CAPE TOWN – Removing alien vegetation in catchment areas is yielding significant results for Cape Town’s water supply, with efforts adding approximately 18,77 billion litres of water per year to the city’s resources.
The intervention, which equates to about 51 million litres a day, represents one of the City of Cape Town’s most effective and affordable methods to protect water supply. Ongoing work across priority catchments continues to deliver measurable gains for dams, rivers and groundwater systems.
“With below average rainfall experienced during the past hydrological year, managing every drop of water is more vital than ever. Clearing invasive plants is a cost-effective way to protect our water supply and make sure more water reaches our dams and rivers,” said councillor Zahid Badroodien, mayoral committee member for water and sanitation.
“By restoring degraded catchments and reducing unnecessary water losses at the source, the City is strengthening the resilience of its water system and ensuring that every possible litre is put back to work for the future of Cape Town.”
Through the city’s water and sanitation directorate, in partnership with the Greater Cape Town Water Fund and conservation partners, large areas of critical water catchments have been cleared of water-thirsty invasive species including pine, gum and wattle. These plants consume far more water than indigenous vegetation and place unnecessary pressure on the city’s water system, particularly during prolonged dry periods.
Since April 2019, 41 306 hectares of invasive alien plants have been cleared across priority sub-catchments supplying Cape Town’s major dams, with 50 644 hectares of follow-up clearing completed to control regrowth of seedlings and maintain water gains.
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The Greater Cape Town Water Fund is led by The Nature Conservancy in collaboration with other conservation partners. The nature-based intervention delivers environmental and socio-economic benefits whilst protecting both surface water and groundwater resources that form part of Cape Town’s diversified water supply.
As Cape Town navigates ongoing climate variability and rising demand, the city continues to invest in a balanced mix of solutions. Clearing invasive plants complements larger projects under the New Water Programme, including groundwater abstraction and managed aquifer recharge.
Residents are encouraged to continue using water wisely as part of a shared effort to protect this limited resource.
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