Province is working hard to avoid Day Zero for our water supplies
MINISTER of Water and Sanitation Nomvula Mokonyane pronounced that the Western Cape Province, and in particular the City of Cape Town, would be able to avoid Day Zero (the day the available water runs out for distribution to water users at household level from the Western Cape Water System) when higher levels of water savings and alternative supplies of water are used without delay.
The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) operates and owns dams of higher storage capacity that would be able to store large quantities of rainfall within the catchment areas of the dams.
The DWS regional office wishes to confirm the understanding that this department together with the dedicated and collective efforts of the other committed and diligent role players such as the National Disaster Management Centre, the Provincial Disaster Management Centre as managed by the office of the premier, the Provincial Department of Co-operative Governance as well as the local government authority via the City of Cape Town, would be able to avoid Day Zero.
It is important to note the following five key point plan as proposed by the National Department of Water and Sanitation to manage this drought in the province is strictly adhered to: Depress demand. Recycle water use. Use alternative sources of water in place of municipal supply of potable water.
A deliberate and longer term move away from reliance on rainfall.
Encourage the implementation of climate-change behaviour and actions.
The department commends all water users (such as the City of Cape Town and other municipalities) in this province that have implemented water-savings during these severe drought conditions. We also call upon all municipalities to follow the recommended modus operandi of the City of Cape Town where possible to better manage the drought and avoid Day Zero.
I wish to also acknowledge the committed, dedicated and unfailing partnership of the provincial administration and the City of Cape Town. The demand for water has been remarkably reduced by the City of Cape Town and other municipalities, thereby concomitantly improving their water security.
All that remains is to forge ahead with compliance with the 40% water restrictions imposed by this department and the use of alternative supplies as of October 1, 2017.
President Jacob Zuma launched the ‘War on Leaks' programme. It has now become necessary to utilise this team and obtain water savings by curtailing water leakages. In view of the debilitating drought prevailing in the province, the regional office invites identified higher risk municipalities to deploy these learners for their newly acquired skills and competency in curtailing leaks within the bulk and reticulation supply systems.
The management of water security cannot be subjected to political interference and our minister has pronounced to agree on this crucial issue.
As the regional head, I thank you kindly for your continued partnership and due diligence in improving the water security for us all in the urban environment of the province.
Let me wish you the best of the festive season and be assured that some of us will continue to work feverishly to ensure that Day Zero does not arrive with or without the visitations of our friends and family to our shores.