8.2 The Source Water

Water supply and artificial recharge will take place within the water supply system combining the town of Plettenberg Bay and its township, Kwanokathula. At present, the town depends on surface water from the Keurbooms River for most of its domestic water supply needs. Water quality in the Keurbooms is generally very good. During periods of low demand, raw water bypasses the treatment plant and is piped to the Roodefontein Dam, where it can be retrieved when necessary. The salinity of Roodefontein Dam’s water, however, is high, and this makes blending with “pure” Keurbooms River water necessary prior to supply. In addition to the surface water resources, there is a groundwater source in the Kwanokathula area used solely in the township. The combined average yield of the Kwanokathula boreholes is not sufficient to meet the total demand of Kwanokathula, and the balance is drawn from the Keurbooms River via the water treatment works.