Lion Roars Plett

05/03/2026

Karoo Nest / Calitzdorp

26/02/2026

04/02/2026

Bitou Municipality Water Update – 30 January 2026

🌊 Thank you, Plettenberg Bay!
Our collective water consumption dropped to 10,0 Ml/day on 29 January, continuing the excellent progress made over the past week. This achievement shows that residents are sustaining disciplined water-saving habits, and we are deeply grateful for your cooperation.

- Keurbooms River flow: 200 L/s @ 07:30
- Roodefontein Dam level: 30,24%

⚠️ Critical note: The Keurbooms River flow is now edging closer to the 150 L/s legal abstraction limit. If the river drops further, our ability to draw water will be severely constrained. This makes every litre saved by residents even more vital to avoid shortages.

👏 Your efforts are proving that unity and discipline can overcome this crisis. Let’s keep building on this momentum and aim to stay consistently below 10 Ml/day.

🚱 Reminder: Level 4 Water Restrictions remain in effect
- Limit consumption to 50 litres per person per day
- No watering of gardens, lawns, or sports fields with municipal water
- No filling of swimming pools with municipal water
- No washing of vehicles
- No hosepipes – only buckets allowed for essential cleaning
- No irrigation systems or sprinklers may be used
- Businesses and institutions must reduce usage and adopt water‑saving measures
- Report leaks and illegal connections immediately

💧 Daily reminder: Every litre saved helps secure our water future. Please continue to limit consumption and adhere to restrictions.

Together, we are proving that discipline and cooperation can protect our community’s water supply. Thank you for being part of the solution.

🚨 Waterwaarskuwing – Plettenbergbaai 🚨
👏 Verbruik het gedaal na 10,0 Ml/dag – dankie, Plett! 💧 Julle hou vol en dit maak ’n groot verskil.

⚠️ Maar die Keurboomsrivier vloei is nou 200 L/s, gevaarlik naby aan die 150 L/s wetlike abstraksielimiet. As dit verder daal, sal ons vermoë om water te onttrek ernstig beperk word.

🚱 Vlak 4 Beperkings geld steeds:
- Maksimum 50 liter per persoon per dag
- Geen tuin natmaak, swembaddens vul of tuinslange gebruik nie
- Slegs emmers vir noodsaaklike skoonmaak
- Motorwasserye moet herwonne water gebruik
- Rapporteer lekke en onwettige aansluitings onmiddellik

💪 10,0 Ml/dag wys wat ons saam kan bereik. Hou dit onder 10 Ml/dag en beskerm ons water toekoms! 🌊💧

🚨 Isilumkiso Samanzi – Plettenberg Bay 🚨
👏 Ukusetyenziswa kwehlile ukuya kwi 10,0 Ml/ngosuku – enkosi, Plett! 💧 Uzinzo lwenu lwenza umahluko omkhulu.

⚠️ Kodwa umlambo iKeurbooms usehlele kwi 200 L/s, usondele kakhulu kwi 150 L/s umda osemthethweni wokutsala amanzi. Ukuba wehla ngakumbi, amandla ethu okutsala amanzi aya kuncipha kakhulu.

🚱 Izithintelo zeNqanaba 4 zisasebenza:
- 50 litre ngomntu ngosuku kuphela
- Akukho kunisela amagadi, ukugcwalisa iipuli okanye ukusetyenziswa kwee-hosepipe
- Sebenzisa iibhakethi kuphela xa kusetyenziswa amanzi ngokucoca okufunekayo
- Iindawo zokuhlamba iimoto kufuneka zisebenzise amanzi aphinda asetyenziswe
- Xela ukuvuza kunye noqhagamshelo olungekho mthethweni kwangoko

💪 10,0 Ml/ngosuku ibonisa into esinokuyenza xa sisebenzisana. Masihlale ngaphantsi kwe 10 Ml/ngosuku ukuze sikhusele ikamva lamanzi ethu! 🌊💧



Jessica Kamkam Claude Terblanche Noksie Kolwapi Teenky Winky Seti Mao Kibi Samkele Aluncedo-Lamla Mangxaba Councillor Dave Swart, Ward 2, Bitou Mavis Busakwe Raadslid Annelise Olivier Raadslid Renicia Willemse debruin

23/01/2026

19/01/2026

MEDIA STATEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 19 January 2026
Issued by: Bitou Municipality – Corporate Communications

Bitou Community Achieves Water Savings Milestone

Bitou Municipality commends the residents of Plettenberg Bay for their continued commitment to water conservation. On 18 January 2026, daily water consumption dropped to 9,6 million litres, marking a significant achievement below the 10 million litre threshold.

This progress follows a steady decline in usage over the past four days:
- 15 January: 12,3 Ml/day
- 16 January: 13,5 Ml/day
- 17 January: 10,4 Ml/day
- 18 January: 9,6 Ml/day

The Keurbooms River flow remains stable at 1,382 litres per second, while the Roodefontein Dam level stands at 32,17%, indicating ongoing pressure on local water reserves.

