There has been a significant increase in the total capacity of dams supplying the Cape Town metro by 1% in the last week, from 74.5% the previous week to 75.5% yesterday. Daily water consumption for the same period remained at 728 million litres per day, as the week before. At the same time last year, dam levels were at 55%. Although water restrictions were lifted from 1 November 2020, the following regulations in the City’s Water By-law are in effect at all times:
Read: DWS Condemns Shutdown of Access to Water Infrastructure
Outdoor water use and groundwater
- Watering only allowed before 09:00 or after 18:00 (to avoid evaporation losses in the heat of the day). This applies to watering with municipal drinking water, and is also recommended for alternative water e.g. borehole and well-point water.
- Automated sprinkler systems (where permitted) must be able to be correctly positioned and be able to be adjusted to prevent water wastage.
- Hosepipes used for watering or washing vehicles, boats and caravans (when permitted) 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 unauthorized use.
- The City recommends that alternative water sources like boreholes and well-point water be used sparingly and efficiently.
Efficiency of taps, toilets and showers
- The maximum flow rate of new and replaced shower heads may not exceed seven litres per minute.
- The maximum flow rate of any tap installed at a washbasin may not exceed six litres per minute.
- New or replaced toilet cisterns may not exceed six litres in capacity.
- Basins and showers provided at public facilities must be fitted with demand-type taps.
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.
Car washes
- Commercial car wash industries must comply with industry best-practice norms regarding water usage per car washed (e.g. 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.
