Cape Flats, South Africa

The Cape Flats Aquifer (CFA) is a major water resource for the City of Cape Town, as well as for irrigation at the neighbouring Philippi Horticultural Area, which produces up to 80% of the city’s fresh produce. With groundwater extraction approaching natural recharge rates, the CFA faces the risk of saltwater intrusion, while agricultural and industrial expansion further increasing the risk of diffuse pollution, including with micropollutants. With the CFA expected to reach oversaturation during the next 5 years, and with the uncertainties associated with Global Change, the City implements an Aquifer Management Scheme to balance groundwater abstraction with aquifer recharge through the creation of hydraulic barriers against seawater intrusion and other contaminants to protect groundwater-dependent ecosystems and biodiversity, and to increase storage capacity with water of suitable quality.

Demosite leader: Gideon Wolfaardt

Entity: SUWI