WC Water Update | Western Cape Government

News

News

WC Water Update

26 March 2019

25 March 2019

The average water level for all dams in the Western Cape currently stands at 38.6% (2018: 18.2%). Dams supplying the City of Cape Town stand at an average of 50.6% (2018: 21.8%).  

Anton Bredell, the minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning in the Western Cape says the overall situation remains better than it was a year ago but concern remains for the Karoo region of the province that continues to struggle with the ongoing drought.

The minister has once again called on the National Department of Water and Sanitation to deliver on its mandate in providing bulk water infrastructure to the Western Cape.

“We have noted that many of the Regional Bulk Water Infrastructure Grant allocations made to our municipalities by the National department and published in the Division of Revenue act has been stopped because there is no money in the Department. One example of this relates to a desalination plant in the Cederberg municipality. A plant that has been built there cannot operate because a vital part of the project was never done.  The national Department had gazetted to transfer R22 million to co-fund the project. Two weeks ago the Municipality was informed that the funding will not flow in the current financial year. In the meantime the Municipality has already appointed the contractor and the work must go on. The provincial department of Local Government has had to step in and assist with co-funding the project for the Municipality. This is money my department does not have but has had to find at the cost of other projects.”

Bredell has pointed out that the province has been informed unofficially that the Clanwilliam dam wall project has in all likelihood also been delayed for at least another year. 

“The national department is fiddling while Rome burns. We have been made promises over and over and yet the deeds do not follow. We must urge the Department to take its responsibility seriously. I will be writing to the national minister to address these issues.”

Major Dam statistics

Theewaterskloof dam – 39.5% full this week (2018: 10.3%. Last week: 40.3%)

Voëlvlei dam – 62% full this week (2018: 14.4%. Last week: 63%)

Bergriver Dam 71.8% full this week (2018: 44.9%. Last week: 72.6%).

Clanwilliam Dam 25.4%. (2018: 6.1%. Last week: 27.9%) 

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