Statement by Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Anton Bredell.
Water: Declaration signed by Provincial, Municipal Leadership
Premier Helen Zille, Provincial Ministers as well as Mayors from across the Western Cape, signed a Municipal Declaration with regards to long term water security for the province in Worcester today.
The declaration was the result of the outcomes of the WC Water Indaba that was held on 16 May 2017 with the intention of tackling the ongoing drought prevalent across the Western Cape.
Premier Zille said that the declaration will commit provincial and local government leaders towards greater water security in the medium to long term. “The main aim of this Declaration is to accelerate action towards responsible and sustainable water use in the Western Cape,” said Zille.
Anton Bredell, the minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning in the Western Cape says the declaration subscribes to seven key points that include:
- Enhancing Water Conservation efforts including adopting Water Sensitive Urban Design planning principles to permanently reduce the per capita demand on our water resources.
- Reducing water leakages
- Recognising the need to manage groundwater wisely
- Diversifying water supply
- Protecting the quality and integrity of water resources
- Legislative overhaul in areas where needed.
- Driving water innovation
Bredell says one of the biggest things currently happening is an indepth review of the Sustainable Water Management Plan (SWMP) for the Province. “This Plan provides the strategic framework for water management in the Western Cape Province. It will guide and inform us as to the decisions we need to make going forward.”
The full declaration will be made available on provincial government websites.