Overnight rain in parched Cape Town has resulted in flash flooding and the closure of some roads in the city. "I don't have much information for you. I only [know] about flooding in Koeberg Road," provincial traffic chief Kenny Africa told News24. He said that the Huguenot Tunnel was closed for traffic due to a power failure. The City of Cape Town's Disaster Risk … [Read more...]
Urban environment to blame for Cape Town river pollution
Some residents in Hazendal, who live alongside Black River, believe that raw sewage is being pumped into the river and not only stormwater. The residents believe the deteriorating state of the river is causing an influx of flies, cockroaches and mosquitoes into their homes. The City of Cape Town says it’s just as concerned about the water quality and the … [Read more...]
Top environmental awards dominated by women for first time
The world’s foremost environmental prize has announced more female winners than ever before, recognising the increasingly prominent role that women are playing in defending the planet. The struggle for a healthy planet may sometimes feel like a series of defeats, but this year’s Goldman environmental prize celebrates six remarkable success stories, five of them driven by … [Read more...]
Shell pulls back from the Karoo
Shell is pulling back from its controversial Karoo fracking venture. Responding yesterday to questions about the company pulling the plug on its plan to frack blocs across the eastern, western and northern Cape Karoo, Shell spokeswoman Dineo Pooe said the multinational was rescaling its Karoo team. “With the low oil price environment, Shell has decided to rescale its … [Read more...]
Pharmaceutical waste a threat to rivers worldwide
River systems around world are coursing with over-the-counter and prescription drug waste harmful to the environment, researchers said Tuesday. On current trends, the amount of pharmaceutical effluence leaching into waterways could increase by two-thirds before mid-century, they told a major science conference in Vienna. "A large part of the freshwater ecosystems is … [Read more...]
Cape Town to double price of water in two years
The drought is about to whack Capetonians in the pocket‚ doubling the price of water in the next two years. The City of Cape Town’s draft budget‚ tabled at Wednesday’s council meeting‚ proposes a 27% rise in water tariffs from July 1. And it will get worse in 2019‚ with a 30.45% increase‚ followed by a 22% rise in 2020/21. The net effect is that the price of water will … [Read more...]
Water expert talks drought lessons at Mensa
In South Africa 98% of all potential raw water sources are already allocated for use. Increasing urbanisation and demand for safe sanitation place heavy demands on our water resources. The Department of Water & Sanitation estimates that R7-billion in potable water is lost annually. That amounts to 36% of the clean drinking water supply! Dr Jo Barnes, epidemiologist and … [Read more...]
The battle to save Groot Marico River
Egbert van Bart sits on a riempie bench on the stoep of the Groot Marico Visitors Information Centre, stroking the long grey beard flowing down his thin neck. Here, on the deserted main street of the “beautifully weird” bushveld dorp, he recites a well-used passage by South African author Herman Charles Bosman, describing the North West town. “There’s no other place I … [Read more...]
Features to look for in an eco-friendly home
Being eco-friendly is no longer just a fad or trend; it’s a lifestyle choice and it’s here to stay. With the Western Cape’s current severe drought situation, and thousands of tonnes of waste poured into our landfills every year, there’s no time like the present to think more seriously about adopting the ‘green’ lifestyle. If you’re browsing for houses for sale, and want to … [Read more...]
Companies celebrate World Water Day collaboration
Dignitaries, celebrities and CEO’s celebrated World Water Day last week at the V&A Waterfront in collaboration with SOS Save Our Schools (SOS). SOS campaigns highlight and assist with water security and access to water as a basic human right to enable dignity. Save Our Schools (SOS) and the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) are working together to build a Water … [Read more...]
Environmental group will monitor Table Mountain borehole drilling
The City of Cape Town's emergency groundwater drilling programme will be formally scrutinised by an environmental monitoring committee. This is to ensure boreholes are located in ecologically-acceptable areas and are operated responsibly, according to a GroundUp report. The programme, that initially proposed as many as 222 hastily-drilled exploration, monitoring and … [Read more...]
Mega coal plants versus people of South Africa: The battle for clean water
South Africa is currently facing up to the reality of a mega water crisis over three provinces. The water crisis has been declared a national disaster, which means that the national government recognises that the impacts of the water crisis go well beyond just the three provinces that have been named. An additional R6bn has been set aside in the budget for responses to the … [Read more...]
‘Coke, stop guzzling our water!’
How is Coca Cola in Cape Town able to use over a million litres of water every day while poor households are having their water cut off, asks the Water Crisis Coalition. Members of the Water Crisis Coalition protested outside Coca Cola Peninsula Beverages (CCPB) in Parow last month, asking why the company was able to use over one million litres of water every day despite … [Read more...]
