Removing alien vegetation in catchment areas is yielding tangible results for Cape Town’s water supply. These efforts have added back about 18,77 billion litres of water per year, which equates to approximately 51 million litres a day.
This work remains one of the City of Cape Town’s most effective and affordable ways to protect water supply, with ongoing work across priority catchments continuing to deliver measurable gains for dams, rivers and groundwater systems.
‘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 restoring degraded catchments and reducing unnecessary water losses at the source, the City is strengthening the resilience of its water system and ensuring that every possible litre is put back to work for the future of Cape Town,’ said Councillor Zahid Badroodien, Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation.
Through the City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate, in partnership with the Greater Cape Town Water Fund (GCTWF) and a range of conservation partners, large areas of critical water catchments have been cleared of water-thirsty invasive species such as pine, gum and wattle. These plants consume far more water than indigenous vegetation and place unnecessary pressure on the City’s water system, particularly during prolonged dry periods. The GCTWF is led by The Nature Conservancy, in collaboration with other conservation partners.
Since April 2019, 41 306 hectares of invasive alien plants have been cleared across priority sub-catchments supplying Cape Town’s major dams, and 50 644 hectares of follow-up clearing to control the regrowth of seedlings and maintain water gains. This nature-based intervention also delivers broader environmental and socio-economic benefits, while protecting both surface water and groundwater resources that form part of Cape Town’s diversified water supply.
As Cape Town navigates ongoing climate variability and rising demand, the City continues to invest in a balanced mix of solutions. Clearing invasive plants complements larger projects under the New Water Programme, including groundwater abstraction and managed aquifer recharge, while residents are encouraged to continue using water wisely as part of a shared effort to protect this limited resource.
