The City of Cape Town is a favourite tourist destination. With Table Mountain being one of the new seven natural wonders of the world, Cape Town is also uniquely positioned where the Benguela and Atlantic ocean currents meet. Proximate environs play home to some of the most unique biodiversity found in the world with the fynbos biome protected in numerous reserves such as the Cape Peninsula, Table Mountain and Kogelberg Nature Reserves. Cape Town is also South Africa’s cultural heartbeat where artists, film makers, designers and wine connoisseurs contribute to the tourism of the country.
The recent drought and increasing demands through urbanisation are raising concerns regarding water scarcity and supply. Will the city be able to supply this growing demand, notably with additional stress due to climate change?
The Hydrological Heritage Overview aims to address the important power water has over Mankind and how we can harness that to our benefit without compromising the environment. The selection of Cape Town (following completion of Pretoria and Johannesburg) supplies the opportunity to address the mechanical impacts of water: Table Mountain formed through the action of water, and was shaped into its characteristic landform due to subsequent erosion by water action. Additional emphasis on the power of water relates to aspects of hydropower, the impacts of floods and droughts, and additionally of the power of water as it is harnessed as a vital life supporting resource and as a means of recreation.
As the final deliverable of this project, a short 12-minute documentary film has been made for the information of the general public and interested parties. The film showcases the water history of the City of Cape Town, emphasising supply from springs, dams and, more recently, artificial groundwater recharge. Although not a technical presentation, showcasing of the film will advance citizen science and public appreciation for the value of water.