A glance at the weather report for Beaufort West today reveals that heavy rains have been predicted over the next week - excellent news for the Karoo town that has been experiencing the worst drought in decades.
The following quote is from the City of Cape Town website:
“The town of Beaufort West is currently without any surface water sources as its supply dam is completely empty. It is at present solely reliant on groundwater from boreholes, donations of water in tankers and bottles from individuals and organizations who heed the call to provide water. Every drop of water is seen as a blessing. The municipality has restricted its community to 12 Kilolitres/household/month and completely cuts the water supply every 36 hours. Tankers then supply the households with wash water and five litres of drinking water per day. No vehicle washing, irrigation of gardens etc. is allowed."
~Louw Smit, Director: Engineering Services of the Beaufort West Municipality.
Calls for water were headed by individuals and corporates as well as the City of Cape Town who came to the aid of the residents by partnering with a water tanker manufacturer Henred–SA Roadtankers. Five tankers were due to deliver 150, 000 litres of the life giving liquid to the town last night.
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| Water tankers en route to Beaufort West. Image credit |
YOU Can Help
Bottled water has been donated by members of the public to help alleviate the problem - those who may be travelling to or through Beaufort West in the coming days and weeks (till 31 December 2010) are asked to travel with sealed 5l water bottles and to drop them at the BP service station in the town en route.
The situation, while difficult for everyone must be especially trying for those with babies and young children, as well as the ill and the elderly.