Cape Town dam levels have indicated an increase this week. The total capacity of dams supplying the Cape Town metro increased by a whopping 13,8% in the last week, from 75,4% the previous week to 89,2%. Daily water consumption for the same period increased to 729 million litres per day, compared to 706 million litres the week before. At the same time last year, dam levels were at 63,5%.
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:
Outdoor water use and ground water
- Watering is 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 unauthorised use.
- The City recommends that alternative water sources like boreholes and well-point water be used sparingly and efficiently.
Read: Dam levels in KZN continue on a Weekly Marginal Decline
Efficiency of taps, toilets and showers
- The maximum flow rate of new and replaced showerheads 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. Residents can learn how to do so here.
For more information on new water sources, guidelines around alternative water sources such as boreholes and rainwater tanks, as well as tariff information, please visit http://www.capetown.gov.za/thinkwater
More information about the City’s Water Strategy can be found here: http://www.capetown.gov.za/general/cape-town-water-strategy
