Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning

Question by: 
Hon Aishah Cassiem
Answered by: 
Hon Anton Bredell
Question Number: 
22
Question Body: 

In the light of the recent water crisis facing the Swartland Local Municipality where residents complained about excessive demand for water supply as the reservoirs ran dry:

  1. Whether the municipality is approaching Day Zero; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
  2. whether his Department is capable of intervening to make sure that there are enough boreholes in the area so that residents can have access to an adequate water supply; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Answer Body: 
  1. The Swartland Municipality is not approaching a “day zero” scenario. The specific challenge with regards to water supply is limited to the greater Chatsworth area, which includes the towns of Chatsworth, Riverlands and a settlement called Silvertown, which is located on privately owned property and came into existence by means of land invasion.

The current infrastructure is not sufficient to supply the ever-increasing number of residents in the greater Chatsworth area. The illegal and unplanned settlement of Silvertown has pushed the capacity of the local water supply network beyond what it was initially designed for in terms of normal urban development growth patterns.

In summer months, when water usage generally increases, the network servicing the greater Chatsworth area cannot keep up with the demand for water. The matter is further exasperated by vandalism to the infrastructure, illegal connections and water theft.

The situation has necessitated the Swartland Municipality to manage the water supply from the system more actively to limit the disruption to residents.  The Municipality has also continuously communicated to residents of this area and raised awareness to reduce their water usage.  

In the event of a short-term water disruption, the municipality dispatches water trucks to the specific area to ensure access to potable water for all residents in the area.

  1. The Department of Local Government is working closely with the technical / engineering staff of the Swartland Municipality; to plan for future water supply infrastructure upgrading projects; by utilizing existing Sustainable Infrastructure Development and Finance Facility (SIDAFF), Water Service Infrastructure Grant (WSIG), Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG), Department Local Government Water Resilience and Municipal Intervention / Capacity Building Grant funding mechanisms.

Professional service providers of the Department of Local Government, as part of an existing 3-year Geohydrology programme, have been appointed to conduct groundwater wellfield development / groundwater resource assessments throughout all five (5) Western Cape district areas, which include the jurisdictional area of Swartland Municipality.

Date: 
Friday, February 7, 2025
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