Cape Town to add 3 million litres of water a day to supply by 2030

Cape Town –The City of Cape Town has launched its New Water Programme (NWP) to address the escalating demand for water caused by a population surge of 27.6% since 2011 to almost 5 million.

The NWP aims to address this demand by adding 300 million litres a day by 2030 through initiatives such as the removal of alien invasive species, groundwater extraction, water reuse and desalination, the City reports.

City of Cape Town Water and Sanitation MMC Zahid Badroodien noted that a growth in population (which was recorded at 4.78 million in 2022) as well as climate change impacts, including erratic weather patterns, have strained existing water infrastructure, endangering water security in a city susceptible to drought.

“Population growth and the impact of climate change, such as erratic weather patterns, pose significant risks to water security in a city prone to drought. To increase water supply sources, the Water and Sanitation Directorate has implemented the New Water Programme (NWP), which aims to diversify and expand Cape Town’s water supply sources,” he said.

Recent efforts include replenishing 16.1 billion litres of water in six months by clearing alien invasive species, with R25 million allocated for continued clearing activities. In addition, the City plans to construct the Faure New Water Scheme to diversify drinking water supply, adding 100 million litres per day

R4.7 billion worth of investment in groundwater projects, including the Cape Flats Aquifer, aims to reduce reliance on rain-fed dams, by adding 105 million litres of groundwater daily by 2040.

A proposed desalination plant, utilising advanced technologies, is expected to augment drinking water supply by 50–70 million litres daily.

Badroodien emphasised that by 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.