Western Cape water levels drop fast as Day Zero fears resurface

Dam levels across the Western Cape are declining fast.

Cape Town’s water system currently stands at 66%, and the town of Knysna is just days away from running dry.

With little rainfall forecast and consumption remaining high, concerns are growing about a possible return to Day Zero conditions.

On Wednesday, MEC for Local Government Anton Bredell said Knysna plans to drill seven new boreholes over the next month. However, the town needs immediate water relief.

The Department of Water and Sanitation’s Western Cape head, Zanele Bila-Mupariwa, says the national government has been offering the municipality technical support.

"We are also in the process of considering supporting the municipality in terms of fast-tracking the drilling of the boreholes."

It is also assisting in speeding up the process of authorising the use of existing boreholes, she says.

Meanwhile, residents of Knysna are being called on to reduce water consumption to 50 litres per person per day.

Bredell says the aim is to integrate lessons learned from Cape Town's Day Zero, adding that Capetonians today use less water than in 2015, despite a 27% population growth.

However, Bila-Mupariwa says contingency measures are in place to avoid the town running completely dry.

"I wouldn't say we will get to a point where Knysna will run out of water because there are other sources that we are currently taking on."

Long-term measures, says Bila-Mupariwa, include building another dam in the area.

"We also need to look at the recycling of water, the reuse of water; there is also a desalination plant that needs to be rehabilitated."

To listen to Bila-Mupariwa in conversation with Africa Melane, use the audio player below: