Concerns over Cape Town’s long-term water security

Cape Town’s long-term water security could come under increasing pressure, as consumption continues to rise and climate projections indicate lower rainfall in the future.

Applied Climatologist Dr Peter Johnston is calling for a more active strategy, following the city’s early drought detection in October.

Current water use has already exceeded the projected eight hundred and 50 million litres a day.

Johnston said that residents and businesses need to conduct a lifestyle audit to identify ways to reduce consumption.

"I think is important is to actually do an audit of the city, of the businesses, of our own houses. But if we do an audit and see, then we can do the last thing, which i think is adjustments, and adjust our lifestyle, adjust the way we have installed swimming pools, the way we treat our swimming pools, the way we plant gardens."

Johnston added that Cape Town is just one poor rainfall season away from another “Day Zero,” with dam levels potentially dropping to 30 percent by April next year.

"So we're looking at around 30 percent. And that is getting very close to critical levels. So, you know, the city will definitely introduce some sort of level of water restrictions. And, of course, we'll be encouraged to use a lot less. And we'll be alarmed. It's called the hydro-illogical cycle."