Day Zero pushed back to June 4

THE CITY of Cape Town has announced that Day Zero has been put back to June 4.

This was a result of the decline in agricultural use, and of residents reducing their water use.

Over the past week, the consumption has decreased to 526 million litres a day, which is below the 550 million litres average use.

Latest dam levels have been recorded at 24.9% compared to 36.1% last year and 43.3% in 2016.

“Though the dam levels are much lower than a year ago, we have more information and more control over the system that supplies water to the city,” said Deputy Mayor Ian Neilson.

“Our continued interactions with the National Department of Water and Sanitation have led to much improved data-sharing and analysis, allowing for more reliable modelling and dramatically improved control over dam levels.”

Neilson said that the City would continue to implement pressure management to reduce use and install water management devices at high water users.

“It is absolutely clear that when we need to pull together in this city, we can do so. We continue to work as a team to lower our consumption to 450 million litres a day as required,” he added.

Meanwhile, Agri Western Cape has accused the deputy mayor of misleading the public.

Agri Western Cape chief executive Carl Opperman said Day Zero had not moved back, as agriculture’s water allocations were depleted. “Agriculture’s water allocation has been curtailed by between 60% and 83%.”