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.

- NICOLA DANIELS

The municipality yesterday 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.