Reducing water consumption – Level 5

Since 1 July 2017, the City has been pushing to reduce water consumption to 500 million litres per day. We are currently using around 600 million litres per day. The winter rainfall season is coming to an end in the next few weeks and Capetonians are going to have to get used to using less water as we enter summer.

Water users must use less than 87 litres per person per day wherever they are in order to get us through summer. Domestic property usage is now set at 20 kl per month, beyond which the property owner will be subject to a fine which is expected to be in the region of R5 000 to R10 000.

Take a moment and check your estimated daily usage using the ThinkWater calculator, you’ll be surprised how much you use. A 2 minute shower and two flushes of the toilet can already use up to 38 litres of water. Placing a bucket in the shower to collect water and using that to flush the toilet is one sure way to bring down consumption.

Although the City has reduced water pressure, you can do your part by further reducing water flow on your property by adjusting the stopcock and adding water control fittings to taps. Make sure your pool has a cover and check for any leaking taps.

Here’s an interesting infographic based on the usage of 100 litres of water.

Water remains safe to drink and is tested in accordance with safety standards.