01/09/2026
๐ง This Week in Water
A particularly strong Garden Route topic this week is Georgeโs contrasting water-security picture: the Garden Route Dam reached 99.69% capacity on 18 August, yet daily municipal demand was 36.9 million litresโ1.9 million litres above the 35 Ml/day target. No rainfall was recorded at the dam during the preceding week.
There is also an important forward-looking angle from Mossel Bay Municipality. Its recent El Niรฑo advisory says water resources were generally adequate during July and August, but the risk is expected to increase from September, with OctoberโDecember 2026 identified as the highest-risk period if El Niรฑo continues strengthening. Potential effects include reduced rainfall, extreme heat and pressure on water resources extending into early 2027.
For Blue Water Solutions, I would combine these developments under the theme โFull dams do not eliminate water-security risk.โ It creates a useful distinction between today's storage position and tomorrow's resilience: demand management, adequate storage, rainwater harvesting, alternative water sources, monitoring and correctly designed treatment systems remain important even when dams are healthy.
References:
- https://www.georgeherald.com/Municipal-Notices/Article/Dam-Level-Updates/garden-route-dam-edges-closer-to-full-capacity-as-water-demand-remains-high-202608181149?utm_source=chatgpt.com
- https://www.mosselbay.gov.za/news-display/523cb7e1-4480-4328-909e-29df8c6bd5c6?utm_source=chatgpt.com
