The monthly update of the Cape Town water map shows that 219 000 households have now achieved the coveted dark green dot for their water saving efforts.

The number of households who are using 6 000 litres or less per month at the moment has increased by nearly 8% compared with household water saving data for February.

This shows a steady decrease in water usage since December 2017.

The water map marks residential properties with low water use with green dots.

‘We are hoping that this tool increasingly encourages more households to live the 50-litre life. As we do not know how much winter rainfall we will get or when it will happen, we really must stretch the water that we have left in our dams.

‘In addition, the National Department of Water and Sanitation requires that we reduce our water usage to 450 million litres per day. There is a real threat that if we cannot lower usage further, then even tougher restrictions could be imposed by the national department. In addition, we have always maintained that we need to get to 450 million litres per day to ensure that we keep Day Zero away.

‘We are encouraged by our latest average consumption figures which show that we have achieved the second lowest usage yet at 507 million litres per day. And with the latest water map data, as a city, we are confident that our water users will continue to paint the city green,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Informal Settlements, Water and Waste Services; and Energy, Councillor Xanthea Limberg.

Visit www.capetown.gov.za/watermap to view the latest map.

Consumption is indicated on the map as follows:

• Dark green dot: household using less than 6 000 litres per month
• Light green dot: household using between 6 000 and 10 500 litres per month
• Grey dot with small dark green centre: estimated water meter reading of less than 6 000 litres per month
• Grey dot with small light green centre: estimated water meter reading of less than 10 500 litres per month
• Solid grey dot: excluded property (including: sectional title property or group housing / undeveloped property / water use is zero / no available information for the property / estimated water meter reading of more than 10 500 litres per month)

Remember that the map simply indicates water consumption, not compliance with water restriction limits. Households with higher consumption may have many people living on the property, or may have an undetected water leak.

The map only shows consumption for free-standing houses, and not cluster housing, flats or other land uses. In addition, the map shows consumption information from meters read in March, and may include a portion of consumption from February depending on when your meter was read. This information is updated from the third week of the following month.

Please visit www.capetown.gov.za/thinkwater for all water-related information.

I love underdogs, people who have achieved extraordinary things against the odds.

I recently learnt that training a shelter dog can help young people develop confidence and build better lives for themselves. This is possible through The Underdog Project, an animal assisted therapy organisation based in Hout Bay. They bring together rescue dogs and at-risk children through a mix of animal-assisted-therapy and positive reinforcement dog training with the aim of creating a humane society.

This is a win-win as the dogs are stimulated, trained, de-stressed and learn to love the company of people and children – which means they’ll have a better chance of finding forever homes. Added to that, the children learn positive communication, self-esteem, conflict resolution and leadership, among other things – and have lots of fun in the process!

The ripple effect spreads through the community, as everyone who experiences Underdog becomes more conscious of treating all living things with respect and compassion.

The Underdog Project is a registered NPO & PBO based on the premises of DARG (Domestic Animal Rescue Group) who are a separate organisation and their close partners and friends.

They have been in operation since 2011 and were founded by Jenna da Silva Pinto. Over the years the project has grown from strength to strength and touched many lives. The kids come from local schools, children’s homes and other NGOs, but the positive impact is so evident that the organisation gets interest from all over the Western Cape. The dogs are all from DARG and 97% of the dogs in their programme find forever homes. The team follows up with all the dogs and kids who have been through the programme to ensure the positive impacts are long lived.

The Underdog Project is supported by the generosity of donors and the Hout Bay community but there are always things they need. At the moment, they are looking for a sponsor for lunches as many of the kids come after school with empty stomachs. They are looking for a simple meal like a sandwich and a drink for about 10 kids, 4 days a week. if you would like to make a donation, or if you’d like any further information on The Underdog Project, please contact mail@underdogproject.org or visit our website at www.underdogproject.org.