Infrastructure failures impact WC water crisis

CAPE

- MURRAY SWART

EMERGENCY interventions have helped stabilise water supply in Knysna, but officials warn the situation remains critical.

(AYANDA NDAMANE Independent Newspapers)

Town's dam levels remain above 60%, but rising water consumption and mounting infrastructure challenges across the Western Cape are intensifying warnings that the province's water security is under growing pressure.According to the City of Cape Town, dam storage currently stands at 62.2%, almost 20% lower than at the same time last year, and will need to last until the next seasonal rainfall cycle. At the same time, daily water usage has again exceeded the city's target, peaking at 1062 million litres a day – 87 million litres above the 975 million litres per day benchmark.

Figures published in the City's weekly water dashboard show sustained pressure on demand throughout December and January, with consumption consistently hovering above one billion litres per day.