Tapping aquifers has risks
THE ARTICLE “How City can counter water shortage” (Cape Argus, March 6) by Lester September is compulsory reading for every councillor.
Failure to take timely action, as happened with the current water crisis, burdens daily existence, impedes economic growth, scares tourists and reflects poorly on those mandated to foresee problems and have advanced plans in place.
Now that drilling into the aquifers has started in earnest, is the City, managed by a DA administration, ready for the unintended consequences of large-scale extraction of underground water?
The article by September, quoting a number of experts, makes a compelling argument for continuous and substantial aquifer recharge. I agree wholeheartedly with that.
On November 3 I sent a five-page letter to the Interim Planning Committee explaining in great detail why the city should not countenance the application for rezoning of 12 portions of erven 558 in Philippi. Even so, five DA members voted in favour and carried the day. The two ANC members abstained and it was left to the ACDP and Cope to vote against the application.
Growth is essential but it can never be at the expense of ecology and the environment. The Spine Road?
‘Land belonged to Khoisan first’
Ala Starr: future is certainly going to be daunting because of long-term water scarcity. Added to our woes will be the higher prices demanded for water. Furthermore, land subsidence and salt water ingress into the aquifers will leave us more challenged.
I pointed out previously how the very centre of Mexico City, which houses the city hall, is sinking because of excess water extraction and inadequate recharging of the aquifer it sits on.
Cape Town will start experiencing a similar problem soon enough. At that point, residents will start demanding why the council had not foreseen the problem and taken appropriate measures. They will likewise want to know why permission was granted to allow developments on top of aquifers, causing inadequate recharge and pollution of the water. It’s a lose-lose scenario.
Every party in council should state where it stands on the matter of using and preserving our precious aquifers so that clarity is obtained. Andrea Tomasicchio: The proof or truth is in SA history. The rock art in the caves are truly beautiful. We were very lucky to experience this, this past weekend.