Cape Town is seeing measurable gains in its water supply thanks to an extensive program targeting invasive vegetation across the city’s critical catchment areas.
The City’s efforts have restored roughly 18.77 billion litres of water annually, equivalent to 51 million litres a day, by removing water-intensive alien plants such as pine, gum, and wattle, as per the City of Cape Town.
Through the Water and Sanitation Directorate, in partnership with the Greater Cape Town Water Fund (GCTWF) and other conservation organisations, thousands of hectares of degraded catchments have been cleared.
Since April 2019, 41,306 hectares have been stripped of invasive plants, with a further 50,644 hectares maintained through follow-up clearing to control regrowth.
As Councillor Zahid Badroodien, Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, highlighted: ‘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.’
By replacing thirsty alien species with indigenous vegetation, the City is improving the efficiency of water delivery while also safeguarding surface and groundwater systems that supply the metro’s growing population.
The GCTWF, led by The Nature Conservancy alongside various conservation partners, plays a key role in this initiative. Beyond increasing water yield, clearing invasive plants also brings wider environmental and socio-economic benefits, from habitat restoration to increased biodiversity.
The initiative complements larger water security projects, including groundwater abstraction and managed aquifer recharge under the City’s New Water Programme, underscoring a balanced, multi-faceted approach to managing Cape Town’s limited resources.
Residents are also encouraged to continue practicing water-wise habits as part of this collective effort.
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