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

5 April 2018

The average level for dams across the Western Cape for the week starting 2 April is 17.6% (2017: 24.3 %).

Anton Bredell,  Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning in the Western Cape, says despite some good rainfall over the Easter weekend, the average dam levels keep falling, albeit more slowly. “For dam levels to recover to adequate levels, we need a few things to happen. First, we need a lot of rain. One or two days here and there won’t make much difference. That is sadly the reality.

The system has seen 3 years of below average rainfall and a few days of good rain won’t fix that. Secondly, it is important that the rain falls in our catchment areas. In the Western Cape our catchment areas are in our mountain ranges. So it needs to rain hard and a lot in the mountainous areas for our dams to see some recovery.”

Bredell also indicated that a very cold winter with lots of snow would be beneficial to the system looking ahead. “In Spring, melting snow on the high mountains, contribute to boosting rivers and dams in the province. We haven’t seen really cold winters with lots of good snow over the past few years.”

Bredell has repeated the call on consumers to continue to use water sparingly. “We must conserve the systems as far as we can, looking now also towards the coming summer months from December 2018. All residents and businesses who are able to harvest rainwater during the winter should please do so whenever it rains.” The latest dam level data per the National Department of Water and Sanitation:

Media Enquiries: 

James-Brent Styan
Spokesperson for Minister Anton Bredell
Tel: 021 483 2820
Cell: 084 583 1670 
Email: James-Brent.Styan@westerncape.gov.za