The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has proposed a water reserve determination for the F60 and G30 catchments in the Berg-Olifants water management area in the Western Cape. Water reserves serve as a baseline of water availability in the region, which is then used to decide how much water can be extracted by all users. The DWS published the draft reserve determination in the government gazette in May. Based on the DWS’s figures on water availability, they propose that water extraction by farmers be reduced by 30% to ensure that the area has sufficient water to sustain its population and environment.
