The City of Cape Town says dam levels are dropping by around 2,2% each week – and they’ve called on everyone who lives, works or plays in Cape Town to be water wise at all times, especially this summer and during prolonged high stages of load-shedding.
Dams which provide Cape Town with water are on average 65,5% full, last year this time dams were over 92% full.
The City has proactively set a maximum limit for our collective water use to be no more than 850 million litres per day, but we are currently using 969 million litres of water per day (MLD), which is 119 MLD above the required target.
Using less water will help deal with operational challenges, notably due to heavy load-shedding and summer weather conditions, which are impacting water treatment plants and ability to convey water to reservoirs and areas across Cape Town, especially to high-lying areas where the water has to be pumped.
READ MORE: Loadshedding: Use less water now
All hands-on-deck to reduce water use, to stay below the limit
The City has proided water saving tips and urging residents to take action:
INDOORS:
1. Don’t flush in a rush. Only flush when necessary and do not use your toilet as a dustbin. New or replaced toilet cisterns may not exceed six litres for each flush.
2. Take short, stop-start showers or small baths. The maximum flow rate of new and replaced showerheads may not exceed seven litres.
3. Wash more with less, for laundry and dishes. Only wash clothes and dishes (pots, cups etc) when really needed. Wait for a full load before using washing machines and dishwashers. Hand washing and spot-cleaning can use less water.
4. Turn off taps when not using the flow. E.g. Use a cup for shaving and brushing your teeth.
OUTDOORS:
5. Close the hose when washing the car. Hosepipes for washing vehicles must be fitted with a controlling device like a spray nozzle or automatic self-closing device. Stop-start your spray as you need it, and don’t spray more than you need. Alternatively, bucket-wash your car or vehicle.
Water gardens wisely…
6. Stop-start and slow your spray. Use nozzle restrictor or closing device.
7. Beat the heat loss. Only water before 09:00 or after 18:00 to avoid evaporation losses.
8. Water down to the roots directly where possible.
9. Keep summer fun water wise. Supervise careful use of water for children’s play, and cooling in hot summer months. E.g. Use a wet cloth to cool down hot skin, and avoid wasteful spraying of water.
10. Keep the pool full for longer with a cover. Built-in and fold-away pools must be covered to avoid evaporation when not in use. Recycle the backwash, and top up with rainwater or alternative water where possible.
For more useful water saving guides and information about the permanent water use regulations in place, visit www.capetown.gov.za/savewater
With dam levels dropping at this rate we must all play our part to conserve water, while we still have it.
