Water rationing has started in Cape Town… this is not a drill

We’re not quite sure how many time we still have to repeat just how dire the water situation is in Cape Town. But if you’re still not doing everything you can to save water, the City is going to start doing it for you.

Read: Cape Town water crisis: Why desalination can’t provide water overnight

Last week, the province announced a water contingency plan that sounds like something out of a horror movie, but this is the “new normal” and phase 1 of the plan is now being implemented.

Pre-selected suburbs can expect dry taps during peak hours. The city, however, did not reveal which suburbs will be cut, however, it’s probably safe to assume it will be those areas where the bulk of the water throttling meters have been installed.

Read: Cape Town water crisis: With drought, comes the horror of disease

The city’s mayoral committee member for water and waste services Xanthea Limberg advised affected residents to store five litres of water for essential use.

“The new normal requires us to adapt the way that we have been doing things, in all aspects of our lives,” said Limberg.

Richard Bosman, the city’s Executive Director of Safety and Security, explained that everyone will experience inconvenience in the hopes that Phases 2 and 3 of the plan aren’t needed.

“There may be short periods of limited to no water available to some neighbourhoods,” the city plan explains. “Water users will need to make alternative arrangements for water or store water for usage. It is advised that up to five litres of water is kept as emergency storage for essential usage in the event of intermittent supply.”

Citywide consumption saw a slight decline this week, dipping to 607 million litres per day, compared to 618 million the week before. However, the aim is to get to 500 million per day.

The dam levels, however, are still looking dismal has not tipped over the 40% mark yet. With the last of the rainy season coming and going, the summer is looking grim.

In September, more than 2 000 properties were identified as ‘flagrant users’ and the city started installing devices to limit excessive users to 350l a day.

Cape Town also offers an online tool to help people understand how much water their daily tasks use. The calculator is available here.

Have you been affected by water rationing? E-mail us: editor@thesouthafrican.com