Residents urged to act as CoCT issues early drought warning

As dam levels fall, the City of Cape Town says the next three months will be critical for determining whether water restrictions will be required later this year.

The combined dam storage sits at just over 55%, approximately 18% lower than the same period last year.

“Our dam levels are reducing at about 2% week on week, and we are already estimating that by May our dam levels will be at about 40%,” said Dr Zahid Badroodien, Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation.

The City has already taken proactive measures to address the issue, including a billion-rand pipe replacement programme and water inspectors who detect and repair leaks.

It is also investing in water reuse schemes and desalination to diversify its water resources.

Residents are reminded to take action and help make a difference by reducing their water usage by at least 10%.

“We can prevent restrictions as far as possible, but it does require that we all pull together now again as we did with our previous drought and reduce water usage by at least 10%.

“About 70% of the water that we are using in our city happens in our homes, so daily changes within our homes may be able to allow us an opportunity to avoid restrictions, come November, or earlier, depending on the rains that we may or may not get.”

To listen to Badroodien in conversation with Jacob Moshokoa (in for 702 and CapeTalk’s Africa Melane), use the audio player below: