How will your company be affected if the taps run dry for three months this year or next? That’s the grim scenario businesses have been asked to contemplate in a survey of the economic impact of the drought in the Western Cape. Since 2015‚ the drought is estimated to have cost more than R14bn in the agriculture sector alone‚ but the provincial Economic Development Department has commissioned the online survey in an attempt to get a more accurate picture across all business sectors. Business are asked about their water consumption and savings‚ as well as the costs they have incurred in securing alternative water supplies. "What percentage decrease [in revenue and jobs] will your business/industry experience if there is no piped/municipal water for three months in 2018 or 2019 or if you need to use 45% less [off the 2015 baseline] municipal supplied water for the next two years," reads one of the questions included in the survey. The survey also floats the idea of water tariff increas...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.