Bitou Municipality reminds all residents that Level 4 Water Restrictions remain in full effect. Und9er these restrictions, households are urged to reduce their monthly water consumption to 10 kilolitres or less. This target is essential to ensure equitable access and long-term sustainability of our water supply.

Today, the Bitou Executive, Councillors, Administrative Leadership, and staff embarked on a motorcade through various wards to engage directly with communities on water-saving awareness. This initiative forms part of an ongoing campaign that will include visits to schools, clinics, and other public gathering areas to reinforce the importance of saving water and to mobilize collective action.

We urge all residents, businesses, and visitors to maintain this momentum and strive toward the next daily target of 7–9 million litres. Every litre saved helps secure our shared future and protect critical infrastructure.

Issued by:
Manager: Corporate Communications and Customer Relations


Jessica Kamkam Councillor Dave Swart, Ward 2, Bitou Mavis Busakwe Claude Terblanche Mao Kibi Noksie Kolwapi Teenky Winky Seti Raadslid Annelise Olivier Raadslid Renicia Willemse Samkele Aluncedo-Lamla Mangxaba Katrina De Bruin

17/01/2026

🌊 Water Update Summary as at 16 January 2026

The Roodefontein Dam level has risen from 30.93% to 32.39%, showing a positive improvement in our water reserves. The Keurbooms River flow peaked at 7,618 L/s at 00:36, and by 03:30, it measured 5,874 L/s.

This increase means that Day Zero has been technically reset, offering a much-needed but temporary reprieve. It’s a moment of pure grace, yet we must remain vigilant and continue our water-saving efforts.

For now, maximum pumping from the Keurbooms River will continue for as long as conditions allow. The Desalination Plant, Roodefontein, and boreholes will be rested to preserve them as essential backup sources.

⚠️ Important Reminder: Level 4 Restrictions remain in force until further notice.
- Daily consumption must be reduced from 13 ML/day to 7 ML/day.
- Monthly household consumption is limited to 10 kl.
- Households exceeding the 10 kl/month limit will face stern action, including charges on higher tariffs.

Despite the recent rainfall, Day Zero remains a high possibility if we do not sustain these efforts.
For all Water Misuse contact 0800 212 797

Issued 17 Jan 2026 by Bitou Corporate Communications

15/01/2026

🌧️ Bitou Water & Weather Update – 15 January 2026
Plett water usage

1 Jan = 18,4 Ml/day
2 Jan = 14,1 Ml/ day
3 Jan = 12,0 Ml/ day
4 Jan = 17,9 Ml/day
5 Jan = 13,3 Ml/day
6 Jan = 12,5 Ml/ day
7 Jan = 13,0 Ml/day
8 Jan = 14,3 Ml/ day
9 Jan = 13,4 Ml/ day
10 Jan = 13,9 Ml/day
11 Jan = 13,2 Ml/day
12 Jan = 14,95Ml/day🥵
13 Jan = 13,3Ml/ day
14 Jan = 12,8Ml/day

Reservoir Levels 15/01/2026
Archiewood 73,1%
Brakkloof 71,2%
Goosevalley 54,3%
Kranshoek 68,5%
Kwano 97,%
Matjies/Keurbooms 89%
New Horizon 47,2%
Kurland 95%
Natures Vally 96%
Wittedrift/Greenvalley 91%
Pls note levels fluctuates hourly due to useage.

Dams

Keurbooms flow 308 L/s @ 14:36
Roodefontein 32,06 % @ 13:00

Analysis

Light rain today is welcome, but it is not enough to end the drought. Daily usage in Plettenberg Bay is still above the 9 Ml/day target, averaging 12–14 Ml/day

Call to Action:
- Stick to Level 4 restrictions.
- Keep household use below 10 kl/month.
- Report leaks or misuse immediately.
- Celebrate every drop saved — it keeps Bitou strong.

⚠️ Urgent reality: At current usage, Bitou has only 40 days left before Day Zero. Reducing consumption is the only way to push that date back.

🌧️ Bitou Water & Weer – 15 Januarie 2026
Liggies reën bring verligting, maar dit beëindig nie die droogte nie. Verbruik is steeds bo die teiken van 9 Ml/dag, gemiddeld 12–14 Ml/dag.

Doen jou deel:
- Hou by Vlak 4 beperkings.
- Gebruik minder as 10 kl/maand per huishouding.
- Rapporteer lekkasies of misbruik.
- Elke druppel wat gespaar word, bou Bitou se krag.

⚠️ Dringende werklikheid: Met huidige verbruik het Bitou slegs 40 dae oor voor Dag Zero. Verminder verbruik om daardie dag uit te stel.

