With prolonged high stages of load-shedding anticipated this summer, residents are implored to be water-wise at all times, especially during blackouts.
The City of Cape Town has set a maximum limit for locals’ collective water use to be no more than 850 million litres per day. This is to help maintain the supply during extended power outages, which is affecting water supply operations.
“While City teams are monitoring the water-supply operations and usage very closely, and doing all they can to maintain supply, we also need our residents to help us at this time by using less water,” urged Councillor Siseko Mbandezi, Acting Mayoral Committee member for Water and Sanitation.
“Using less water will help deal with operational challenges, notably due to heavy load shedding and summer weather conditions, which are impacting our water-treatment plants and ability to convey water to reservoirs and areas across Cape Town, especially to high-lying areas where the water has to be pumped.”
He further implored locals to play their part by being conscientiously water savvy, fixing leaks and following permanent water saving regulations.
The following regulations in the City’s water bylaw are in place at all times, even though water restrictions were lifted on 1 November 2020:Swimming pools . All swimming pools must be covered by a pool cover to avoid evaporation when not in use.. Automatic top-up systems using a float valve fed from a municipal drinking water source to supply swimming pools and garden ponds are not allowed.Outdoor water use and groundwater . Watering allowed only before 09:00 or after 18:00. This applies to watering with municipal drinking water and is recommended for alternative water supply, eg borehole and well-point water.. Automated sprinkler systems must be correctly positioned and adjusted to prevent water wastage. . Hosepipes for watering or washing vehicles, boats and so on must be fitted with a controlling device, such as a spray nozzle or automatic self-closing device. . No hosing down of hard-surfaced or paved areas with municipal drinking water allowed. Water users, such as abattoirs, food processing industries, care facilities, animal shelters and other industries or facilities with special needs (health/safety related only) must apply for exemption. . Outdoor taps, except those on residential properties, must be secured to prevent unauthorised use. . Alternative water sources, such as bore-holes and well-point water, should be used sparingly and efficiently.
Efficiency of taps, toilets and showers
. The maximum flow rate of shower heads may not exceed 7F per minute.. The maximum flow rate of any tap installed at a wash basin may not exceed 6F per minute. . New or replaced toilet cisterns may not exceed 6F in capacity. . Basins and showers at public facilities must be fitted with demand-type taps.Car washes . Commercial car wash industries must comply with industry best-practice norms regarding water usage per car washed (eg recycling and re-using a minimum of 50% of the water used).
Construction sites
. Municipal drinking water may not be used to dampen building sand and other building material to prevent it from being blown away.
Leaks
. Check your water fittings and pipes regularly for leaks.
