City’s water woes continue – no end in sight

RESIDENTS will have to do more to save as the City’s water woes continue. Dam storage levels are currently at 31.1%, with approximately 21.1% usable water left. The collective consumption for the past week was 610 million litres a day.

This is 110 million litres above the target of 500 million a day. The City has advised residents to adjust their stopcocks to reduce the flow of water to their property. A stopcock valve looks like the top part of a typical garden tap. It is the control. Usually the stopcock is installed on the property between 1 and 1.5m from the boundary.

The City also encouraged all residents to hold each other accountable when it comes to water wastage and report any contraventions of the restrictions.

Pressure adjustments on bulk supply lines have helped reduce consumption over recent months. The City hopes for further reductions if residents can reduce flow through the private side isolating valve. From this week, the city will reduce the water pressure in its reticulation network to around 2 bars at the critical control points.

Further details of the City’s Water Resilience Plan will be announced by mayor Patricia de Lille on Thursday.

“We continue to approach this unprecedented drought crisis in a proactive and innovative manner, via four main focus areas: promoting increased water conservation through restrictions; campaigns to encourage behavioural change; pressure management; restriction of supply to excessive users; procurement of emergency supply schemes; preparation for a day-zero actuality; and building medium and long-term resilience .” The City’s mayoral committee member for Informal Settlements, Water and Waste Services and Energy, Xanthea Limberg, said:

“There is no single solution to this drought crisis..”

The supplied water remains safe to drink. Residents can contact the City via e-mail at water@capetown.gov.za or SMS 31373. –