Clanwilliam Dam wall comments welcomed | Western Cape Government

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Clanwilliam Dam wall comments welcomed

8 April 2019

8 April 2019

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

The National Government’s recent re-commitment to upgrading the Clanwilliam Dam wall is welcomed. This project has been long delayed and was even cancelled by Minister Gugile Nkwinti’s predecessor, a step which severely impacted on the economy in that area.

“Last week Minister Nkwinti named the project on the West Coast as one of five major projects his department will focus on. We are very happy to hear this and look forward to assisting the national department where we can to ensure the completion of this project as swiftly as possible,” said Anton Bredell, the minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning in the Western Cape.

The project aims to raise the dam wall by 13m which would double the existing capacity of the dam. The additional water will enable the irrigation of a further 5 000ha of farm land, which would be a huge boost for the province’s ongoing land reform project and economic growth plans.

Bredell stated that the original completion date for the project was 21 May 2018 but the project was never started.

“DWS staff, contract personnel and various equipment have been located in Clanwilliam since 2014, waiting for the project to start. This has cost the taxpayer an estimated R100 million to date. Since the new minister arrived we have heard some good things but now we look forward to seeing the fruits of the harvest.”

Dam Levels

The average water level for all dams in the Western Cape currently stands at 36.4% (2018: 17.1%). Dams supplying the City of Cape Town stand at an average of 48.6% (2018: 21%).  

Major Dam statistics

Theewaterskloof dam – 37.9% full this week (2018: 10.2%. Last week: 38.8%)

Voëlvlei dam – 59.6% full this week (2018: 14 %. Last week: 61.4%)

Bergriver Dam 69.6% full this week (2018: 41.9%. Last week: 70.6%).

Clanwilliam Dam 19.1%. (2018: 6%. Last week: 22.3%) 

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