A move to intensify water restrictions comes as a result of diminishing dam levels and consistent water use above the daily water usage targets.
‘So many of our residents have really gone above and beyond the call of duty to save water. They have been selfless and have been true water ambassadors for us. Sadly, this cannot be said about all of our residents and our water usage has been consistently above the target. We will continue to take action against these culprits and will target the city’s top 20 000 high water users – the majority of whom reside in formal areas of the metro. We are committed to bringing this group to book. They are scuppering all of our efforts to bring down water usage.
‘Within the next week, we plan to conduct increased door-to-door visits, issue more fines where applicable, and focus strongly on education and awareness. We’ll work together with our peace officers, law enforcement officers, councillors, and our newly appointed area-based mayoral committee members.
‘We will continue to do everything in our power to further reduce water usage in our own City operations. We are also requesting our religious leaders to pray for rain.
‘We must remember that formal residential consumers are by far the biggest users of potable water in the municipality, consuming approximately 70% of total water supplied. In winter, residential consumption levels are substantially lower. Therefore, if residents could use the same amount of water that they use during the winter rainy season, the current consumption would definitely go down.
‘Our approach to water supply and sustainability is a long-term one where we are looking decades ahead at reliable water supply management and conservation. We have the systems in place now and going into the future. We can turn this situation around now if we all work together,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Informal Settlements, Water and Waste Services, and Energy, Councillor Xanthea Limberg.
The City is also engaging with the Western Cape Government and the National Government to ensure that they assist with efforts to minimise water usage.
The City will continue to implement its other key initiatives for water management and conservation, such as:
New restrictions, if adopted by Council, will include the following:
Level 3
Watering/irrigation (with drinking water from municipal supply) of gardens, lawns, flower beds and other plants, vegetable gardens, sports fields, parks and other open spaces is allowed only if using a bucket or watering can. No use of hosepipes or automatic sprinkler systems is allowed. Watering times are not restricted, however, residents are urged to limit their watering to the mornings and evenings.
No watering/irrigation is allowed within 24 hours of rainfall that provides adequate saturation. Facilities/customers making use of boreholes, treated effluent water, spring water or well-points are not exempt.
Washing (using potable water) of vehicles and boats only is allowed if using a bucket.
Level 3b
Watering/irrigation (with municipal drinking water) of flower beds, lawns, vegetables and other plants, sports fields, parks and other open spaces is allowed only on Tuesdays and Saturdays before 09:00 or after 18:00 for a maximum of one hour per day per property and only if using a bucket or watering can. No use of hosepipes or any sprinkler systems allowed.
No watering/irrigation is allowed within 48 hours of rainfall that provides adequate saturation. Facilities/customers making use of boreholes, treated effluent water, spring water or well-points are not exempt.
No washing of vehicles or boats using municipal drinking water is allowed. Vehicles and boats must be washed with non-potable water or washed at a commercial carwash.
Further to the above:
All exemptions granted under Level 3 are being reviewed with the possibility of being revoked with the option for reapplication. Current water users with exemptions under Level 3 must adhere to Level 3b irrigation days and times.
In addition to the adoption of Level 3b restrictions, the Mayoral Committee has recommended that:
Restrictions still applicable to all customers:
Restrictions still applicable to residential customers
Restrictions still applicable to non-residential customers
Customers should note that water pressure may be reduced to limit water leaks and that slight changes in water taste and clarity may occur due to low dam levels. For further information, residents can visit our water restrictions page on the website: www.capetown.gov.za/thinkwater. Customers can also contact the City via email to water.restrictions@capetown.gov.za for queries or to report contraventions.