Cape Town calls for 10% reduction in water consumption
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Bizcommunity
The City of Cape Town is asking residents and businesses to reduce water consumption by at least 10% during summer, as usage reaches 912 million litres a day. Dam levels are at 71.7%, 15% lower than a year ago, according to the municipality.
The City of Cape Town is asking households to reduce their water consumption by at least 10% during the coming summer and until next winter, amid a recent rise in consumption to 912 million litres a day. The municipality is targeting collective consumption of 860 million litres a day, meaning usage is more than 52 million litres above that level, according to Bizcommunity, citing the City of Cape Town.
Dam levels currently stand at 71.7%, an average of 15% lower than at the same time last year. The city says around 70% of the large volumes of water consumed come from households, prompting it to launch the More Summer campaign to encourage water savings, Bizcommunity reports.
Possible water restrictions will depend on the national Department of Water and Sanitation’s annual assessment of the operation of the Western Cape’s water supply system. In the meantime, the municipality recommends, among other measures, shortening showers, running washing machines and dishwashers only with full loads, and watering gardens before 9am or after 6pm, according to Bizcommunity.
