As such, the City’s Water and Sanitation Department has developed a bumper programme of activities and events to celebrate our most precious resource throughout the month. The City’s slogan during Water Month is ‘Keep Saving Water’, in support of the national theme: ‘Water is life – respect it, conserve it, enjoy it’.
“Water remains our most precious and necessary resource. As such, it is critical that all communities around the city join us in raising awareness of the importance of saving water. If we all play our part, we can reach our objectives of preserving and conserving Cape Town’s water supply,” said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Utility Services, Councillor Ernest Sonnenberg.
The key focus areas for this year’s programme are as follows:
- Educating and assisting informal car washes in preventing water wastage
- Educating all water consumers about watering times as stipulated in the Water By-law
- Reducing water consumption in areas where water usage is high
- Restriction and reporting of water wastage and identification and repair of water leaks, which contribute to major water wastage in households.
A number of events have been planned in collaboration with external stakeholders and partners including the National Department of Water Affairs, Transnet, Metroclean SA and other City Departments (City Parks; Library and Information Services). Some of these events are:
- Awareness drive for operators of informal car washes from 4 – 8 March 2013
- Green Week Expo from 18 – 20 and 22 March 2013 at the Bellville Library
- Water saving awareness interventions in various suburbs in Subcouncil 4 from 25 – 28 March 2013
In addition, the City is raising awareness of the Water and Sanitation Department’s new and innovative ‘Keep Saving Water’ website which offers a wealth of water-related information, including water saving tips, information on alternative water resources, downloadable water audits, and the option to become a Water Ambassador.
A detailed Water Month programme will be published on the website under the ‘What’s new’ tab.
Please visit www.capetown.gov.za/keepsavingwater for more information.
“The principle of ‘measure, monitor and manage’ is crucial in this exercise and our consumers need to know the value and impact on their daily lives to enable a successful culture shift towards water-wise lifestyles. We are therefore highlighting the many opportunities that the City avails for sharing knowledge in this sphere because we have to achieve our water-saving objectives together,” said Councillor Sonnenberg.
Residents are reminded to report leaks, pipe bursts, water wastage and water by-law contraventions to the City’s 24-hour hotline on 0860 103 089, via SMS to 31373 (maximum 160 characters), or via e-mail to waterTOC@capetown.gov.za
