The Gamtoos Irrigation Board has urged residents and farmers to be increasingly vigilant when it comes to water usage, as the Nelson Mandela Bay region's largest supply dam levels are dropping rapidly, with the warmer weather setting in.
The Kouga Dam, which is managed by the Gamtoos Irrigation Board, is currently at 63.1% of capacity - a level which is likely to drop rapidly as warmer conditions set in over the festive season.
The Board's financial and human resources director, Rienette Colesky, said since its establishment in 1991, the organisation had been responsible for supplying water to 250 farms with a combined surface area of 7 400 hectares.
It also serves the Kouga Municipality, including Patensie and Hankey, as well as Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality.
The latter is entitled to 28% of the dam's water and introduced water restrictions in September in an effort to attain the required 15% reduction in consumption gazetted by the Minister of Water and Sanitation
"Because the water usage from the dam has a direct impact on the economic activities in the Gamtoos Valley, it is vital to find the right balance between consumers' needs and sustainable food security, development and conservation," said Colesky.
Colesky added that 44 projects, in which the CIB was involved, were aimed at restoring the balance in nature, creating jobs and alleviating poverty, as well as stimulating the local economy.
According to a survey conducted by GIB, 10 000 emloyment opportunities are created in Gamtoos Valley when farmers relying on irrifation receive their full allocated water quota.
GIB Chief Executive, Pierre Joubert , has also warned that water restriction could result in job losses.
"With every 10% reduction in the water quota, a thousand job opportunities are lost," he said.
Joubert added that although his bopard did not have a say in the water quotas for consumers, recommendations had been made to the Minister of Water and Sanitation, who would make the final decision.
