The Importance of Water Resilience in Cape Town: A Closer Look at the New Water Programme

by
1 min read
water resilience cape town Cape Town

As Cape Town celebrates its dam levels reaching an impressive 100.8%, it is essential to recognize that water security is not guaranteed for the future. It is crucial to remain mindful of water usage and invest in long-term solutions to ensure water resilience.

The New Water Programme

The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate is focusing on the New Water Programme to address water resilience. The programme aims to bring an additional daily 300 million litres of water online by 2030 through projects such as desalination, groundwater schemes, and reuse.

Newsletter

Stay Informed • Cape Town

Get breaking news, events, and local stories delivered to your inbox daily. All the news that matters in under 5 minutes.

Join 10,000+ readers
No spam, unsubscribe anytime

Contributing to Water Resilience

Councillor Zahid Badroodien emphasizes that more than just dams are needed to ensure a resilient water supply. The City cannot achieve the goal alone and thanks residents for their contributions, whether in the form of paying water bills or making water-wise decisions in their daily lives.

How Dams Work

To address questions surrounding overflowing dams, Councillor Badroodien offers insights into how the City calculates a dam’s capacity and what happens to excess water. A percentage exceeding 100% indicates that the dam is overflowing, and the excess water goes down the rivers, playing an essential role in the ecological functioning of these watercourses. The amount of water in each dam depends on the rainfall in that specific geographical area and the volume of the dam.

Water Tariffs

Councillor Badroodien clarifies that the lowest tariff has been in effect since 1 November 2020, and the cost of providing the water service remains largely the same regardless of the dam levels or the volume of water used. The fixed basic charge is necessary for the City to continue providing reliable water services to Cape Town.

The Importance of Remaining Water-Wise

While celebrating the full dams, it is crucial to consider long-term solutions for water security. The investment in the New Water Programme aims to reduce the city’s dependence on rainfall and dam storage. Residents must always remember to be water-wise, as water remains a precious resource that should never be wasted.

Tags:

You might be interested in

Amanda Wilson is a Cape Town-born journalist who covers the city’s evolving food scene for national and international outlets, tracing stories from Bo-Kaap spice shops to Khayelitsha micro-breweries. Raised on her grandmother’s Karoo lamb potjie and weekend hikes up Lion’s Head, she brings equal parts palate and pride to every assignment. Colleagues know her for the quiet warmth that turns interviews into friendships and fact-checks into shared laughter.

View all

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

community engagement social justice Cape Town
Previous Story

Clint Abrahams awarded for his role in Bong’s Inn project

c o
Next Story

Protecting Cape Town’s Coastline from Illegal Encroachments

Latest from Blog

Medical Prodigy South African Education

A Teenager in a White Coat: How One Student Shattered South Africa’s Medical Age Record

{“summary”: “Imagine a whiz kid, David Obagbuwa, who started high school at 11 and became a doctor at just 21! He shattered South Africa’s medical age record, proving that a sharp mind and hard work can achieve amazing things. From classrooms in KwaZuluNatal to intense medical studies, David tackled every challenge. Even during lockdown, he quickly mastered his courses. Now, he’s ready to help people, showing that big dreams can come true, no matter how young you are.”}

Cape Epic Disability Inclusion

Martian Dust, Carbon ankles & a R4-million Promise: Inside the 2026 Cape Epic’s Mobility Rebellion

Get ready for the 2026 Cape Epic, but this isn’t just any bike race! Three special teams, using amazing robotic legs and carbon ankles, will tackle the tough trails. They’re racing to raise R4 million to buy 200 new prosthetic limbs, 150 wheelchairs, and 50 sports blades for people in South Africa who need them. Every pedal stroke helps someone gain freedom and move again, showing that movement is for everyone, not just a few. This epic journey turns sweat into hope, changing lives one kilometer at a time.

Cape Town Extortion

Cape Town’s Shadow State: How Extortion Became the New Township Taxman

Cape Town has a big problem: bad guys are shaking down businesses and projects for money. They act like “taxmen” in townships, making building costs shoot up and forcing small shops to close. These criminals cause fear, stop important work, and even kill people who get in their way. It’s like a shadow government taking over, making life hard for everyone and costing the city tons of money. People are scared, and it’s unclear how this dangerous situation will ever truly end.

Firefighting Leadership

The Woman Who Taught Cape Town to Breathe Under Fire

Arlene Wehr taught Cape Town how to fight fires like a boss! She was one of the first women firefighters and totally changed the game. Arlene created cool new ways to find water, like “Operation Liquid Grid,” and made sure everyone had a chance to become a firefighter, even women. Because of her, Cape Town is safer, and the fire department is much more welcoming to all.

Morea House luxury hotel

Morea House: Where the Atlantic Meets Art, Granite and Ghost-Nets

Morea House is Cape Town’s first fancy Marriott hotel, born from an old 1960s building. It shines with blushpink walls and art made from old fishing nets, making it feel truly special. This hotel is all about local beauty, from its design to its food, and even how it saves the planet. Imagine rooftop pools, unique spa experiences, and rooms where you wake up to amazing views. It’s a place where every detail tells a story of the ocean and the land, making your stay unforgettable.