WC Water Update, masterplan welcomed | Western Cape Government

News

WC Water Update, masterplan welcomed

3 December 2019

Dam levels dropping slowly

 The latest average dam level for the Western Cape is 63.4% (2018: 59.6%). City of Cape Town dams are on average 81.1% full. The situation for the Western Cape is largely positive barring certain regions where challenges remain. Consumers are urged to continue to use water responsibly.

 Anton Bredell, the minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning in the Western Cape, says that water challenges will remain in future as the resource remains under pressure.

“Ours is not a unique situation. Globally less than 3% of all of the available water is fresh, and much of it is inaccessible. Recent academic reports have found that since 1960, the amount of available fresh water per person on the planet has declined by more than half, with over 40% of the world’s population facing water stress. By 2030 the expected demand for fresh water will exceed supply by an estimated 40%.”

Bredell says his department has acknowledged the recent launch of the National Water and Sanitation Master Plan by minister Lindiwe Sisulu and while the department welcomes the plan in principle, the key will be in funding and implementing it.

“We are still studying the full plan before we can make specific comments on the impact thereof for the Western Cape.”

 

Major Dam statistics

Voëlvlei dam – 86.7% full this week (2018: 89.5%. Last week: 88.2%)

Bergriver Dam 97.3% full this week (2018: 95%. Last week: 98.6%).

Theewaterskloof dam – 72.5% full this week (2018: 54.4%. Last week: 74%)

Clanwilliam Dam 80.8%. (2018: 84.5%. Last week: 84.7%) 

 

ENDS.

Media Enquiries: 

 

James-Brent Styan

Spokesperson for the Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Anton Bredell
Mobile:                   084 583 1670
Telephone:            021 483 2820
E-mail:                    James-Brent.Styan@westerncape.gov.za