Dam levels still dropping
While the latest average dam levels for the rest of the Western Cape continued to increase over the past week, thanks to the surprise rains that fell over large parts of the province during the past ten days, the situation in the greater Mossel Bay area remains a concern.
The MEC of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning in the Western Cape, Minister Anton Bredell, said there had still been very little to no relief in the drought-stricken areas such as the Mossel Bay area, the Karoo and the upper West Coast.
Bredell has called on consumers and visitors to the province to implement responsible water use in the coming months regardless of the levels of dams in any particular area.
“Even in areas where there are no shortages, we urge the public to use water responsibly and sparingly.
"In the areas where there are shortages, provincial government interventions continue to provide support to those affected. Some of this support includes additional money allocated towards fodder relief for farmers with livestock.”
The latest average dam level for the rest of the province as a whole has now increased to 66.8% (2018: 63.9%). The City of Cape
Town dams are on average 84.2% full.
Greater Mossel Bay area
In the Mossel Bay area the Klipheuwel Dam is at 46,79%, down two percentage points from last week's 48.79%.
The Wolwedans Dam, at 50.22% is almost four percentage points down from about a month ago.
The Hartebeestkuil Dam, from which farmers in the Hartenbos region get their water, is effectively dry, with merely 3.1% of water left. The level of the Ernest Robertson Dam dropped to 86.68%, down just more than 5% from a month ago.
Mossel Bay derives the bulk of its potable water from the Wolwedans Dam. While downpours have boosted dam levels in the Peninsula and Overberg, the dry conditions in the greater Mossel Bay area resulted in the rain having hardly any change in local dam levels and rivers.
The rainfall recorded in the catchment areas during the last week of October Klipheuwel Dam: 8 mm; Ernest Robertson Dam 21.20 mm and; Wolwedans Dam 14.20 mm - had virtually no effect on dam levels.
Mossel Bay executive deputy mayor, Alderman Dirk Kotzé reiterated his call for residents to adhere to the water restrictions approved by the municipal council and to use water sparingly.