Joint media release: Premier tells Western Cape Water Indaba we all need to plan now for the future to avoid a water crisis
Premier Alan Winde attended the Western Cape Water Indaba in Cape Town today. Water scarcity is as equally important an issue as the energy crisis, and the two-day Indaba aims to bring together the provincial government, local government, and national government, as well as experts in the field of water management and conservation, to discuss measures to manage this precious resource.
Executive Mayor of Cape Town Geordin Hill-Lewis also attended the event and outlined how the City of Cape Town is investing heavily in improving and maintaining water infrastructure.
It is well documented that South Africa is water scarce. “We cannot afford to neglect this issue,” stressed Premier Winde, adding, “we came dangerously close to Day Zero several years ago. From that close shave with an all-out disaster, we along with our partners learned valuable lessons.”
The Western Cape 15-year Integrated Drought and Water Response Plan (WCIDWRP)– coordinated by the Western Cape Department of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning - was detailed at the Indaba. This is the provincial government’s overarching plan to strategically manage current and future water supply and demand. The strategy is a proactive, whole-of-government, and whole-of-society strategy to ensure the province’s water supply and demand are adequately managed going forward. This bold plan involves multiple Western Cape Government (WCG) departments working in concert to more optimally use water and invest more in water infrastructure. It looks at a short-term outlook that focuses on drought response and a long-term outlook that examines and plots out resilience planning.
Studies that inform the plan found that overall, the annual growth rate of new water demand appears to remain higher than the population growth rate for the Western Cape.
Based on expected economic and population growth, the bulk of new water demand will come from a handful of larger settlements. These fall largely within the greater Cape Metro region and surrounding Cape Winelands and West Coast N7 corridors, as well as parts of the Southern Cape.
“As catastrophic as the energy crisis is, it has and continues to teach us lessons, namely around thinking ahead, being proactive, taking precautions, and being prepared. From this crisis, we have to draw critical lessons on ensuring we manage a separate but equally important crisis: water scarcity,” said the Premier at the Indaba.
He remarked, “With the Western Cape’s population growing rapidly and the worsening climate crisis, it is essential that we plan now for the future. There is a lot at stake if we do not plan, such as the impact on economic growth and job creation and residents’ quality of life.”
Provincial Local government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning Minister Anton Bredell said, “It may be a cliché to say, ‘Water is life,’ but it is absolutely true. We came very close to this truth in Cape Town with Day Zero. We have since asked ourselves what we should do differently to prevent a similar situation in the future. It is a simple question, but the answer is complex. Due to climate change, the Western Cape is predicted to experience hotter and drier summers. We also have a fast-growing population and we need water for economic growth. As a government we have a responsibility to look after the most vulnerable in our province. This means a basket of free services, which includes safe and clean water. The 15-Year Western Cape Integrated Drought and Water Response Plan is our answer to these questions.”
Exhibitors from the private sector also showcased products which can be utilised to conserve and protect water. While touring the exhibition hall, the Premier noted the many innovations businesses and entrepreneurs have developed. He said, “We must embrace innovation in addressing this issue, whether they come in the form of state-of-the-art water filtration systems or devices that clean our rivers and seas.”
Media enquiries:
Regan Thaw
Cell: 083 627 7246
Email: Regan.Thaw@westerncape.gov.za
