Beaufort West’s dam is bone dry

Cape Town’s main dams are currently staying stable at 76% but a Western Cape dam that has not received its due attention, in Beaufort West has run bone dry.

The Gamka Dam, the main water source for residents in Beaufort West, has run dry and the image of the dam’s state is a stark contrast to the bountiful appearance of many dams in the Cape today.

Residents of Beaufort West are now solely dependent on borehole water, but many fear that just like the dam they will eventually run dry.

The town will need R23-million to properly develop a sustainable water infrastructure.

Pressure is increasing as 12 of the 39 boreholes which supply over 50 000 residents in the area are empty.

Businesses in the hospitality industry in the area remain operational, as the owners have chosen not to rely on municipal water supply.

 

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Scary to see Gamka Dam, Beaufort West close to empty just 4 hours outside of Cape Town. . Gamka Dam showed up as being at 0% when we researched, so we decided to take a drive out. On arrival they informed us they had recently had rain and now there was 2 weeks worth of water to be used. . The dam is meant to supply the town of 34,000, instead they rely on outside help and local bore wholes. . Many places around the world are being affected by a fresh water crisis for numerous reasons, view the link in my bio to investigate further … . A commission by @wetransfer . Thanks to @instituteartist . #dayzero #capetown #wetransfer # #enviromental #water #freshwater #southafrica #drought #worldenvironmentday #instituteartist #planetincrisis #theewaterskloof #farming #freshwater #gamkadam #beaufortwest

A post shared by Joel Redman (@joelredman1) on Jul 26, 2018 at 8:57am PDT

The barren state of the dam has also affected the livestock in the area, causing red meat prices in the Western Cape to skyrocket.

According to Agri Western Cape chairperson, Carl Opperman, the severe drought has caused live stock to starve, because of the low fodder production for cattle and ostriches.

Local members of the Beaufort West area are calling for donations.

URGENT APPEAL
Ashraful Uloom is embarking on a water collection drive for Beaufort West in the Western Cape. The Gamka dam which is the town’s main water supply is completely empty.

Donate a 5 liter water bottle for only R15.
We are targeting 5000 5 liter bottles InshaAllah. pic.twitter.com/8BfYbPrR4O

— ashrafuloom (@ashrafuloom) October 10, 2018

 

Pictures: Facebook