+34Dams across the Western Cape continue to see good increases thanks to continued rainfall across the largest parts of the province.
Cape Town – Dams across the Western Cape continue to see steady increases due to continued rainfall across the largest parts of the province. The latest average dam level for the province is 71.8%. The City of Cape Town’s dams are currently on average 90.
7% full, and this includes the Theewaterskloof dam that is at 87.7% – the highest recorded level since 2014. Total capacity of dams supplying the Cape Town metro increased for the week of August 24-30, 2020, a 2.7% rise from the 88% of the previous week. Mayco Member for Water and Waste, Xanthea Limberg said water consumption for the same period decreased by nine million litres per day from an average of 633 million litres per day from the previous week to 642 million litres per day.“Significant recent rainfall has pushed total rainfall for 2019/20 close to the long-term average and dams are close to full for the first time since 2013/2014. This will of course prompt serious consideration that current water restrictions be further eased following the end of the rainy season . “However, residents should please keep in mind that the impact of climate change in subsequent years is still uncertain and that this will also be factored into the eventual decision around restrictions,” Limberg said. Limberg also went on to address water tariffs, stating that a reduction in tariffs will be dependent on an increase in consumption. “Currently, the City of Cape Town is selling approximately 30% less water than before the drought, but is facing additional costs that come with increasing our resilience. It is important that the City cover its costs to ensure that the maintenance and augmentation programmes can be carried out. “Should the amount of water we are selling significantly increase this will be factored into the tariffs, but given the uncertain impact of climate change it may not be wise to actively encourage such an approach at this stage,” she said. Anton Bredell, the MEC of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning in the Western Cape, added that the winter season has been good to date and has done a lot to assist dams to recover. “Groundwater levels across the province will also have been replenished somewhat by the ongoing rains we have seen. The snowfall across the provincial mountains will be sure to increase levels further over the weeks to come.”
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Cape Town firefighters 'pepper sprayed' while battling blaze | News24Two City of Cape Town firefighters have been pepper sprayed at the scene of a fire in Seawinds.
Read more »
Fagrie Lakay nets hat-trick as Cape Town City hammer Golden ArrowsFagrie Lakay walked away with the match ball as his hat-trick helped CapeTownCityFC beat struggling goldenarrowsfc1 at Ellis Park on Saturday evening. | IOLsport
Read more »
Off-duty police officer shot dead in Cape Town, SAPS ask public for infoAccording to reports, SAPS received a complaint regarding a shooting incident on Saturday night in Langa. On their arrival they found the police officer lying on his back with a gunshot wound to the head.
Read more »
GAVIN RICH: Foreign deals for Eastern Cape rugby would have been betterThere is now no professional team representing the region known as the nursery for black rugby in SA
Read more »
It's pups not pigs that help to sniff out truffles in the Western CapeSearching for 'black diamonds' with a pack of Lagotto Romagnolo dogs at Altima vineyard farm is both blissful and rewarding - and you can do it too
Read more »