the immediate implementation of Level 3 Emergency Water Tariffs.

The tariffs will be reflected in the January 2026 municipal billing cycle. 

The new water restrictions see households limited to 10 kilolitres per month; with consumption above this threshold charged at Level 3 emergency tariff rates. Businesses and entertainment facilities must cut water use by 25%, industries by 15%, with carwashes banned from using hoses and vehicles limited to bucket washing, among others. 

“These tariffs are aimed at discouraging excessive consumption and safeguarding limited potable water resources for essential use,” the municipality said. 

"During the prescribed 14-day public participation period, the municipality received comments and objections from residents and businesses. All submissions were carefully considered, and written responses were issued. Executive Mayor Browen Johnson has noted the inputs received and approved the proposed responses and concessions where appropriate, without compromising the integrity and sustainability of the municipal water supply system. While the Municipality initially anticipated implementing Level 2 Emergency Water Tariffs following the public participation period, the further drop in dam levels to below 45% has made it necessary to implement Level 3 Emergency Water Tariffs instead." 

George municipal manager Godfrey Louw added that the measures were not "punitive but necessary".

"Every exemption granted reduces the water available tomorrow. In a water crisis, every drop truly counts,” he said. 

However, GOOD councillor Chantelle Kyd said the water restrictions implemented still avoided dealing with the real drivers of water demand. 

“GOOD supports protecting George’s water supply, but conservation cannot be enforced in a way that punishes residents while high-consumption estates and large developments remain largely untouched. You cannot ask families to survive on buckets while approving development patterns that strain the system. In December, GOOD submitted a clear counter proposal to Council: suspend all new high-consumption developments until the water situation stabilises, grant no exemptions, and apply progressive tariffs so that those who use the most water pay the most. The DA, ACDP and FF+ coalition voted this proposal down.

"It is deeply ironic that the same coalition is quick to criticise municipalities like Knysna for water mismanagement, yet now imposes emergency restrictions in George after rejecting preventative action. Water security requires leadership and accountability, not selective enforcement after the fact,” said Kyd. 

Patriotic Alliance’s Brendon Adams accused the DA of running the Garden Route dams into crisis through arrogance, neglect, and failed planning. 

“While communities face dangerously low water levels, the DA hides behind excuses instead of taking responsibility for years of poor infrastructure management and wasted warning time.” 

Meanwhile, the Knysna Municipality is contemplating  implementing  Level 5 water restrictions if no significant rainfall is forecast in the coming days.

Cape Times