Cape Town is still reeling under the severe drought that has been devastating the country, and with minimal rain and a predicted dry rainy season coming up, water restrictions are still in place and are set to go from Level 3B to Level 4 imminently.
As far as anyone can remember, Level 4 Restrictions have never before been instituted, and this is not a good sign. The dam levels are currently at a mere 21.6%, and as the last 10% is unusable, it means there is a mere 11.6% of usable water left.
Unfortunately, the hot and dry weather means that people are still using too much water, and are still using council drinking water for everything, including watering the garden and washing their cars.
Authorities are encouraging all consumers to not wait for further restrictions but to use drinkable or municipal water only for essential purposes, and limit their use to 100l of water per person per day.
Planned Level 4 water restrictions look set to go ahead once ratified by a Cape Town City Council meeting on June 1.
Level 4 Water Restrictions means:
- No watering or irrigation with municipal drinking water allowed whatsoever;
- Individuals are encouraged to flush toilets manually with buckets using grey water, rain water or other non-drinking water;
- No washing of vehicles, trailers, or caravans, or boats using municipal water; the use of non-drinking water or waterless products in mandated;
- No topping of swimming pools at all, either manually or automatically;
- Individuals using boreholes or treated effluent water, spring water or well points are encouraged not to irrigate within 7 days after rainfall; and
- All exemptions granted under level 2 or level 3 restrictions are no longer applicable and have been revoked so individuals need to reapply.
Water response teams have been jacked up to deal with water leaks and response times should be improving, according to Xanthea Limberg, Mayco member for informal settlements, water and waste services.
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