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NEWS
RELEASE
29 August 2002
DAM
LEVELS GIVE RISE TO OPTIMISM
Dam levels look promising for summer, with considerably higher levels compared to the last few years. Good rains have dramatically increased the levels of Cape Town’s main storage dams. Overall, the five main storage dams are at 98,3 per cent of capacity compared with 96,3 per cent last year, according to the City’s daily dam level readings.
STORAGE LEVELS ON 26 AUGUST 1997 - 2002
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DAM |
BULK STORAGE |
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CAPACITY
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% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
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Ml |
1997 |
1998 |
1999 |
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
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WEMMERSHOEK |
58,644 |
100.0 |
65.6 |
94.3 |
59.1 |
100.0 |
94.4 |
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STEENBRAS LOWER |
33,517 |
95.7 |
99.2 |
79.7 |
46.4 |
99.4 |
89.2 |
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STEENBRAS UPPER |
31,767 |
100.0 |
72.7 |
100.0 |
83.3 |
100.0 |
90.9 |
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VOELVLEI |
164,122 |
92.7 |
78.7 |
74.7 |
54.1 |
82.9 |
98.0 |
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THEEWATERSKLOOF |
480,250 |
100.0 |
100.0 |
92.2 |
78.5 |
100.0 |
100.0 |
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TOTAL STORED |
768,300 |
754,848 |
704,209 |
679,211 |
542,580 |
740,072 |
755,247 |
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% STORAGE |
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98.2 |
91.7 |
88.4 |
70.6 |
96.3 |
98.3 |
“The
forecast that the dams will be full this year is promising, allowing consumers
better access to this scarce resource,” said the City’s Executive Councillor
for Trading Services, David Erleigh. “This, however, is not an invitation to
abuse water.”
“Good
rains during the winter could possibly further improve the situation, but the
City will only make a decision on restrictions at the end of October,” said
Erleigh .
The
City has initiated a number of projects to help implement water conservation and
demand management in their bid to achieve sustainable development. Projects such
as the Khayelistha Pressure Management Project, which recently won the national
award from the South African Institution of Civil Engineers, will save nine
million cubic metres of water a year by reducing the water pressure in the area.
This is equivalent to about 3% of the total water consumption of the city.
“As the demand for water increases,
so does the risk of severe water
restrictions. I am appealing to everyone living in the city to use water
sparingly and responsibly. We need to maintain discipline regarding water
conservation if a sustainable supply of water is to be ensured for the
future,” said Erleigh.
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