WESTERN CAPE WATER RESTRICTIONS FOR URBAN, IRRIGATION AND INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES (INCLUDING MINING)
Title: Breede -Gouritz and Berg-Olifants Water Management Areas limiting the use of water in terms of item 8 of schedule 3 of the National Water Act of 1998, for urban, irrigation and industrial (including mining) purposes abstracting water from dams and river systems served by the Western Cape Water Supply System
Government Gazette Notice: GN 413 in GG 40836 of 10 May 2017
Commencing Date: 1 March 2017
The Director -General of the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), on reasonable grounds believe that a water shortage may exists on/in the Western Cape Water Supply System (WCWSS) and/including other areas in/of the Berg River, Palmiet River and Riviersonderend River catchment areas due to insufficient rains in the 2016 winter season and limited rainfall predictions for the oncoming four months as well as a high water demand, and therefore believe that it is necessary to limit the taking of water from the dams and rivers within the Western Cape Water Supply System.
Therefore, the Director-General limited the taking of water from the WCWSS, based on the measured water demand for domestic, industrial and agricultural sectors as per the five (5) years’ average for the period 2010/11 -2014/15 as follows:
1. At least 20% curtailment on all domestic and industrial water use in the aforementioned areas.
2. At least 30% curtailment on all agricultural water use in the aforementioned areas.
3. The limitation applies from the 1 March 2017.
4. The Western Cape Provincial Head is directed to lift the water restrictions should the dams recover to above 85% of the total weighted bulk storage capacity before the next decision date in November 2017.
5. The established system’s annual operating analysis will be undertaken in November 2017 to determine the next season’s annual operating rules and restrictions.
So what for my operation?
It is important to have knowledge of these restrictions if your operation is located within one of these catchment areas, as only allowed quantities of water may be taken from the specified water system. If you contravene this notice, the authority may modify, or require you to modify the contravening waterwork (being any borehole, structure, earthwork or equipment installed or used for or in connection with water use) so that it cannot be used to take more water than what is allowed for in the notice. The authority can also remove the waterwork or require you to remove the waterwork if the notice contains a prohibition on the use of that waterwork. Any reasonable costs incurred by this modification or removal may be recovered from your operation.
What is Shangoni’s approach?
Shangoni can assist individuals and industries located in the affected area in developing a detailed water conservation/demand management strategy.
