Department rolls out Phase Two of the enforcement and monitoring blitz | Infrastructure news

The Department of Water and Sanitation’s Western Cape branch is rolling out the second phase of its enforcement and monitoring blitz as part of its drought intervention efforts.

Phase Two of the operation is set to target the Breede – Overberg Catchment Areas as well as the Berg-Olifants Water Management areas for wineries.

The Department says this phase will focus on compliance to restrictions, installation of water meters, effluent standards as well as discharge.  In addition the department will also look at the quantity of water abstracted, and the quality of water being discharged by the sector in to the rivers and the environment.

Partnering for impact

To further intensify drought intervention efforts the department has partnered with several other spheres of government on Phase Two.

Some of the departments and government entities forming Phase Two of the blitz include the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Western Cape Liquor Authority, Department of Environment al Affairs, Development and Planning, Breede – Gouritz Catchment Water Management (BGCMA).

DWS Director Regulations Boniswa Hene says the department is broadening the intervention to involve other departments in a bid to emphasise that all users comply with the restrictions.

These organs of state will be focusing on Basic Condition Employment Act, Occupational Health and Safety, Employment Equity Act, validity of licenses for manufacturing and distribution of liquor by the wineries and the National Prosecuting Authority will priorities all the contraventions came across during the Blitz.

Ensuring taps do not run dry

“The enforcement and monitoring blitz a means of verifying lawful water access while ensuring that water users adhere to current water restrictions gazetted and published recently,” the department explained.

“This activity forms part of national government’s initiatives to support the Western Cape to ensure that taps do not run dry,” it concluded.

 

 

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