Shooting from the lip

warming will make it worse, in future.

In the Western Cape: this is our reality. We should accept it.

This means we have to act, together, fast. To have enough water for us all.

In 2010, water restrictions kicked in, in some towns. The situation got worse in 2015, 2016.

In March, Cape Town declared a drought disaster. In May, the whole Western Cape.

Many people have made huge efforts, to use less water. We owe these people massive thanks. Now we all need to do more. Our drought is extremely serious.

First: Since Cape Town declared “Level 5” status, every person in the metro has to urgently cut their personal water usage to 87 litres per day, or less. This is our duty, to each other.

There are many ways to save water. There’s expert advice – simple, practical steps: How to use less water for toilets, washing, cleaning. How to find and fix leaks, use rainwater, recycle water. Look at capetown.gov.za/thinkwater

Every drop of tap water we don’t use today, stays in our dams. It’s essential to keep our dams as full as possible – to last our long summer.

Second: All 30 municipalities are taking urgent steps to guarantee future water supply. Managing water infrastructure, and trying to find new sources of water. Each municipality will need to keep us updated on their progress.

Third: Many businesses are leading the way. Successful “water-saving stories” can be read on greencape.co.za Inspiring “best practice” to implement everywhere.

Fourth: It’s essential to save water, to save our agriculture.

To save our food supply – and tens of thousands of jobs. If we fail to save enough water, for agriculture, the cost will be terrible.

All six million of us, across the Western Cape, need to drive down our water usage.

We need a common target, one message. Perhaps we should all strive for Madiba’s number: 67.

Let’s save every drop, in every home, every public place, every business. Let’s do this. Urgently. Together.