Cape Town’s Day Zero brought forward

As Cape Town suffers its worst drought in a century, residents have been warned that they face losing piped water to their homes on April 12 — nine days earlier than predicted.

If drastic consumption reductions are not achieved by Day Zero, people will have to queue at 200 water distribution points for daily rations of 25l.

The city has enforced strict waste controls including prosecution of home owners who use more than the 50l daily limit.

A typical shower uses 15l per minute, while a standard toilet consumes 15l per flush, according to Water Wise, a South African awareness campaign.

“Due to a drop in the dam levels of 1.4%, Day Zero has, as of today, moved forward to April 12,” deputy mayor Ian Neilson said in a statement.

NORMAL WATER SUPPLY

Every day that consumption exceeds 500-million litres, Day Zero — the last day of normal water supply — draws closer.

“It is still possible to push back Day Zero if we all stand together now and change our current path,” he said.

The previous forecast for Day Zero was April 21. That date was set on January 16, bringing forward by one day a previous prediction of April 22.

Earlier in 2017, the city published a name-and-shame list of the worst water offenders in Cape Town and says it is issuing fines for the heaviest users.

But city officials have been criticised for failing to implement usage restrictions sooner, and accused of ignoring warnings by experts in the years before the drought.

Strong summer rains have resulted in much of southern Africa recovering from a drought induced by the El Nino weather phenomenon.

However, Cape Town receives most of its rain in winter — and scientists warn there is no guarantee of a good rainy season.