Cape Town – Western Cape dam levels currently stand at 74.3% compared to 82% at the same time last year.
Dams supplying water to the City of Cape Town are 86% full compared to 100% last year. This is according to the latest data released by the Department of Water and Sanitation.
“If we agree that the Western Cape will have a hotter and dryer climate in the future due to climate change, and if we include the population trends that see more than 100 000 people relocating to the Western Cape each year, we must do more in terms of water infrastructure,” local government, environmental affairs and development planning MEC Anton Bredell said.
Bredell said he is concerned about the delays experienced with the Clanwilliam dam’s construction and will be asking to meet with the ministers of Water and Sanitation and Public Works.
Bredell said local municipalities also have a responsibility to plan for water infrastructure.
“I recently visited George to inspect progress made with an extension to their New Water-Treatment Works, and I have been briefed on progress being made with a new water reservoir in Worcester, developed by the Breede Valley Municipality,” Bredell said.
George Municipality is constructing a 20-megalitre per day extension to their New Water-Treatment Works. The multi-year project has a budget of R263 million for civil engineering construction works and R220m for mechanical and electrical works.
Breede Valley Municipality is constructing a new 20- megalitre water reservoir to augment their future water needs. This is a R74m project with construction commencing in April, 2022 and is scheduled for completion in August, 2023.
Cape Times