South Africa: Water and Sanitation Updates On Western Cape Water Supply System

11 November 2022
Government of South Africa (Pretoria)
press release

Update on the use of water from the Western Cape Water Supply System (WCWSS): hydrological year 2022/23

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) met with the water users of the Western Cape Water Supply System (WCWSS) on 10 November 2022 to understand their expectations for the next year regarding water supply requirements. The meeting is an annual consultation that achieves the balance between water users' allocation (water demands), and the current storage (water availability) levels in the six big dams within the WCWSS from one hydrological year to another.

The Western Cape Water Supply System (WCWSS) supplies water to the City of Cape Town, Theewaterskloof Local Municipality (LM), Drakenstein LM, Stellenbosch LM, Berg River LM, Swartland LM, Saldanha LM, some mines & industries, as well as Water Management Institutions representing mostly farmers (irrigation)) in the catchments of the Riviersonderend, Berg & Eerste Rivers.

The main storage dams are the Theewaterskloof, Voëlvlei, Berg River, Wemmershoek, Upper Steenbras and Lower Steenbras dams. These dams are operated in an integrated manner to enhance the efficient management of stored water for the WCWSS.

All the water users, attendees of the WCWSS Steering Committee meeting held on 10 November 2022, were satisfied that the current water availability will meet the water demands for the Hydrological year 2022/23 (1 October 2022 to 30 September 2023). They also reflected on their experiences of the worst drought on record and looked for a consensus recommendation not to impose any water restriction for this period, but for all water users to implement water conservation and water demand management measures to reduce the demand by least 10%. If all water users comply that will assist to avoid implementation of restrictions.

As the WCWSS, just like any other water catchment, is vulnerable to many impacts such as longer periods of dry hot days, less annual rainfall, water losses, irresponsible use of water, and other contributing factors, water users are cautioned to use water more sparingly to avoid future severe restrictions.

The department is aware of the financial implications and the negative socio- economic consequences restrictions have on all. Therefore, it is significant to underline that our behaviour regarding responsible water use is very important during these times of adequate supply.

As the department continuously monitors the WCWSS, everyone should note that should there be any significant changes that could potentially place water availability of the WCWSS at risk, a Departmental decision on interventions will be communicated accordingly.

All are reminded that no water is to be abstracted from any resource without authorisation and in the absence of water measuring device(s) installed as per Government Notice of 12 January 2018.

Read the original article on Govt of SA.

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