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.
