This is due to a weekly drop in dam levels of 0.5% (as compared to a 1.9% drop in 2014). The lower rate of consumption is be attributed to the Groenland water reaching Steenbras Upper Dam last week and slightly increasing the dam level, as well as to a further reduction in Cape Town’s weekly average demand to 523 megalitres per day (MLD) compared to 1,130 MLD in 2014, explained Neilson.
"The Groenland water transfer and the reduction in our weekly average demand has had a dramatic impact on the Day Zero date, which is determined by assuming that the fortnightly trend of weekly dam storage change will continue unchanged. This precautionary outlook assumes no further rainfall and that water demand may not reduce over the next few months. It has been adopted to allow sufficient lead time for implementation of temporary water collection points in the event that these may be required," he said.
"We anticipate that Day Zero could move back into June again once the Groenland transfer has been completed, unless we are able to meet the 450 MLD collective water usage target. Therefore it is imperative that we reach this target to make it through to the winter rains."
The deputy mayor thanked the Groenland Water Users Farming Association for the water transfer, which he said has made a "considerable difference when we needed it most".
Level 6B water restrictions are currently in place, compelling residents to use no more than 50 litres per person per day.
