Cape facing drought disaster
2009-11-04 20:20
Cape Town - The Western Cape is facing its first "full-scale disaster" as a severe drought shows signs of worsening in the Eden District in the southern Cape.
Local government MEC Anton Bredell told journalists in Cape Town on Wednesday that the province has recommended the district be declared a disaster area.
"We are facing a big disaster," Bredell said.
"I think it will be the first full-scale disaster that will hit the Western Cape if circumstances keep on deteriorating as we expect. The prediction is that it will get warmer rather than wetter.
"We as a Cabinet decided to recommend to the National Disaster Management Team that we declare the region a disaster area."
Running out of water
The team would be able to recommend to the National Assembly that the district be declared a national disaster area.
"The reason we decided to go this route is so that we have the powers to intervene early enough," Bredell said.
"We have to prevent George, Knysna and Mossel Bay from running out of water. We are especially concerned about George.
"If it is declared a disaster area then we can intervene. We can bypass some of the requirements and if necessary tap into even more national funding."
The province has received R53m from the government to fight the drought in the region.
"This is so big that we as a provincial government can't tackle this alone," Bredell said.
National govt helping
"National [government] has stepped in and the department of water affairs has stepped in to help. We are very grateful."
Bredell has written to mayors of the municipalities in the region, requesting them to cut water consumption by 30%.
He also asked that they implement emergency tariffs, monitor consumers with high water consumption and "take appropriate steps" to limit their water use.
Bredell said the government was "a bit worried" that political instability in the region may stand in the way of fighting the drought.
The drought started in January this year in Sedgefield when the Karatara River, the town's primary water source, ran dry. It extended to Knysna, George and Mossel Bay as a result of low rainfall.
"Weather forecasts indicate dry conditions, below normal rainfall, high temperatures and winds."
Waste water treatment
Jacqui Pandaram, acting director of provincial disaster management and fire brigade services said George was looking at introducing a waste water treatment works that would cost around R795m.
Knysna was reusing treated effluent and considering a mobile desalination plant that would cost around R30m.
Mossel Bay was considering treating effluent water being used by PetroSA, at a cost of R26.5m, Pandaram said.
The drought comes as the region prepares for a major influx of holidaymakers over the festive season.
Local government department deputy director-general Hildergart Fast said holidaymakers were welcome in district, but said: "They must conserve water like never before".
- SAPA