To combat the challenges of rapid population growth and climate change, the City of Cape Town (CoCT) announced it is aggressively expanding its water supplies. The new initiatives are outlined in the city’s New Water Programme (NWP), a key component of the city’s strategy to maintain water resilience and sustainability in the future.
Recent Census 2022 data revealed Cape Town’s population is now 4 772 846, a sharp increase of 27.6% since 2011. This puts a major strain on water infrastructure, especially combined with the impacts of climate change.
New Water Programme in Full Swing
The NWP is already yielding positive results, aiming to add a crucial 300 million litres of water per day from diverse new sources by 2030. Highlights include:
- Alien Invasives Cleared: Removal of these thirsty plants has replenished 16.1 billion litres of water to dams in the past six months.
- Water Reuse: The Faure New Water Scheme will eventually create 100 million litres per day of purified, drinking-quality water from treated wastewater.
- Groundwater Extraction: The city is tapping into aquifers, projected to provide approximately 105 million litres of drinking water per day by 2040.
- Desalination: A planned permanent desalination plant is expected to produce 50 to 70 million liters of water per day from the ocean.
- Infrastructure Improvements: Proactive maintenance and upgrades to water systems are underway to reduce losses and ensure efficient water use.
“Through actively implementing these solutions and investing in infrastructure maintenance, the City aims to ensure a sustainable water future for its residents and mitigate the challenges posed by population growth and climate change,” said Councillor Zahid Badroodien, Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation.