🌧️ Uhlaziyo lwamanzi neMozulu – 15 Januwari 2026
Imvula encinci iyasivuyisa, kodwa ayiphelisi imbalela. Ukusetyenziswa kuse ngaphezulu kwe-9 Ml/ngosuku, phakathi kwe-12–14 Ml/ngosuku.

Isenzo esibalulekileyo:
- Landela yonke imiqathango ehambelana neqondo lwe- 4 wezithintelo zamanzI.
- Sebenzisa ngaphantsi kwe 10 kl/ngenyanga ekhaya.
- Xela ukuvuza okanye ukusetyenziswa gwenxa.
- Iqabaza ngalinye elongwayo lisisa kwimpumelelo.

⚠️ Inyaniso engxamisekileyo: Ngokusebenzisa okungaphezulu, iBitou inee 40 yentsuku kuphela ngaphambi lokufika komhla owaziwa ngo Day
Zero.

11/01/2026

🚨💧 Water Update – as at 10 Jan 2026 (04h00)
- Roodefontein Dam: 37.78% – levels remain critically low
- Keurbooms River flow: 160 l/s (up from 104 l/s)
- Daily consumption: 13.4 ML/day (down from 14.3 ML/day)

⚠️ Level 3 water restrictions remain in full force.
👉 All residents must reduce monthly consumption from 15 kl to 10 kl.
👉 Households using more than 15 kl must drastically cut back or face stringent measures.
👉 Our collective target is to drop daily consumption to 9 ML/day.

📞 Report incidents of water misuse immediately to 0800 212 797.

🙏 Bitou, dam levels are still critically low. We need everyone’s cooperation. Saving water today secures our tomorrow. Every drop counts!



Jessica Kamkam Noksie Kolwapi Mavis Busakwe Raadslid Annelise Olivier Raadslid Renicia Willemse Mao Kibi Samkele Aluncedo-Lamla Mangxaba Claude Terblanche Councillor Dave Swart, Ward 2, Bitou Teenky Winky Seti Plett se mense KwaNokuthula Crime Prevention Plettenberg Bay Tourism Garden Route District Municipality Plett Shark Spotters Bitou News Keep Plett Clean Bitou Fire Association Knysna-Plett Herald

08/01/2026

*WATER ALERT: ABSTRACTION FROM KEURBOOMS RIVER HALTED*

This morning’s readings show:
Keurbooms River flow: 90 litres/second Roodefontein Dam level: 37.78%

Due to critically low levels, abstraction from the Keurbooms River has been stopped. This marks a turning point in our water crisis.

More stringent water restrictions will be announced shortly.
We urge all residents, businesses, and schools to begin reducing water usage immediately.

If we do not change our behaviour and use water sparingly and wisely, our taps might run dry.
We must adopt water-saving approaches and implement them daily.

Bitou Municipality calls on all households to take immediate action:

*Reduce monthly water consumption from 15 kilolitres to 10 kilolitres per household.*

This reduction is critical to prevent our taps from running dry. If we do not change our behaviour and use water sparingly and wisely, the situation will worsen.

Adopt water‑saving approaches and implement them daily:
- Limit showers to 2 minutes
- Reuse greywater for toilets and gardens
- Fix leaks immediately
- Avoid hosepipe car washes
- Report leaks and illegal connections to the Tollfree line 0800 212 797

07/01/2026

WELCOME TO PLETTENBERG BAY: HIGH TIDE: 06H14 & 18H22, LOW TIDE: 12H22, SWELL: 1.2-1.8m, WIND: 10-40km WSW, SUNSET: 19H42, SEA TEMP: 19°c, RIPS LIKELY TO DEVELOP. STAY AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS AND STAY SAFE: 23°c/15°c 🌧️🌦️⛅ BEACHES WITH LIFEGUARD CREWS: WRECK BEACH (WEATHER DEPENDING) 10am-6pm, SOLAR BEACH 7am-7pm, ROBBERG 5 (BLUE FLAG) 7am-7pm, ROBBERG 2 (WEATHER DEPENDING) 10am -6pm, ROBBERG 1 (NEXT TO BI HOTEL) 7am-7pm, CENTRAL BEACH 7am-7pm, HOBIE/WEDGE BEACH 7am-7pm, LOOKOUT BEACH (BLUE FLAG) 7am-7pm, THE DUNES (BLUE FLAG) 10am-6pm, THE WAVES (BLUE FLAG) 10am -6pm, SINGING KETTLE (BLUE FLAG) 10am-6pm, NATURES VALLEY (BLUE FLAG) 10am-6pm

07/01/2026

MOSSEL BAY NEWS: The N2 has reopened to normal traffic this morning, 7 January at around 05:15 after being closed for several hours due to a large fire and ongoing firefighting operations

MOSSEL BAY NEWS: The N2 has reopened to...