Water shortage still critical
Residents urged to report those not abiding by current water restrictions
WATER scarcity continues to cause concern in the Western Cape, leaving the future of the Berg River Canoe Marathon hanging in the balance.
Due to low dam levels, event organisers have had to make alternative plans for the race, due to start on Wednesday.
In a statement, event organisers said they had re-routed certain parts of their race as a contingency plan in case rain in the coming days does not increase dam levels.
“The low water level and the spreading hyacinth has choked the river between Grensplaas and Gouda, covering the last quarter of the first stage and the first section of the second stage.
“If the rain significantly raises the level of the river, then there is a plan to start the race higher, running the first stage from the Franschhoek Bridge and ending at Grensplaas.
“Should the rain have little impact on the upper reaches of the Berg River, below the massive Berg River dam outside Paarl, then the option will revert to starting at Gouda and finishing on Misverstand dam after doing a lap on the dam to make up the 60km distance of the first stage,” they said.
The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (Daff) also expressed concern over water scarcity in the province and encouraged farmers to find alternative methods.
“Water restrictions for irrigation remain in place. Conditions remain poor due to the drought, especially in the West Coast and Central Karoo.
“Winter cereal crops are reportedly low due to the dry conditions. The average levels of major dams have continued to decline by 23% in 2017, while it was 38% in 2016,” the Daff said.
The department suggested that irrigation farmers reduce their planting areas, consider drought-tolerant cultivars and follow the climate forecast regularly to make informed decisions.
The City continued to make residents aware of the need to build water reserves during the winter months, as a harsh summer is expected.
They said residents should still reduce water usage even though the weather is cooler and wetter.
The mayoral committee member for Area South, Eddie Andrews, said: “We are alarmed at the number of people who are still not completely familiar with the water restriction requirements, or ways to save water. “We need residents to take responsibility now and not to ease up during these winter months. Saving water needs to become our new norm and it is important we hold each other accountable during this critical time.
“We will all be affected equally if we do not build up the reserves, so I urge all residents across the metro to become water ambassadors for Cape Town and report anyone who is still not abiding by the Level 4b water restrictions.”