MUNICIPALITY

Being situated in an arid area within the Sarah Baartman District, Dr Beyers Naudé LM faces many challenges, the biggest of which is water. Aberdeen and Nieu-Bethesda are in the fortunate position of having perennial springs that supply adequate and good quality water, which is used for both domestic consumption and irrigation. Graaff-Reinet gets its supply from the Nqweba Dam; when dry, the town is dependent on borehole water an unreliable source as the water table drops drastically when the rain stays away… Other towns, such as Willowmore and Steytlerville, experience critical shortages at times and water quality is a problem in other areas, such as Jansenville. The lack of a sustainable and permanent water supply is probably the most inhibiting factor in the area's economic development, as it restricts both agricultural and industrial activities.