The City may implement Level 3b restrictions from Wednesday February 1 and warns it will take action against those whose water usage is “consistently above target”.
“We are committed to bringing this group to book. They are scuppering all of our efforts to bring down water usage,” said the Mayco member
for informal settlements, utilities and energy, Xanthea Limberg.
“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.
Ms Limberg said formal residential consumers are the biggest users of potable water, “by far”, using about 70 percent of total water supplied.
New restrictions, if adopted by council, will include the following:
Watering of flower beds, lawns, vegetables and other plants, sports fields, parks and other open spaces, with drinking water, will only be allowed on Tuesdays and Saturdays before 9am or after 6pm for a maximum of one hour a day per property and only if using a bucket or watering can.
No watering will be allowed within two days of rainfall that provides adequate saturation. Those making use of boreholes, treated effluent, spring water or wells are not exempt.
No washing of vehicles or boats using municipal drinking water will be allowed. Vehicles and boats must be washed with non-potable water or washed at a commercial carwash.
No washing of vehicles, including taxis, using municipal drinking water at transport interchanges will be allowed.
No irrigation using potable water will be allowed at City facilities.
There will be no increase of the indigent water allocation of free 350 litres a day, unless through prior application and permission for specific events such as burial ceremonies.
All exemptions granted under level 3 are being reviewed with the possibility of being revoked.
Current water users with exemptions under Level 3 must adhere to Level 3b irrigation days and times.
The City also advises that the restrictions are also applicable to borehole and well-point users, who are advised to also:
Avoid wastage and evaporation.
Register all boreholes or well-points with the City and signage must be displayed and be clearly visible.
Visit www.capetown.gov.za/thinkwater for more information or email restrictions@capetown.gov.za to report contraventions.
