Preventing another Day Zero: Western Cape’s strategy for water security

Western Cape Premier Alan Winde has warned that water security remains one of the province’s most pressing long-term threats, as the government accelerates dam expansions, desalination, and infrastructure upgrades to prevent future shortages.

In his State of the Province Address (SOPA) on Wednesday, Winde said the Western Cape is already facing mounting pressure from climate change, population growth, and failing municipal infrastructure, placing increasing strain on water systems.

“This region, like many others across our province, is facing serious water security challenges,” Winde said during the address.

His warning comes nearly a decade after Cape Town’s near-catastrophic drought crisis, when the city came close to running out of water. Winde said the provincial government is now focused on expanding supply and strengthening resilience to prevent similar emergencies in the future.

A key part of this strategy is the ongoing expansion of the Clanwilliam Dam, one of the province’s most significant water infrastructure projects.

“The raising of the Clanwilliam dam wall is well under way and once complete will add 69.5 million cubic metres of water to the system per year. This will give water security to the towns downstream for years to come.”

The project is expected to strengthen water access for both farming communities and towns in the region, supporting agriculture and economic stability. Winde said the province is also increasingly turning to desalination to reduce dependence on rainfall, particularly in coastal areas vulnerable to drought.

“The Plettenberg Bay desalination plant has been working all year round to augment the local water supply,” he said.

Desalination and water reuse projects are expected to play a growing role in the province’s long-term water strategy, with major investments planned to expand capacity in high-risk areas. Winde said these infrastructure investments are essential to protecting both communities and the provincial economy.

“When we invest in roads, ports, energy, water, and digital networks, we are investing in opportunity, jobs, and dignity.” 

At the same time, he warned that some municipalities are already facing severe water infrastructure failures, with residents experiencing prolonged disruptions.

He described conditions in struggling municipalities where there are “water leaks in every street, and in some cases, no water in taps for weeks on end”, highlighting the urgency of intervention and infrastructure upgrades.

The province’s long-term water plan includes expanding dam capacity, increasing desalination, and improving treatment and reuse systems to secure supply well into the future.

Winde said strengthening water resilience is essential to supporting the province’s continued growth and protecting vulnerable communities from future crises.

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