Cape Town tightens the taps on water users and abusers

With just 100 days of water left‚ the gloves are off in Cape Town.

Tougher water restrictions that will go to the City of Cape Town for approval next week will take effect on February 1. They will mean:

- Watering gardens with tap water will be allowed only on Tuesdays and Saturdays before 9am and after 6pm for a maximum of one hour a day‚ and only if using a bucket or watering can;

- No watering will be allowed within 48 hours of rainfall that provides adequate saturation; and

 - Washing of vehicles or boats using tap water will be banned.

Mayoral committee member for water Xanthea Limberg said Cape Town’s top 20‚000 residential water users would be targeted for sanctions.

“We are committed to bringing this group to book. They are scuppering all of our efforts to bring down water usage‚” said Limberg.

“We must remember that formal residential consumers are by far the biggest users of potable water in the municipality‚ consuming approximately 70% of total water supplied.

“Within the next week‚ we plan to conduct increased door-to-door visits‚ issue more fines where applicable‚ and focus strongly on education and awareness.”

Limberg said the city council was reviewing all exceptions granted under the previous water restrictions.

“Customers should note that water pressure may be reduced to limit water leaks and that slight changes in water taste and clarity may occur due to low dam levels‚” she said.

TMG Digital