Western Cape Government urges citizens to save water amidst decreasing dam levels

The Western Cape’s Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Developmental Planning, MEC Anton Bredell, has reiterated his call for Municipalities in the province and residents to save water.

Speaking at the Stellenbosch Rate Payers Association on Monday, Bredell focused on issues of water and electricity, saying that the provincial dam levels are around 50% full.

According to the latest dam levels, the average combined dam level in the Western Cape is currently 50.4%. This is down from 51.3% reported last week, and lower than the 55.8% recorded for this time last year. The dams supplying Cape Town are currently on average 57.9% full, down from 58.2% last week, and lower than the 68.4% recorded for this time last year.

 PICTURE: Pixabay

 

“...we do not know how much rain we will receive this coming winter. Please save water now, so we do not have to take drastic measures next year,” he said.

Bredell also added that with the current high levels of load shedding, water distribution and wastewater management has been directly affected.

If water is saved properly it would help alleviate the pressure on these systems.

“We need to plan and budget for this growth in demand. But we also have to develop a water-saving mindset that must become a permanent part of our relationship with water,” he said.

PICTURE: City of Cape Town

Done By: Thaakiera Ackerdien