Statement by Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development | Western Cape Government

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Statement by Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development

26 September 2017

26 September 2017

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

 WC Water Update – Drought Crisis continues

 The average water level for dams across the Western Cape is 35.8%.

In the corresponding period last year, dam levels were at 62%.

 Anton Bredell, the minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning in the Western Cape has called on all water users in the province to urgently do more to reduce water usage.

 “The average dam levels hardly increased in the past week and stands at 35% of which only an estimated 25% is useable. This drought is not letting up and as a provincial government we are very concerned about the current status of our water supply heading into the summer.”

 Bredell says the province is finalizing the optimal water restriction levels for each town in the province following a recent notice to this effect in the government gazette.

“The provincial disaster management centre continues to monitor the situation and has a number of contingencies in place should matters escalate further. In addition the provincial water augmentation plans continue apace. The three spheres of government along with other stakeholders need to work closely together moving forward to ensure no community runs out of water.”

 Theewaterskloof is currently at 28% (2016: 53%); Voëlvlei Dam is at 27% (2016: 68%) and Clanwilliam Dam 41% (2016: 99%). Brandvlei Dam is 33% (2016: 56%).

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

 

ENDS.