CoCT Council approves intensified water restrictions

The implementation of tougher water restrictions from 1 February 2017 has been approved by the City of Cape Town's Council. Under Level 3b restrictions, the use of potable water, among others, for non-essential use will be further restricted.

The heightened restrictions come as a result of the severe drought that is being experienced and the repeated failure to reach the intended water savings target of 800-million litres of collective water use per day. As at 23 January 2017, the average consumption was 80-million litres above this target and dam levels had dropped to 40.4%. It must be borne in mind that it is very difficult to extract the remaining 10% of a dam’s capacity.

Long road to recovery

The National Department of Water and Sanitation, in its statement of 6 January 2017, pointed out that the South African Weather Service had predicted a reduced likelihood of chances of above normal rainfall country-wide between January and April 2017. They implied a dam level recovery rate of beyond three years. Therefore, unless there is a rapid and significant change to rainfall patterns, there is still a long road to recovery and that we face the possibility of yet another ‘not-so-wet’ winter, they reported.

The approval of the 3b fine schedule by the Magistrates’ Court is expected to be in place shortly. A higher amount for spot fines of R5,000 has been proposed as part of the fine schedule.

Under Level 3b restrictions:

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 9am or after 6pm 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 at residential/business/industrial properties. Vehicles and boats must be washed with non-potable water or washed at a commercial carwash.
No irrigation using potable water will be permitted at city facilities.
No increase of the indigent water allocation over and above the free 350-litres a day will be granted, unless through prior application and permission.

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.

Enforcement blitzes

Regular enforcement blitzes will remain in place and the city ia also getting ready to target the highest 20,000 water users in the metro. The majority of these high users are households in formal residential areas and have been identified as consuming 50-kilolitres per month. Prior to the water restrictions coming into effect, the average use per household used to be well under 1,000-litres per day or below about 30-kilolitres per month.

Residents can contact the city via email to az.vog.nwotepac@snoitcirtser.retaw for queries or to report contraventions (evidence should be provided to assist the city’s enforcement efforts).

For further information, go to www.capetown.gov.za/thinkwater.