Dam levels steadily rising, but caution is still required

SIGNIFICANT rains fell in some parts of the Western Cape over the past week.

According to the latest dam level assessments of July 2 by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), the combined average dam levels for the Western Cape Water Supply System (WCWSS) are at 48.33%, compared with 42.33% last week, with Theewaterskloof Dam, the largest in the system, having risen to 34.15%, compared with 19.24% at the same time last year.

The snow that fell from the Swartberg Mountains to the Theewaterskloof valley has the potential to recharge groundwater in particular where we are drilling near Theewaterskloof Dam.

While we are pleased with the manner in which our dams are replenishing, we wish to remind all water users to continue using water efficiently.

The fact that our dams are replenishing fast provides us with an opportunity to ramp up the watersaving momentum.

The drought that has prevailed in the Western Cape provided an ideal opportunity to chart a way ahead with much more vigour towards achieving equitable water use.

This water for equity and the drought can be understood as the following:

• Cutting down on water use, especially high-end water users.

• Cutting down on wastage. The City of Cape Town is showing the way in drastically reducing water use per day.

• This reduction in water use has tremendous advantages downstream of the supply and return flow lines where the lifespan of the asset is stretched at minimal cost. The position we have now is that dams are fuller than in the past few years and that we are using less water, which means that our water security is greatly enhanced.

The Department of Water and Sanitation will keep the pressure on usage of alternative water sources, including recycling, ground water, et cetera.

The effects of climate change force all of us to explore the use of alternative water sources, ie recycling and ground water as primary sources to reduce reliance on surface water.

The DWS appreciates all efforts by water users who have used water efficiently and effectively, and we continue to encourage this practice.

Rashid Khan Regional Head: Department of Water and Sanitation (Western Cape)

Picture: Henk Kruger/African News Agency (ANA) RELIEF: Theewaterskloof Dam’s water level continues to rise thanks to the good rain in the region over the past week. Severe rainstorms lashed Cape Town and other parts of the drought-stricken Western Cape, leading to severe flooding in places.