Cape Town enjoys a long summer from mid-October to March with temperatures varying between the mid-20s and mid-30s and little rain during the period. This is also a time when the province sees a drop in dam levels that serve Cape Town and the surrounding areas. Thus, in order to save water, the City of Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Department is appealing to all residents to adhere to the specified times for watering gardens, lawns and plants in order to prevent water wastage.
“Cape Town is one of the water scarce areas in South Africa and residents are encouraged to always conserve water. Sticking to the prescribed times is a good conservation measure as evaporation is minimal at night and in the early morning. Residents should note that action can be taken against them for non-compliance with the prescribed watering times,” says the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Utility Services, Councillor Ernest Sonnenberg.
The City’s dam levels are currently at 72,9% and, while this is not cause for concern at this stage, the City appeals to residents to use water sparingly.
“During the hot and dry summer months, plants use more water and there is a high level of evaporation. We appreciate that irrigation of plants, gardens, lawns, parks, trees, open spaces, road verges and centre islands is necessary for maintaining the natural beauty of our city, but it must be borne in mind that [according to the City’s by-laws] watering is only allowed before 10:00 in the morning and after 16:00 in the afternoon on any day of the week,” says Councillor Sonnenberg.
Residents are advised that all hosepipes used for washing vehicles must have an automatic self-closing nozzle fitted.
Although exempt from the watering time stipulations, users of borehole and wellpoint water are encouraged to only water their gardens during the stipulated watering times according to the City’s by-laws. Residents who use borehole or wellpoint water must register or re-register their boreholes and wellpoints with the City. A new sign and certificate of appreciation will be provided to those who register new and re-register existing boreholes and wellpoints, which must be displayed prominently. Full details on borehole and wellpoint registration are available on the City’s website.
The City’s Water Saving Campaign encourages residents to make a personal commitment to saving water by downloading the Water Ambassador Pledge that is available on the new campaign website at www.capetown.gov.za/keepsavingwater. The pledge places a responsibility on all water users to use water responsibly and report water wastage.
“We are grateful to those residents, businesses and communities who adhere to the watering times and are equally thankful to those who report water wastage and watering outside the stipulated hours. Water is a precious and limited resource. Let’s all keep saving water while we can,” says Councillor Sonnenberg.
The monitoring and enforcement of the City’s water by-laws will intensify during the Water Week celebrations in March, with a particular focus on adherence to watering times.
