Cape water restrictions lifted

A resident fills her bucket with contaminated water from a tap in the township of Boitumelong in Bloemhof in North West on Thursday, 29 May 2014. North West health department spokesman Tebogo Lekgethwane said Bloemhof's water source had been contaminated. "The municipality also stopped water distribution to the community as it was clear the water was the source of contamination and that the water circulating was not safe," he said. He said water tankers had been sent to the area. Resident Kgomotso Moalusi said some people were not getting water from the tanks. "The water tanks are selective. They give water to their own people. They started giving water to people late last night in five litre containers." Picture: Werner Beukes/SAPA

A resident fills her bucket with contaminated water from a tap in the township of Boitumelong in Bloemhof in North West on Thursday, 29 May 2014. North West health department spokesman Tebogo Lekgethwane said Bloemhof's water source had been contaminated. "The municipality also stopped water distribution to the community as it was clear the water was the source of contamination and that the water circulating was not safe," he said. He said water tankers had been sent to the area. Resident Kgomotso Moalusi said some people were not getting water from the tanks. "The water tanks are selective. They give water to their own people. They started giving water to people late last night in five litre containers." Picture: Werner Beukes/SAPA

Published Jun 15, 2015

Share

Cape Town - The Department of Water and Sanitation has announced that the drought in the Ladismith-Calitzdorp district had been ended and restrictions had been lifted in some areas.

Department spokesperson Sputnik Ratau said: “The winter rainfall arrived late in the Western Cape. The first good rain has increased the major dam levels by an average of 2.5%.”

However, Ratau said there were currently still water restrictions in place in Clanwilliam and Vredendal.

“Although the rainfall has led to a reduction in water demand, the Department of Water and Sanitation, in conjunction with the Municipalities, Water Boards and other role players are imposing maximum water restrictions within the areas affected.”

Some of the dams that were being utilised for water supply and irrigation were, Theewaterskloof, Bergriver, Voëlvlei and Wemmershoek.

Ratau said dams that were only utilised for irrigation were Brandvlei, Leeu-Gamka, Stompdrift as well as Floriskraal dams.

There were currently no other water restrictions in place in the Western Cape, but normal water savings measures were still applicable and encouraged, Ratau added.

ANA

Related Topics: