GARDAG - GARDEN ROUTE DAM ACTION GROUP
GARDAG NPC: 2023/553797/08 PBO PENDING
GEORGE | GARDEN ROUTE | SOUTH AFRICA
GARDAG Mission, Aims & Objectives
20260625: GARDAG is committed to protecting and preserving our natural resources specifically in response to the Municipality's proposed development at Erf 464, Garden Route Dam Eco System, George - Western Cape - South AfricaCanvass local government to improve governance & protect our main water source, the Garden Route dam (Erf 464, George) from over-development.
Raise awareness regarding waste and the resale value of plastic waste.
Encourage businesses and the private sector to engage in initiatives focused on ecosystem restoration, responsible development and the importance of preserving our dwindling natural water resources.
Educate school children and local communities & raise awareness regarding water scarcity.
Implement and develop projects dedicated to the removal of invasive alien plants.
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GARDEN ROUTE DAM ACTION GROUP | Meet our Experts & Supporters
Environmental Activists, Scientists & Biologists
Environmental Scientist at Greenfire Enviro, Desiree du Preez is currently the Chairperson of GARDAG and has been a strong supporter of the organisation for the past decade.
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Desiree du Preez
ScientistGARDAG is a voluntary non-profit organisation founded by Ken Gie, focused on monitoring water quality of our natural resources within the George, a small town in the South western region of South Africa.
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Ken Gie
Founder GARDAGHydrogeologist at Veltwater, with a passion for all forms of water. Sonia is the current vice-chair of GARDAG & works daily with groundwater assessments & water resources risk analysis.
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Sonia Veltman
Hydrogeologistfeatured Blog
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From Streams to Reservoirs
The 213 Year journey of Water Supply in George
When Adrianus Gysbertus van Kervel was appointed to establish the town of George in 1811, he made securing a steady water supply his top priority. Along with land surveyor JH Koopman, van Kervel explored the Outeniqua mountains and discovered a perennial stream, laying the foundation for George's water supply.
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The History of George’s Water Supply George’s water supply has always originated in the mountain towering above the city. In 1811, Adrianus Gysbertus van Kervel, the founder of George, explored the Outeniqua mountains along with land surveyor JH Koopman in search of a water source.
A year later, a network of furrows was constructed to channel water from a perennial stream into Caledon Street and down York Street, creating a basic network for the town’s water supply. In 1850, the Van Kervel Dam, which still exists in the Garden Route Botanical Garden, was built to store water from the furrow. Although this water became polluted, it was the main water source for the town for 71 years.
The Waterhouse stone reservoir was completed in 1883, from which water was piped for the first time.
Just 14 years later, the George Dam, also known as the Swart River Dam, was built in 1939, coinciding with the onset of World War II. The George Dam was raised in 1955 but faced issues with leaks. It wasn’t until 1980, during a severe drought, that the Garden Route Dam was constructed at a cost of R2 million. Remarkably, shortly after its completion, heavy rains filled the dam to capacity.
The wall of the Garden Route Dam was raised by Zutari in 2020, increasing its capacity by 25%. The raising of the wall required innovative design of its spillway to allow for the increased capacity while improving the safety of the dam. The new duckbill spillway is curved, creating a spillway that is 80 m longer than the original one.
To address safety concerns, the George Active Recreation Development and Action Group (GARDAG) organized various community events to turn the area into a valuable recreation area. In 2005, the municipal pine trees were harvested, leading to a significant reduction in vagrants.
However, this also resulted in illegal dumping, including medical waste, prompting GARDAG to push for the dam to be declared a National Key Point. This never succeeded, but the Municipality did eventually improve security to reduce crime in the area. Environmental Rehabilitation
The dam’s island, initially overrun by invasive black wattle, became a focus for environmental rehabilitation. During a drought, GARDAG collaborated with local schools to remove the invasive species and plant indigenous trees, although challenges with water access hindered early efforts.
Controversially, the municipality also attempted to recycle sewage water, which sparked public outcry due to health concerns. Despite opposition, the recycling plant was established but later mothballed due to high operational costs. Pollution and Legal Actions Pollution from the Kat River, a major feeder for the dam, has been a long-standing issue.
Reports highlighted toxic runoff from the Denneoord Purification Works. Thanks to advocacy from local environmental groups, the municipality was compelled to address these pollution issues by constructing new settling dams.
Despite public opposition, development plans were approved, leading GARDAG to seek legal recourse to challenge these decisions. As of mid-2024, the George community awaited the outcome regarding the environmental authorizations granted for these developments.
A year later, a network of furrows was constructed to channel water from a perennial stream into Caledon Street and down York Street, creating a basic network for the town’s water supply. In 1850, the Van Kervel Dam, which still exists in the Garden Route Botanical Garden, was built to store water from the furrow. Although this water became polluted, it was the main water source for the town for 71 years.
