The City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee has approved the step up to Level 2 water restrictions in Cape Town. This item will now go before Council for deliberation at the next meeting on 10 December 2015.

The City imposes Level 1 restrictions (10% water savings) at all times, due to the water scarce nature of the region.

Because the City’s dam levels are approximately 15% lower than the norm for this time of year, it was proposed that the City implement Level 2 restrictions (20% savings) to preserve the long-term sustainability of the resource.

The city says customers should note that if this item is passed by Council, they will be charged according to a tariff designed to be revenue-neutral when applied to the 10% reduced consumption levels.

In other words, if the customer reduces their consumption by 10%, their bill should remain at a similar rand value. Please note that indigent customers’ free allocation will not be affected, nor will the free first 6 kl a month for all residents.

Furthermore, if passed by Council, residents will have to abide by the following, more stringent regulations:

• No watering (e.g. using buckets) of a garden, sports field, or other grassed area using potable water between 09:00 and 16:00. Facilities/customers making use of boreholes or other alternative sources are not exempt
• No watering (e.g. using buckets) will be permitted within 24 hours of rainfall that provides adequate saturation. Facilities/customers making use of boreholes or other alternative sources are not exempt
• Irrigation (e.g. hose pipe/sprinklers) is only to take place on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays during approved hours, and for no longer than an hour in total. Facilities/customers making use of boreholes or other alternative sources are not exempt
• If alternative water sources are utilised, customers should ensure that they display signage to this effect clearly visible from a public thoroughfare

For a full list of regulations click here.