AGRICULTURAL NEWS - Further water restrictions have recently been imposed by the Department of Water and Sanitation, with a 50% reduction for agricultural users (up from 30%), and 40% for domestic users (up from 20%).
These restrictions will apply to all users in the Western Cape Water Supply System (WCWSS), which consists of the Wemmershoek Dam, Voëlvlei Dam, Upper and Lower Steenbras Dams, Theewaterskloof Dam, as well as the Berg River Dam.
According to Joseph Lombardt, information and knowledge manager at SATI, producers in the Berg River, Hex River and Olifants River productions areas, the three table grape growing regions in the Western Cape most affected by drought, will be severely affected by the water restrictions.
“However, our farmers are innovative and looking at ways to mitigate their losses.”
