Online tool to help monitor dam levels

PIOTR WOLSKI of the Climate Systems Analysis Group (CSAG) at the University of Cape Town (UCT) has produced an online tool, the Big Six Monitor, which allows people to monitor the current and projected state of Western Cape dams.

“The Big Six Monitor shows the amount of water in the major Western Cape Water Supply System (WCWSS) dams currently and in the recent past.

“It also shows the storage in the dams projected for the period between now (day for which the most recent data for dam storage are available) and June 2018,” he said.

Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille said that to keep essential services and vital industry running, the City has calculated that at 13.5% dam storage, the City will turn off almost all taps – dubbed Day Zero.

“The City is also doing its bit. As we bring additional supply online from February onwards with more new water coming online in the months thereafter, Day Zero will be pushed further.

“We have already brought additional water from the Molteno Reservoir in Oranjezicht and the Atlantis Aquifer, with two million and five million litres per day from these sources respectively,” she said.

“Day Zero can be avoided. Capetonians have done amazing work to save water. If we don’t have everyone restricting their water consumption, we will reach Day Zero in May.”

Mayoral committee member for Informal Settlements, Water and Waste Services Xanthea Limberg said the City closely monitored levels of consumption of potable water, and it would issue warnings or fines for excessive use.