Overall dam levels increase to 29.8%
CAPE Town’s collective consumption over the past week was 529 million litres of water per day, up from an average of 505 million litres in the previous week.
Dam levels have increased solidly by 5.8% as a result of the good rainfall received, especially in the catchment areas. Overall levels are now at 29.8%.
The 216.3mm of rainfall that was received last month was close to the long-term average for May, and higher than what was received at the same time last year.
This rainfall, together with ongoing water-saving efforts by Capetonians and the City’s pressure management initiatives, were helping to stretch the water resources in dams.
The City’s pressure management programme was now achieving savings of 62 million litres of water per day by lowering pressure across the metro. Not only did pressure management generally lower consumption, it also reduced leaks and pipe bursts by ensuring that pressure remained within levels that the pipework could tolerate.
“We are fortunate in Cape Town to have a strong partnership between water users and the City that will continue to get us through tough times. I would like to thank our residents and the professional, highly skilled officials who have been working incredibly hard to help us navigate the drought,” said deputy mayor Ian Neilson. “Our pressure management programmes are testament to the skills and dedication on the ground.”
Neilson added the City had been expanding its rollout of pressure testing with the aim of implementing more automated pressure zones.
“By creating these zones, which we have been doing for many years, the City is able to adjust water pressure remotely and work more efficiently,” Neilson said.
“We know that sometimes pressure management will lead to some level of discomfort for certain areas or households, but this is a key initiative to ensure that we continue to use as little water as possible and lower our water usage to 450 million litres per day.
“The latter remains a requirement by the National Department of Water and Sanitation and equates to 50 litres of water per person per day. We ask our water users to keep going strong and not to be tempted to relax their efforts in winter.” – Staff Reporter
To report persistent low water pressure, or supply disruptions, email water@capetown.gov.za, call 0860 103 089, WhatsApp 063 407 3699 or SMS 31373.