In line with the requirements of the National Water Act of 1998, Gamtoos Water was proclaimed as a water users’ association on 6 October 2023. It now strives to manage water-related activities at grassroots level for the benefit of all water users in the Gamtoos, Baviaanskloof and Kabeljous catchment areas.
These sub-catchment areas are home to agricultural users who are dependent on a well-managed water supply to grow the following crops and produce:
Gamtoos
Citrus, blueberries, strawberries, prepackaged vegetables, cash crops and dairy cattle.
Baviaanskloof
Fodder for small livestock; vegetable seeds and grain.
Kabeljous
Pasture (rye grass, alfalfa, kikuyu etc,), dairy cattle, beef cattle, sheep, game, citrus, avocados and vegetables.
Tourism is also an important revenue stream in all three areas.
Gamtoos water scheme
Gamtoos Water’s primary objective is to manage and distribute raw water from Kouga Dam to agricultural water users in the Gamtoos Valley and urban users in the Nelson Mandela Bay and Kouga municipalities.
The organisation operates and maintains the Gamtoos water scheme, which includes the dam and associated canal system, pipelines, balancing dams, office buildings, stores, workshops and houses.
Natural resource management
Water security is integral to our business; therefore, under our previous structure, we used our knowledge, passion and experience to implement government-funded projects, including multiple water conservation and demand management initiatives. These had the dual outcome of protecting and bettering our natural capital, and uplifting our communities across the Eastern Cape.
Gamtoos Water will always explore private partnerships in funding projects that have the restoration of ecosystems at heart by clearing alien invasive species and ensuring the integrity of land and biodiversity.
Social investment
As part of a close-knit rural community that encompasses Hankey, Patensie and Loerie, social investment is an on-going priority. Gamtoos Water provides assistance with maintenance and other forms of support to various schools, NGOs, emerging farmers and the local municipality.