JOHANNESBURG – The Council for Geoscience (CGS) has founded an unprecedented freshwater resource in Beaufort West, Western Cape, the Department of Mineral Resources said on Tuesday.
The CGS was conducting a baseline study in the area to enable government to make informed decisions related to science-based evidence on the development of shale gas resources.
Beaufort West is among other towns in the Western Cape that has been hard-hit by the massive drought due to rainfall shortages.
“We can confirm that the CGS has discovered a fresh-water resource in Beaufort West, and the preliminary results indicate that the water is fresh and can be used for drinking and other uses,” said the department.
The department also promised to put decisive measures to fully utilise the resource and ensure that it is conserved properly.
Mineral resources minister Mosebenzi Zwane said the much-needed water resource was a blessing from God, adding that it brings about a huge relief in Beaufort West and other drought-stricken towns in the Western Cape Province.
Zwane, who directed the CGS to conduct a baseline study in the area, said the study was a blessing in disguise and many people are set to benefit from the fresh water resource.
The Department of Mineral Resources also promised to handover five boreholes to the municipality and ensure that people in the surrounds have access to clean water.
Photo credits – tboltkid.com
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