With warmer weather on its way, the City is rolling out its More Summer campaign, urging everyone in Cape Town to be water-wise while continuing to enjoy their much-loved activities, from swimming to gardening, to daily routines such as showering and doing the dishes. This summer is expected to be longer, drier and hotter than usual, so we need to team up and make every drop count even more to protect our dam levels.

Also read: Water-Wise Gardening in Cape Town: Stodels Shares Summer Water-Saving Tips

Cape Town –Every water user in Cape Town, from residents, to businesses, government and visitors, all play a vital role in helping to keep our dams fuller for longer, and help it last until at least next winter, while rainfall remains unpredictable.

Current Water Status

• With a taste of summer, Cape Town’s water use recently spiked to 912 million litres a day. This is more than 52 million litres a day over our target.

• Current dam levels are 71,7%. On average, dam levels have been 15% lower compared to last year.

• Current City estimates are that consumption needs to drop by at least 10% at a household level in Cape Town throughout the upcoming summer season and into winter next year.

• The outcome of the National Department of Water and Sanitation’s annual operating assessment will determine whether water restrictions will be imposed on users of the Western Cape Water Supply System, including the City of Cape Town.

Being Water-Wise is at Our Fingertips

Summer is loading, and there’s no need for water savings to dampen the holiday vibes because using less water doesn’t mean less fun.

Proactive water savings in our daily actions and operations remain very important, along with ongoing City water saving initiatives, to help us keep our dams fuller for longer, while we navigate a summer that is expected to be hotter, longer and drier this year. 

Last year, dam levels dropped by about 40% over summer. Let’s change that trajectory this year and show each other that we can still have more summer fun with less water. This is our city, our water and we are going to look after our supply together. 

Top 10 Ways to Be Water-Wise This Summer

Some 70% of water used in high volumes is used at home, according to consumption statistics.

Indoors

1.               Don’t flush in a rush. Only flush when necessary and do not use your toilet as a dustbin. New or replaced toilet cisterns may not exceed six litres for each flush.

2.               Take short, stop-start showers or small baths. The maximum flow rate of new and replaced showerheads may not exceed seven litres

3.               Wash more with less, for laundry and dishes. Wait for a full load before using washing machines and dishwashers. Hand washing and spot-cleaning can use less water.

4.               Turn off taps when not using the flow. E.g. Use a cup for shaving and brushing your teeth. 

Outdoors

5. Close the hose when washing the car. Hosepipes for washing vehicles must be fitted with a controlling device like a spray nozzle or automatic self-closing device. Stop-start your spray as you need it, and don’t spray more than you need. Alternatively, bucket-wash your car or vehicle.

Water Gardens Wisely

6. Stop-start and slow your spray. Use a nozzle restrictor or closing device. 

7. Beat the heat loss. Only water for a maximum of one hour, irrespective of method and only before 09:00 or after 18:00 to avoid evaporation losses.

8. Water down to the roots directly where possible.

Summer Splash

9. Keep summer fun water-wise. Supervise careful use of water for children’s play, and cooling in hot summer months. E.g. Use a wet cloth to cool down hot skin, and avoid wasteful spraying of water. 

10. Keep the pool full for longer with a cover. Built-in and fold-away pools must be covered to avoid evaporation when not in use. Recycle the backwash, and top up with rainwater or alternative water where possible. 

Did You Know?

Permanent regulations about water use in the City’s Water By-law are in place at all times, even when there are no water restrictions. Following these will help towards staying below the target of 860MLD collective use.

Source and References

https://www.capetown.gov.za/media-and-news/more-summer-fun-loading-with-less-water/

For More Information

·                  www.capetown.gov.za/savewater

·                  www.capetown.gov.za/waterregulations

City of Cape Town