Swellendam Unites Against Water Crisis

Key Takeaways:

• The Western Cape is experiencing a severe water crisis due to low rainfall, with several municipalities implementing water restrictions.
• In Swellendam, water restrictions are at Level 3, limiting water usage to six kilolitres per household per month.
• Residents have banded together to conserve water, with some collecting non-potable water from municipal collection points.
• The municipality is working on short-term solutions, including drilling boreholes and extracting water from the Breede Valley River.
• The community has come together to support the municipality’s efforts, with many residents making changes to their behavior to conserve water.

Introduction to the Water Crisis
The Western Cape is facing a severe water crisis, with several municipalities experiencing water shortages due to low rainfall. In Swellendam, a town in the Western Cape, water restrictions are in place, limiting water usage to six kilolitres per household per month. The restrictions have been in place for weeks, and residents are feeling the effects. Le Roux van der Merwe, a resident of Swellendam, stated that the low rainfall season has caused a lot of problems with the water supply. The town’s water restrictions are at Level 3, which means that residents are limited to using six kilolitres of water per month.

The State of the Dams
The dams that supply water to Swellendam are not full, and the municipality is struggling to meet the demand for water. The Buffeljags Dam, which supplies non-potable irrigation water to nearby farms, is not showing signs of distress, but the Grootkloof Dam 3, which is the town’s main supplier of drinking water, is far from full. The dam level was at 46% between December 15 and 17, and the municipality had enough potable water for just 41 days. The situation is critical, and the municipality is working to find solutions to the water crisis.

Community Efforts to Conserve Water
Despite the challenges, the community in Swellendam has come together to conserve water. Residents are collecting non-potable water from municipal collection points, and some are even distributing water to those in need. Van der Merwe’s property agency has been distributing water in the Overberg region, which includes Swellendam. On December 16, his company gave out about 63 containers of water to residents. The community’s efforts to conserve water are commendable, and it is clear that residents are taking the water crisis seriously.

Challenges with Water Restrictions
However, the water restrictions are not without challenges. The Campher family, who have lived in Swellendam for many years, are struggling to cope with the six-kilolitre limit. Wilhelm Campher stated that the river that runs through the town never used to run dry, but now it is a concern. His son Roelof pointed out that the six-kilolitre limit is the same for all households, regardless of size. This means that larger families are struggling to make do with the same amount of water as smaller households.

Migration and Infrastructure
The municipality is also concerned about the impact of migration on the town’s infrastructure, including water. Municipal manager Anneleen Vorster stated that the influx of people into the town puts pressure on municipal services. A new wind farm project has attracted workers to the area, and there are concerns that this could exacerbate the water crisis. However, Vorster noted that the average water usage in the poorer suburbs and informal settlements is less than six kilolitres per month, so the biggest users of water are actually in the central business district.

Short-Term Solutions
In the short term, the municipality is working on drilling four or five boreholes to supplement the town’s water supply. Vorster stated that the municipality is hopeful to receive funding from the Department of Local Government to support this effort. The municipality is also exploring long-term solutions, including extracting water from the Breede Valley River and increasing the height of the Buffeljags Dam.

Community Support
Despite the challenges, the community in Swellendam is rallying around the municipality’s efforts to address the water crisis. Vorster stated that the community has been very supportive, with many residents making changes to their behavior to conserve water. The South African Police Service and the hospital have also been working with the municipality to support its efforts. Vorster is proud of the way the community has come together to address the water crisis, and she believes that the changes in behavior will be long-lasting.