This aerial picture of the Voëlvlei-dam at an alarming 29,1% level on the front page of Die Burger is disturbing evidence of the severity of the drought along the West Coast and most parts of the Western Cape. The dam was built to help feed and control the Berg River water system to supply water to the Saldanha Bay and Vredenburg areas close to the river mouth.
Whilst severe Level 3 water restrictions might be imposed as from 1 April in the Saldanha Bay municipal area, one cannot help to wonder whether private households have to bear the brunt of the crisis alone and if any restrictions apply to huge industries in the IDZ and Saldanha Bay harbour? Are wastage and water usage at these industries monitored and restricted or are they exempted from these restrictions? Do they only have to pay penalties if they exceed the limits? Where will the water come from for the rest of the planned IDZ industries and developments and the Elandsfontein/KROPZ mine if there is no drinking water?
Level 3 restrictions are stricter than Level 2 and involve increased tariffs . Key enhancements include:
Watering (using municipal drinking water) only allowed with a bucket or watering can.
No use of hosepipes or irrigation systems allowed.
Cars and boats to be washed only from buckets. (Not applicable to commercial car
washes.)
Swimming pools to be fitted with a pool cover.
No portable play pools are to be used.
Also read:
Voëlvleidam uit die Lug – 29,1% vol
Die WesKaap se damvlakke is op hul laagste in jare weens die droogte wat die provinsie se landbousektor knou. Die Voëlvleidam, wat 6 km buite Gouda geleë is, was aanvanklik skaars meer as ’n modderige moeras voordat dit in 1952 in ’n dam omskep is. Die Voëlvleidam is gebou om die water van die Bergrivier aan te vul en te beheer sodat dit aan plekke soos Saldanha en Vredenburg naby die Bergriviermond aan die Weskus gelewer kon word. Die dam hou 16 miljoen m3 water agter ’n muur van 17,7 m hoog om ’n meer van 8 km lank en 1,5 km breed te vorm. Tydens die reënseisoen word water vanuit verskeie strome in die omgewing na die dam herlei, waaronder die KleinBergrivier.
Lees ook:
http://www.netwerk24.com/Nuus/Droogte/droogte-kan-tot-duisende-afleggings-lei-20170315
http://www.netwerk24.com/ZA/Weslander/Nuus/d-dag-vir-waterperk-20170308-2
Lees ook: http://www.netwerk24.com/Nuus/Droogte/kaapstad-het-drinkwater-vir-nog-net-105-dae-20170313
