Cape Town to turn off taps
South Africa’s second largest city is at risk of running out of water within months.
Q What is the problem?
A Authorities call it “Day Zero” — currently projected to hit on April 12 — the date when Cape Town, a city of four million people, is expected to run out of water barring enough rainfall soon.
Q How did this happen?
A Politicians have bickered over alleged failures to offset a looming disaster blamed on explosive population growth over the last two decades and several years of drought that scientists say was possibly exacerbated by man-made global warming.
Q What is being done?:
A South Africa’s police and military will help secure water collection sites if authorities must turn off most taps on Day Zero, the city said Sunday. Hospitals, key economic and industrial areas and densely populated areas with a higher risk of disease would be exempt from a water cut-off, said municipal authorities, who plan to open a disaster operations centre on Monday. Residents can avoid Day Zero, slated for April 12, by each using no more than 50 litres daily until adequate rainfall fills up depleted reservoirs and additional supply from aquifers, desalination and recycling schemes is activated, according to the city.
Q: What if that doesn’t solve the problem?
A Security forces would guard 200 water collection points where residents can pick up 25 litres daily if the tap cut-off occurs, authorities said. Providers of bottled water are being encouraged to increase supply so people have the option of buying water, and water tankers would deliver to homes for the elderly and other care facilities.
Q What other impacts is the crisis having?
A This weekend, Cape Town’s water and sanitation department said it was investigating reports that some retailers might be illegally selling municipal tap water after people were seen lining up with empty bottles at two malls. Some residents are supplementing water supply by collecting from natural springs in the city. Meanwhile, tourism is taking a hit. Agencies have received cancellations from domestic and international travellers.