Statement by Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development

21 Augustus 2017

 Statement by Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Anton Bredell.

 WC Water Update – Dams levels at 31%

 The average water level for dams across the Western Cape following recent rainfall is 31%. Last year at the corresponding period the level was 58%.

 Anton Bredell, the minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning in the Western Cape has cautioned the public about the continuing impact of the ongoing drought and the need to continue to use less water.

“We urge the public to drive down their water usage. Across the entire province the water situation remains dire with very few exceptions only. We are continuously monitoring the situation and updating our contingency plans for the areas outside the City of Cape Town to address the ongoing situation.”

 Bredell has welcomed the City of Cape Town’s recently released Water Resilience Response Plan that seeks to provide an additional 500 million litres of water to the city per day.

“We would add our voice to the City’s in calling for the public to drive water consumption below the 500 Megalitre per day level. Across the rest of the province ongoing water savings measures continue. This includes the recently gazettes notice to all councils pertaining to water restrictions.”

 Theewaterskloof is currently at 25% (2016: 50%); Voëlvlei Dam is at 24% (2016: 57%) and Clanwilliam Dam 33% (2016: 97%).

 The latest dam level data per the National Department of Water and Sanitation:

ENDS.