Water Usage Rises, Dam Levels Fall

Cape Town’s water usage nears 100 million litres over daily targets. The City is working via Council processes to implement more stringent Level 3 water restrictions. Collective consumption for the week ending 15 January 2017 is up to 890 million litres per day. This is 90 million litres per day above targeted levels.

According to the City of Cape Town’s latest information, the dam levels are at 42,5 %. More stringent conditions on the use of potable water for watering gardens could be implemented. The City is also in the process of identifying properties with excessive water use. The City will target these customers for inspections and water usage enforcement.

‘If current consumption continues, the City expects that dam levels could be at a level of approximately 20% by the start of winter. This leaves a very low margin of safety as it is difficult to extract the last 10% of a dam’s volume. We do not expect to run out of water before the next rainy season but constant water usage above the target of 800 million litres per day of collective use, as has been the case, is not sustainable. We have the ability now to turn this situation around. And we will only be able to do this if water use is reduced and members of the public help us to do so.’ said Councillor Limberg.

It is crucial that those who waste water are held accountable, and key to this is residents reporting contraventions. Residents should report water wastage via email to water.restrictions@capetown.gov.za

Source: http://www.capetown.gov.za/media-and-news/Water%20use%20climbs%20again