…By Lola Smith for TDPel Media.
The National Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has welcomed the recent rains that fell in the Western Cape catchments over the weekend and earlier this week.
The Western Cape Water Supply System (WCWSS), consisting of six large dams, saw a slight increase of less than 1% in average level this week.
However, the Berg River Catchment area experienced a notable increase in water levels, with the Berg River, Eikenhof, and Stettynskloof dams seeing an increase of more than 5% this week.
The Theewaterskloof Dam, the largest dam in the province, remains stable at 55.46% compared to last week’s 55.39%.
Unpredictable Climate Change
The Western Cape typically experiences significant rainfall during the winter months, but the unpredictability of climate change may alter this pattern.
Therefore, DWS urged water users to continue using water sparingly to ensure water security for the province.
This call is consistent with the province’s ongoing water-saving campaign to create awareness and encourage residents to adopt more water-efficient habits to ensure water security.
In conclusion, the recent rainfall in the Western Cape catchments has brought slight relief to the water levels, with the Berg River Catchment area experiencing a notable increase in water levels.
However, the unpredictability of climate change calls for continued water conservation measures to ensure water security for the province.