The Waterhouse stone reservoir was completed in 1883, from which water was piped for the first time.
Development and Expansion
As the population of George grew alongside a burgeoning timber industry, the first arch-type concrete Westkloof Dam was completed in 1925. This dam still exists and can be visited by hikers.Just 14 years later, the George Dam, also known as the Swart River Dam, was built in 1939, coinciding with the onset of World War II. The George Dam was raised in 1955 but faced issues with leaks. It wasn’t until 1980, during a severe drought, that the Garden Route Dam was constructed at a cost of R2 million. Remarkably, shortly after its completion, heavy rains filled the dam to capacity.
The wall of the Garden Route Dam was raised by Zutari in 2020, increasing its capacity by 25%. The raising of the wall required innovative design of its spillway to allow for the increased capacity while improving the safety of the dam. The new duckbill spillway is curved, creating a spillway that is 80 m longer than the original one.
Challenges and Rehabilitation
Crime and Environmental Degradation
The area around the Garden Route Dam became plagued by crime, with squatters using the adjacent municipal pine forest for shelter. Following incidents of violence, the dam became a no-go zone for years.To address safety concerns, the George Active Recreation Development and Action Group (GARDAG) organized various community events to turn the area into a valuable recreation area. In 2005, the municipal pine trees were harvested, leading to a significant reduction in vagrants.
However, this also resulted in illegal dumping, including medical waste, prompting GARDAG to push for the dam to be declared a National Key Point. This never succeeded, but the Municipality did eventually improve security to reduce crime in the area. Environmental Rehabilitation
The dam’s island, initially overrun by invasive black wattle, became a focus for environmental rehabilitation. During a drought, GARDAG collaborated with local schools to remove the invasive species and plant indigenous trees, although challenges with water access hindered early efforts.
Water Supply Crisis and Pollution
Droughts and Diversification
George has faced significant droughts over the past two centuries, with the most severe occurring in 2009. In response, the municipality sought to diversify water sources, pumping water from nearby rivers and drilling boreholes on mountain slopes.Controversially, the municipality also attempted to recycle sewage water, which sparked public outcry due to health concerns. Despite opposition, the recycling plant was established but later mothballed due to high operational costs. Pollution and Legal Actions Pollution from the Kat River, a major feeder for the dam, has been a long-standing issue.
Reports highlighted toxic runoff from the Denneoord Purification Works. Thanks to advocacy from local environmental groups, the municipality was compelled to address these pollution issues by constructing new settling dams.
Recent Developments
After delays due to environmental concerns, the raising of the dam’s spillway and wall was completed in January 2020, increasing its capacity by 25%. This project received accolades for its engineering excellence. However, proposals for commercial development around the dam raised alarms about potential pollution risks.Despite public opposition, development plans were approved, leading GARDAG to seek legal recourse to challenge these decisions. As of mid-2024, the George community awaited the outcome regarding the environmental authorizations granted for these developments.
GARDAG WINS!
There were cheers and applause as Desiree du Preez, GARDAG Chairperson, Delivered a Surprise Announcement at their annual Golf Day fundraising event hosted by the George Golf club. Victory for GARDAG in the ongoing Court Battle to Protect the Garden Route Dam from proposed development by the George municipality and the Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs, in a landmark ruling by the Cape Town High Court.Looking Ahead
As George continues to grow, the pressure on its water supply intensifies. The municipality must prioritize sustainable water management strategies and consider the long-term impacts of climate change on the region’s water resources. There is a pressing need for innovative solutions to ensure a pollution-free water supply and to preserve green spaces for future generations, reflecting a commitment to both environmental stewardship and community well-being.
GARDAG INAUGURAL FUNDRAISING GOLF DAY AT THE GEORGE GOLF CLUB
Happy GARDAG Supporters joined us to tee off at our first annual fundraising golf day! The day dawned bright and clear, the sun rising to a cloudless sky, ensuring a great start to a day of fun and friendly competition on the greens as we raised much needed funds and awareness for the GARDAG, the Garden Route Dam Action Group.
GARDAG Water Monitoring Results 2024
In OUR backyard - George
In the past, GARDAG undertook a series of water samples to refine our understanding of impacts from urban pollution and potentially Stage 6 loadshedding on the Garden Route area.The tests were undertaken over a period, at points that were highlighted as impacted. Ideally these tests should be undertaken on the same day of every month, but time and financial limitations dictated the monitoring frequency. During 2024, monitoring was increased and some of the active monitoring points are measured more regularly. This post discusses the results from the previous monitoring events, up to November 2024.