Dam levels in Western Cape drop below 40%

Water usage in the Western Cape remains high and dam levels keep falling fast‚ the provincial government warned on Monday.

The average water level for dams across the Western Cape has dropped to below 40%.

Western Cape local government‚ environmental affairs and development planning MEC Anton Bredell‚ said despite hard work done to reduce water consumption‚ water usage remains high and dam levels are worrying. However‚ Bredell said the water situation in the Western Cape is not yet at a crisis level‚ despite some areas having been declared disaster areas over the past year.

Video posted to YouTube by Mille Foto.

“It is massively concerning to see dam levels on average at 39.4%. We are still some way off from our rainy season and therefore‚ once more‚ call on consumers to assist us in using water responsibly. We are constantly monitoring the situation and municipalities are implementing additional measures including restrictions and tariff increases where necessary‚” he said.

• Battle for water gets ugly in Vryheid as locals come to blowsIn Vryheid, northern KwaZulu-Natal, water is so valuable that people are having fist fights over it. In this town of 211 000, a story is playing out of how things fall apart when the water dries up. And, as parts of South Africa wilt under a crippling drought, the story that Vryheid has to tell is not pretty. 

In Cape Town‚ tougher water restrictions will likely come into force from next week. The city wants to intensify water restrictions as a result of diminishing dam levels and consistent water usage above the daily water usage targets.

The city council is due to vote on the proposal this week.

Under the proposed tougher restrictions‚ the watering of gardens‚ parks and other open spaces will only be allowed for an hour before 9am or after 6pm on Tuesdays and Saturdays. No use of hosepipes or any sprinkler systems will be allowed. No washing of vehicles or boats using municipal drinking water will be permitted. Vehicles and boats must be washed with non-potable water or washed at a commercial carwash.

• Shaming and blaming: Five ways to tackle the water-wasters in YOUR lifeYou’ve tightened the taps‚ skipped a few showers and used grey water on the plants. Now the real challenge is how to get others to do their bit for saving water during the worst drought the country has seen in three decades. 

“Within the next week‚ we plan to conduct increased door-to-door visits‚ issue more fines where applicable‚ and focus strongly on education and awareness. We’ll work together with our peace officers‚ law enforcement officers‚ councillors‚ and our newly appointed area-based mayoral committee members‚” said Xanthea Limberg‚ the city’s mayoral committee member responsible for water and waste services.

-TMG Digital/BusinessLIVE