MEC visits Theewaterskloof Dam with elderly residents and old age home NGOs

Today, the Western Cape Social Development MEC, Albert Fritz, led a group of 60 elderly residents and managers of residential facilities (Old Age Homes) to the drought depleted Theewaterskloof Dam.

Theewaterskloof is currently at 10.8%, compared to 27.5% at the same time last year. 

The average level for dams across the Western Cape for the week starting

26 February is 21.3% (2017: 31.6%).

The purpose of the visit was to raise awareness about the seriousness and extent of the ongoing drought.

We all need to continue saving water by using less than 50 litres per person per day, so as to keep pushing Day Zero out. We must not be complacent, given that we require as much water in storage as possible going into the summer of 2018/19.

The elderly residents on the visit were a mix of pensioners from various social and sports clubs for the elderly across the Cape Town Metro, and those who reside within our funded and registered residential facilities, which are run by NGOs.

To protect the vulnerable, the Department is working with all 2000 NGOs it funds, especially those which operate residential facilities, to develop water resilience and alternatives.

Our joint efforts are bearing fruit, with reductions in water usage being achieved. For example, the Beaconvale Frail Care Centre in Mitchells Plain has managed to half its water bill since the beginning of the year.

The Department of Social Development continues to work closely with local governments, including the City of Cape Town.