Water and Sanitation

Ensuring our residents have access to clean water is our priority. Fresh water is a scarce resource in the Western Cape that is heavily dependent on rainfall. We all have a part to play in conserving water as much as possible.

Prince Albert’s bulk water supply is provided from nine boreholes with varying production levels. This supply is augmented by a steady stream of irrigation water from the Kweekvallei Water Users Association. Leeu-Gamka and Klaarstroom have no irrigation allocations and is solely dependent on its boreholes

The water sources for the towns in the PAM’s Management Area are as follows:

  • Prince Albert: Dorps River and nine boreholes.

  • Leeu-Gamka: Three boreholes

  • Klaarstroom: Two boreholes

  • Prince Albert Road: Boreholes

Here are a few water saving tips:

In and around the house / business

  • Turn the tap off between washing your face, brushing your teeth or shaving.

  • Taking a five-minute shower a day, instead of a bath

  • Boil only as much water as you need, do not fill the kettle

  • Avoid flushing the toilet unnecessarily. Eg. when disposing of tissues, insects and other waste that can go in the bin.

  • Use "grey water" - used water from baths, washing machines and other safe sources - to flush your toilet.

  • Use a bucket rather than a hose to wash your car.

  • Do not pour paint and chemicals down the drain.

  • Farmers must ensure that they keep toxic insecticides away from water sources and streams.

  • Factories should take care of how they discharge mercury and other heavy metals into waste water.

  • People living in rural areas should be careful not to use the river or river bank as a toilet.

In the garden

  • Always water your plants during the early morning hours or in the evening

  • Every time you boil an egg, save the cooled water for your houseplants

  • Focus on indigenous and non-water-consumptive alien plants (but not invasive alien plants).

  • Water gardens less frequently, but water well.

  • Remove invasive alien plants on your property, they often sap water.

  • Roof water can also be profitably stored in tanks, for watering gardens.

  • Use "grey water" - used water from baths, washing machines and other safe sources - to water your garden.