WC govt puts 15-year plan in place to manage water supply and demand

CAPE TOWN – The Western Cape government said that it had learnt a lot from the energy crisis, adding that it had put a plan in place to manage current and future water supply and demand.

Premier Alan Winde hosted the Water Indaba with Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis in attendance.

I attended the Western Cape Water Indaba in Cape Town today. The two-day Indaba aims to bring together the 3 spheres of government, as well as experts in the field of water management and conservation, to discuss measures to manage this precious resource.

‘ Premier Alan Winde (@alanwinde) March 22, 2023

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.

‘ Premier Alan Winde (@alanwinde) March 22, 2023

I am attending the Western Cape Water Indaba. SA’s water scarcity challenges are as critical as the energy crisis. While we are tackling these crises we must also learn from them to better plan for the future. pic.twitter.com/LfexAugvn7

‘ Premier Alan Winde (@alanwinde) March 22, 2023

The event marked World Water Day on Wednesday, with a 15-year integrated drought and water response plan tabled to deal with water management and scarcity in the province.

However, Extinction Rebellion environmental activist, Jaqui Tooke said that communities had not been informed about the plan that affects everyone.

“One of the figures that stands out from 2018 is that 30,000 people lost their jobs in the agricultural sector just in that year because there wasn’t enough water, and so we are feeling this anxiety around seeing our leaders not taking enough precautions about what’s coming down the road. What does that mean about our fellow citizens’ jobs, what does that mean about our food security?”