Minister of Water and Sanitation Department, Ms Nomvula Mokonyane will launch the raising of Clanwilliam Dam Water Project in Clanwilliam, Western Cape, on Friday 13 February 2015.
Clanwilliam Dam is situated on the Olifants River near the town of Clanwilliam which is within the Cederberg Municipality in the Western Cape Province. The dam was originally built in 1935 and was later raised by 6 metres to its current level in 1969 to provide for an increasing irrigation demand. In recent years, the Lower Olifants River Water Users Association requested the then Department of Water Affairs to investigate the feasibility of raising the dam in conjunction with the rehabilitation of the dam wall. Raising the full supply level will increase the storage capacity and yield of the dam and improve water availability, which is currently considered inadequate for the high value crops produced through the scheme.
A further purpose for the raising of the Clanwilliam Dam is to restore the safety of the dam, to improve assurance of supply, provide for the ecological reserve (in- stream flow requirements) and to provide for additional allocation to resource poor farmers as the dam is currently over committed. The additional yield resulting from a 13 m raising was assessed at 69, 5 million m3 per annum.
During the launch Minister Mokonyane will also make due pronouncements regarding future Department of Water and Sanitation interventions in the West Coast area.
Media is invited as follows:
Date: Friday 13 February 2015
Venue: Augsburg Sports Ground, Clanwilliam
Time: 09h00 to 14h00
Photo opportunities and media interaction will be made possible.
For media enquires contact:
Sputnik Ratau
Director Media Liaison
Cell: 082 874 2942
Tel: 012 336 6813
E-mail: rataus@dwa.gov.za
For confirmation of attendance:
Malusi Rayi
Cell: 083 320 1249
E-mail: rayim@dwa.gov.za
Pheto Ntaba
Cell: 082 809 2031
E-mail: ntabap@dwa.gov.za
