Cape Town: The city is clearing invasive plants by unlocking 18,77 billion litres of water every year. They are removing alien vegetation in catchment areas, which is yielding tangible results for Cape Town’s water supply. These efforts have added back approximately 51 litres of water per day.
This work remained one of the most effective and affordable ways to protect water supply in the City of Cape Town with ongoing work across priority catchments. It continues to deliver measurable gains for dams, rivers and groundwater systems.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Water and Sanitation – Councillor Zahid Badroodien stated that with below average rainfall experienced during the past hydrological year, they managed every drop of water, which is more vital than ever. They are doing it by clearing invasive plants, which is a cost-effective way to protect the water supply and is making sure that more water reaches the dams and rivers.
Badroodien said that they are restoring degraded catchments and are 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.
Through the Water and Sanitation Directorate of the City of Cape Town, 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. As 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, the officials cleared 41,306 hectares of invasive alien plants across priority sub-catchments by supplying Cape Town’s major dams. Further 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.
Notably, 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. This majorly includes 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.