A statement released on Thursday said the Western Cape Cabinet has approved an extra R82.5m to the provincial Department of Local Government for drought augmentation projects.
The money will be given to municipalities bordering Cape Town like Saldanha Bay, Drakenstein and Swartland, who also rely on the same water supply.
“This brings the total amount allocated by the department on water augmentation projects since 1 April 2017 to R108.7m,” said James-Brent Styan, spokesperson for Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning MEC Anton Bredell.
The statement further said, “We remain committed to assist the city in combating the ongoing drought crisis by reducing the pressure on the greater system.”
Conversations with national government are ongoing.
Bredell urged all affected to continue to save water. Level 6B water restrictions have been in effect in Cape Town since February 1.
To date, the Western Cape government has received R74m in disaster relief funding and 44% has already been spent. The rest has been allocated to other similar projects.
The funds come with strict instructions for R40m to be put towards agriculture for livestock feed; R20m set aside for drilling into aquifers and R14m has been allocated for relief projects into Bitou and Theewaterskloof municipalities.
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