CPUT warns against abusing institutional water sources

CAPE Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) management has appealed to the public to report any individuals abusing institutional water by filling containers and taking them off its main campus in Bellville.

In a statement, the university’s executive management said it had been brought to their attention that people had been abusing the institution’s water resources.

“CPUT is subject to the same stringent water restrictions as the rest of the city and we urge anyone who notices this behaviour to kindly report them to security,” the executive said.

University spokesperson Derek Stocken said there had been isolated incidents of CPUT community members filling up domestic containers and taking them off the Bellville campus.

“We need to emphasise that there is no widespread or large-scale theft of water at the institution, and these isolated incidents have not warranted any additional security measures, other than the normal campus security we have in place.

“We sent out a proactive internal communique to make our community aware that filling up a container at a place other than at your home does not constitute water saving,” Stocken said.

He encouraged the CPUT community to save water wherever possible.

This week, the City said water consumption was slightly higher, but dam levels remained the same.

Cape Town’s average water usage is 519 million litres a day.

This is 14 million litres a day more than the previous week’s record low of 505 million litres. Water inflow into the dams has largely balanced water usage. Dam levels remain at 20.9%.

Acting mayor Ian Neilson said: “The reasons for the small increase in consumption are not definitive, but it is possible that the warm, sunny days that were experienced last week influenced usage to an extent.

“Water consumption often fluctuates from day to day and this rise could therefore also be considered a normal change in usage. We will continue to monitor water usage closely.

“It remains imperative that we all continue our saving efforts to get to the required target of 450 million litres a day.”

Neilson said weather conditions should have no bearing on water usage.