Theewaterskloof Dam at over 100%

ON AUGUST 17, I led a media tour to the Theewaterskloof Dam.

This formed part of broader monitoring of water supply systems in our province.

The Theewaterskloof Dam is an earth-fill dam located on the Sonderend River near Villiersdorp.

It is the biggest dam in the Western Cape and is part of the Western Cape Water Supply System.

The latest hydrological report showed the Theewaterskloof Dam is over the 100% level, a remarkable improvement over previous years.

The report indicated that most parts of the Western Cape experienced good winter rainfall. But we would like to implore all water users not to be complacent, but to continue with water savings initiatives.

Though the DWS (Department of Water and Sanitation) is pleased with how storage dams are filling, the Gouritz River Catchment remains a concern.

There has been a prolonged and lower-than-normal rainfall for the past five years in the Gouritz River Catchment System which has caused water-stressed conditions in some areas of this region.

The Little Karoo is in a dire water situation with a potentially devastating impact to the agroeconomy of that region.

As DWS, we liken the recent rains to the biblical years of plenty.

Climate change has cycles and all this abundance of rain in the Western Cape will soon be forgotten in years to come.

Good rainfall this year does not mean that we should lower our guard and waste water.

We remain concerned about the unlawful water use and vandalism of infrastructure.

Illegal abstraction of water and diversion of rivers and streams is unacceptable behaviour that puts pressure on strained water resources.

To stretch the available water until the next winter rainfall season we urge users to:

◆ Drive down water use to reduce demand.

◆ Make lifestyle changes in the manner water is being used.

◆ Explore alternative water sources – recycling, ground water etc.

◆ Fix leaking taps in the household and environment.

We wish to reassure all water users that as a national government department we work closely with the provincial government, municipalities and other specialists in the private sector to ensure sustainable water security across the province.