10 October 2023
By: Fredalette Uys
Severe water restrictions for irrigation farmers in the Gamtoos River Valley have been lifted by the Department of Water and Sanitation after dam levels recovered.
“The recent rainfall has brought significant relief after a long period of drought in the Algoa Bay region,” said a statement by Wisane Mavasa, a spokesperson for the department.
“Dam levels have recovered significantly, to the extent that the Kouga Dam overflowed for the first time since 2015.
“The catchment area is strategically important for the western parts of the Nelson Mandela Bay metro, the Kouga local municipality and the agricultural sector in the Gamtoos Valley.”
According to the department, the hydrological recovery of the Algoa water supply system means restrictions in the area can be lifted.
“The relaxation of restrictions will contribute to economic recovery in the household, agricultural and industrial sectors in the area.”
Water restrictions for the Kouga/Loerie and Groendal subsystem will be lifted until the next decision date in November, the statement said. Restrictions in the Kromme subsystem, consisting of the Churchill and Impofu dams and the upstream catchment area, will also be reconsidered in November.
Water users are still encouraged to use water sparingly, however. According to the department’s water resource management planning, there are indications of a strong El Niño system developing. Since its full impact is not yet known, the drought period cannot yet be declared over.
Significant recovery
Dam levels in the Algoa water supply system stood at a meagre 13,3% in May. The Kouga Dam was at 14,57%, the Churchill Dam at 24,4%, the Groendal Dam at 17,03% and the Impofu Dam at 14,47%.
Dam levels have recovered to 70% this week, with the Kouga, Churchill, and Groendal dams overflowing and the Impofu Dam standing at 24,37%. This is expected to rise in the next few days as the dam receives overflow from the Churchill Dam.
The level of the Kouga Dam increased by nearly 40 percentage points in the last week of September after standing at 61,17% on September 25. Agricultural water use from the Kouga system was restricted to 35% at the beginning of the water year, while water supply from the Kouga Dam to the Nelson Mandela Bay metro was limited to 85%.
Agricultural water use has been restricted since 2017, severely impacting agricultural activities in the Gamtoos Valley. The restrictions forced farmers to shift cash crops to other areas and plant younger citrus trees with lower water requirements.
Dairy farmers at Mondplaas moved or fed dairy cattle at a high cost, precision irrigation technology was deployed in citrus orchards, and alternative sources such as boreholes and the river with high salt content were used.
Farmers recently told Landbouweekblad that they look forward to returning to normal farming activities and getting their normal water quotas back. Additionally, the water from the Kouga Dam is of good quality, saving farmers pumping costs.
