The Overstrand Council has approved the request from the Building Control Department to assist property owners across the Overstrand, whose houses were destroyed or badly damaged during the devastating fires at the beginning of the year.

Residents, who have been affected by disasters and who are in the process of rebuilding their homes, will be charged a fixed amount of R500 (excluding VAT) for building plan fees.

Normally, the 2018/19 tariff of charges for Building Plan Applications for a house of 250m² is R10 000.

The municipality took this decision in an effort to assist residents who suffered great financial losses.

To save water we need to think not just about the water we use directly, for drinking and cleaning in our home, but also to become more aware of how water is used to make the food we eat, the products we use and to generate the power for our lights and stoves.

One of the top ways to prevent your household from using extra water, is to re-use grey water.

WHAT IS GREYWATER?

Greywater is defined as untreated household wastewater that has not come into contact with toilet waste. 

Greywater comes from baths, showers and bathroom hand basins.  Laundry water from washing machines can also be re-used if environmentally friendly detergents have been used. 

Drilling of two new boreholes at the Gateway well field in Hermanus is expected to start soon.

The appointed drilling contractor, Steyn’s Drilling, said drilling equipment are moving on site this week. Nearby properties, including the Gateway Shopping Centre management, have been informed of the planned drilling activities.

The drilling sites were selected by geohydrologists, based on the available hydrogeological information and the likelihood of it delivering a good sustainable yield. The water will be pumped to the Preekstoel Water Treatment Plant for treatment to potable standard, from where it will be distributed into the town’s water supply network.

“We will only be sure about the sustainable yield after the holes have been drilled and tested. The boreholes will be utilized on a permanent basis, and will be monitored continuously,” said Deputy Director of Engineering and Planning, Hanré Blignaut.

The Cape Whale Coast team is once again participating in Africa’s Travel Indaba 2019 in Durban.

The event aim is to promote South Africa's best tourism destinations and agencies worldwide. This trade fair offers tourism organisations and other establishments, the opportunity to market products, activities, accommodation and restaurants from their respective areas.

Cape Whale Coast, representing the Overstrand is exhibiting along with various other Western Cape organisations.

The Indaba finishes tomorrow (4 May).