Water crisis makes billboards light up

COMMUTERS have been forced to face the fact head-on: there’s only enough water for 135 days.

The City has programmed water consumption rates to reflect on electronic freeway sign boards on highways, which indicate how much water the metro has left.

This went live at the weekend.

Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille is today expected to publicise the street names of the top 100 highest consumers in domestic, commercial, and government categories.

The City will also publish the lists of fines issued in various areas where contraventions take place, including street names but without street numbers.

Mayco member for Water and Waste Services, Xanthea Limberg, said if people use about 40% less water every day, compared with what they usually do during unrestricted times, there would be water for only 135 days.

Dam levels are currently at 26.2%.

“This message on the signboards is the latest in our myriad attempts to literally drive the message home that we need to reduce consumption now. It’s the best contingency measure we have,” Limberg said.

Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning MEC Anton Bredell said options to increase water supply in the province over the medium to long term include fast-tracking the development of the Table Mountain Group Aquifer; and seawater desalination.

Eden and Overberg districts have enough water for up to six months;

In the Central Karoo, all towns depend either solely or partially on borehole-water;

On the West Coast water restrictions have been implemented, with the Clanwilliam dam around 45 percent full.

Cape Winelands municipalities are applying the same water restrictions as the City of Cape Town.