WESTERN CAPE DROUGHT
Urban demand curbs farmers’ water quotas
Farmers fear a third of their harvest could be badly affected if there’s no rain by end-March
The falling dam levels in the Western Cape have caused panic among farmers in the Theewaterskloof Dam region. They fear that a third of their harvest could be badly affected if it does not rain by the end of March. The region produces deciduous fruit, including apples, pears, plums and peaches. Only about half of the harvest has been completed and 2018’s harvest is at risk because little, if any, post-harvest water is available. Theewaterskloof Dam is one of the largest reservoirs for drinking water in Cape Town. The dam’s water supply serves for municipal and industrial use, and irrigation. But dam levels have fallen and only about 100 days of usable water is left. This has resulted in farmers who rely on the Theewaterskloof Dam being restricted in how much water they get from it. Dam levels are lower than 25% and, according to Agri Western Cape, if rainfall is below average again this coming winter, this will have disastrous consequences for the agricultural sector in the region. ...
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