The Western Cape Department of Local Government says it’s working closely with the Beaufort West Municipality to ensure the Central Karoo town’s taps do not run dry.
The town’s main water source, the Gamka Dam, is gone dry and residents and businesses are relying solely on borehole and recycled sewerage water for their supplies. Officials say they need up to R45 million to drill more boreholes.
Situated at a key junction on the N1, Beaufort West is a gateway to many Southern and Western Cape destinations.
Department spokesperson James Styan says, “We’ve been providing all sorts of support on the ground, but it’s a terrible situation. I was there myself this week. Some more funding is probably required to drill additional borehole and we’re also calling on the public that when travelling through Beaufort West, especially in the coming holiday period to please use as little water as possible when passing through the town.”
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