Rustenburg - Kgetlengrivier municipality in North West implemented water supply restrictions with immediate effect in Swartruggens on Friday, the municipality said.
"This is due to lower levels at Swartruggens Dam which is the main water source for this area. Department of water and sanitation has issued a report which states that water level at the dam is at 6.4 percent.
"This has necessitated that the municipality stop pumping water from the dam as it is now not consumable and therefore not safe to drink," spokesperson Omphemetse Sannah Magakgala said in a statement.
Areas affected by water shortage are Swartruggens town, Rodeon and Borolelo township.
In 2015, the municipality was declared a state of disaster when Swartruggens town was faced with severe drought due to lack of rainfall.
"We, therefore, call upon our residents and other consumers to use water sparingly to enable the municipality (to) fulfil its obligation of continuous water supply to its communities."
Four water tankers were being used to provide water to residents and 20 water containers were installed at strategic points in Borolelo areas.