Drought Crisis – Dam Levels Decline

Despite the recent rain, the City is urging residents to maintain saving water. With the last 10% of a dam’s water mostly not being useable, dam levels are effectively at 12,3%. The new consumption target is 600 million litres, we are currently using 680 million litres.

The City is continuing with extensive pressure reduction programmes to reduce the flow of water. The regulation of supply is under way in the central, southern and eastern suburbs and within the next week it will be expanded to the northern suburbs.

Consumers should not be alarmed if they experience very low pressure or if the supply in their area drops away as it will only be temporary until the balance is achieved.

‘Our water users continue to respond to the unpredictable climatic conditions by using more water as soon as it heats up, but seemingly also when there is rain. This approach is exacerbating the effects of the enduring and severe drought. Such phenomena are expected to become more frequent as a result of the impact of climate change. In addition, the severity and scale of drought episodes is increasingly difficult to predict. Our relationship with water therefore must start to change – this relationship is something that we can control. Our water-saving efforts cannot be influenced by whether it is hot or cold. We need to save water irrespective of the weather,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Informal Settlements, Water and Waste Services; and Energy, Councillor Xanthea Limberg.

Click here for more information – www.capetown.gov.za/thinkwater