This article is supplied by the City of Cape Town
With continued high stages of load-shedding, Cape Town’s water supply operations are being affected, in spite of the City’s contingency measures. And while an appeal to reduce water usage has been made to mitigate the situation, consumption levels remain above the target of 850 million litres per day.
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The ongoing high stages of load-shedding cause a number of operational challenges for water supply, including:
• The ability of water treatment plants to sustain production
• The ability of pump stations to move water through the supply network to reservoirs and areas across the City of Cape Town
Power outages, operational challenges:
The potential knock on effect is that it impacts on the City’s ability to fill up reservoirs as quickly as may be required to meet demand. In addition, some higher-lying areas may experience low water pressure or supply disruptions in the event of power outages affecting the booster water pump stations, which are required in some areas to convey water to the reservoirs supplying the higher lying areas across the city.
‘The longer we have to contend with load-shedding, the greater the potential impact on our infrastructure.” While we have to be water-wise at all times, load-shedding is an added complication that requires even more resolve.
‘We issued a call just over a week ago, requesting that Cape Town works to reduce daily water consumption to 850 million litres. We are still sitting at just over 900 million litres per day, so I appeal to everyone to do their bit and help protect the reliability of our water supply,’ said Acting Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Siseko Mbandezi.
A reminder to the public:
- Cape Town’s tap water remains safe to drink
- The City’s dams are at 70%+ capacity, so we do not have a water shortage issue
- Our aim is to ensure that treated drinking water can be supplied sustainably throughout load-shedding
- Load-shedding could result in low water pressure in high-lying areas
- However, if the problem persists for more than four hours, contact the City on: WhatsApp 060 018 1505, email water@capetown.gov.za or call 0860 103 089. Alternatively, follow the City’s Twitter account @CityofCTAlerts for operational updates
Help us by reducing your water usage
These are some of the regulations that are in place at all times:
- Hosepipes used for watering or washing vehicles, boats and caravans (when permitted) must be fitted with a controlling device such as a spray nozzle or automatic self-closing device.
- Watering is only allowed before 09:00 or after 18:00 (to avoid evaporation losses in the heat of the day). This applies to watering/ irrigation with municipal drinking water, and recommended for alternative water e.g. borehole and well-point water.
- All swimming pools must be covered by a pool cover to avoid evaporation when not in use.
- Only flush toilets and do washing when really necessary. This will also help reduce pressure on the sewer network and wastewater treatment works.
For more ways to save water click here.
Report burst pipes, leaks and water wastage (Please provide the street address, and get a reference number):
- WhatsApp 060 018 1505
- Online: www.capetown.gov.za/servicerequests
- Email water@capetown.gov.za
- SMS 31373 (maximum 160 characters. Standard rates apply)
- Call 0860 103 089
- Visit a City walk-in centre (see www.capetown.gov.za/facilities to find the one closest to you)
