Olifants River water restrictions lifted

THE Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) hereby announces its decision to lift water restrictions imposed on the Olifants River System as per Gazette no 1 152 published on October 31 last year.

The decision to lift the restrictions is in line with the Government Gazette, which stipulates that should the system recover to 85% and above, the regional head must lift the water restrictions.

Following seasonal rain, which led to higher inflows into the Clanwilliam Dam, this dam increased to 99.7%.

For three years, the Olifants River System and other water systems in the Western Cape were severely constrained by the lower-than-normal rainfall that had drawn down the dam levels. The DWS imposed water restrictions for both domestic/industry and agricultural use.

Restrictions were imposed in October as follows: 40% on industrial use, 50% on domestic use and 60% on agricultural use. The lifting of these restrictions applies to both Cederberg and Matzikama municipalities. The Clanwilliam Dam supplies these towns with water: Citrusdal, Clanwilliam and Vredendal. The water restrictions were lifted with effect from July 11.

The latest dam levels assessment of July 23 shows the combined average dam levels for the Western Cape Water Supply System (WCWSS) are at 56.08%, as compared to 54.75% last week. Theewaterskloof Dam, the largest in the system, has risen to 41. 27 % compared to 20. 93 % same time last year.

DWS will reassess the Western Cape Water Supply System by the end of August. Water shortages and floods owing to climate change are becoming a new norm and present the challenge of becoming resilient, as follows: Explore alternate water sources. Intensify storm water management through green technology.

Explore aquifer recharge and constructed wetlands. Phetho Ntaba Communication Services Department of Water and Sanitation