Premier Rasool joined Minister Buyelwa Sonjica [Water Affairs and Forestry] at a sod turning ceremony for the new Berg River Dam outside Franschhoek this morning. In his address, the Premier called on citizens to use water responsibly and with a long-term view.
The Premier said: "We should not wait as citizens for Government to impose water restrictions. Only self-imposed water restrictions will endure. It is up to us to plant indigenous plants, to water gardens at night, to wash our cars less often, to flush our toilets with less water, to shower more quickly, to cook without undue mess, to store run off water. This conscious commitment must become a way of life.
"The long-term sustainable success of the Home for All depends on each of us doing her or his part; especially in the way we use our most valuable resources. Whether rich or poor, urban or rural, water is the key to long-term sustainable development for us all in the Western Cape.
"The commencement of construction today is most welcome as we face the realities of severe shortages and possible drought. Currently:
- "Provincial dam levels are at 39% - 10 to 15% lower than the 2000 shortage
- "Water restrictions are expected by September / October for domestic, agriculture and industry use
- "Rain expected this weekend will potentially increase dam levels by only 2%
- "Water cannot be pumped from the rest of the country and continent given the great distances and the semi desert Karoo adjacent to our coastal strip
"Planning for the Home for All must consider both water management issues and environmental sustainability if we are going to succeed in building a long term future here for all of us.
"This new Dam fits perfectly with our Growth and Development Strategy
- The investment of R550 million to build the dam forms part of the R 5 billion investment that Government and our Social Partners agreed we need over the next five years
- Black economic empowerment is advanced by 20% black ownership in the construction consortium
- Local economic development will be served as six hundred new jobs are created in Franschhoek"
The dam with a surface area of 535 hectares and a dam wall of 990 m will have a net capacity of 129 36 million cubic metres. The project will increase the yield of the Western Cape Water System by 18%.
For any further enquiries, please contact Redi Direko on 082 805 9119 [rdireko@pgwc.gov.za].
The Western Cape - A Home for AllINtshona Koloni - iKhaya loMntu wonke
Die Wes-Kaap - 'n Tuiste vir Almal
