Higher, prolonged stages of load-shedding are affecting Cape Town’s water supply operations due to factors beyond the City’s control, despite the City’s contingency measures. Using less water will help this situation.

The City of Cape Town is calling on everyone – including residents and businesses- to temporarily reduce our collective daily water use to 850 million litres. This will help us with the increasingly negative impact that heavy load-shedding is placing on the reliability of our water supply, in this very challenging operational context.

Higher, prolonged stages of load-shedding and weather conditions are currently causing several operational challenges for water supply:

The extent to which water treatment plants can sustain production. Water treatment plants (WTP) purify water from dams before it comes out of our taps. They are equipped with standby generators to ensure that clean drinking water can continue to be provided in the event of load-shedding. However, due to frequent power surges and dips, for example, the Voelvlei WTP was temporarily shut down this past weekend and had to rely on water stored in our reservoirs for emergency purposes to help meet the usage demand. Spare supply in reservoirs can run low fairly fast during load-shedding and hot conditions when residents tend to use more water.
The extent to which pump stations are able to move water through the supply network to reservoirs and areas across the City. Heavy load-shedding prevents the City from filling up reservoirs as quickly as may be required. Some higher-lying areas may experience low pressure or supply disruptions in the event of power outages affecting the booster water pump stations, which are required in some areas to convey water to the reservoirs supplying the higher lying areas across the city.
It must be made clear that the City’s tap water remains safe to drink and there is not a water shortage issue as our dams are currently over 70% full. While there is ample water in our dams, we need to ensure treated drinking water can be supplied sustainably throughout load-shedding, especially during higher stages.

‘The City is dealing with multiple challenges impacting on its ability to produce and supply drinking water to meet the summer demand. All of us can help and are encouraged to reduce demand to relieve the pressure on the water treatment plants, and our supply network. The only way to help manage the resources we do have is for all users to be water wise,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Siseko Mbandezi.

Should residents in high-lying areas – particularly in the northern and southern parts of the city – experience low pressure, this could likely be due to the impact of load-shedding. However, if the problem persists for more than four hours, residents are advised to contact the City on the following channels: WhatsApp 060 018 1505, email water@capetown.gov.za or call 0860 103 089. Alternatively, follow the City’s Twitter account @CityofCTAlerts for operational updates.

‘Should the level of load-shedding increase, and water usage not reduce, the City may be forced to implement water restrictions to curtail demand to ensure there is enough water production capacity and storage in the bulk water supply reservoirs. We are in this together, so let’s all do what we can to reduce our water use so we can continue to enjoy a reliable water supply,’ said Councillor Mbandezi.

What can residents do:
1. Do the right thing to use less water. Wise outdoor water use, fixing leaks and complying with permanent regulations are key ways to save.

These are some of the regulations that are in place at all times:
 Hosepipes used for watering or washing vehicles, boats and caravans (when permitted) must be fitted with a controlling device such as a spray nozzle or automatic self-closing device.
 Watering is only allowed before 09:00 or after 18:00 (to avoid evaporation losses in the heat of the day). This applies to watering/ irrigation with municipal drinking water, and is also recommended for alternative water e.g. borehole and well-point water.
 All swimming pools must be covered by a pool cover to avoid evaporation when not in use.

2. Only flush toilets and do washing when really necessary. This will also help reduce pressure on the sewer network and wastewater treatment works.

For more ways to save water, visit: http://www.capetown.gov.za/savewater

3. Log water and sanitation service requests
Report burst pipes, leaks and water wastage using one of the following channels (Please provide the street address, and get a reference number):
1. WhatsApp 060 018 1505
2. Online: www.capetown.gov.za/servicerequests
3. Email water@capetown.gov.za
4. SMS 31373 (maximum 160 characters. Standard rates apply)
5. Call 0860 103 089
6. Visit a City walk-in centre (see www.capetown.gov.za/facilities to find the one closest to you)

Please note: This call to action linked to operational challenges due to load-shedding is separate to Cape Town setting a proactive water savings limit for summer, but all saving efforts are encouraged as they are beneficial at this stage. See https://bit.ly/3PiqJpE.

Source: City Of Cape Town