The City of Cape Town has decided to limit its residents to using 50 litres of water per person per day for the next 150 days, as “Day Zero” draws closer.

The city took the decision after residents failed to cooperate and reduce their consumption. The new level 6B restrictions will come into effect on 1 February 2018.

“We have reached a point of no return. Despite our urging for months, 60% of Capetonians are callously using more than 87 litres per day. It is quite unbelievable that a majority of people do not seem to care and are sending all of us headlong towards Day Zero,” said City of Cape Town Mayor Patricia De Lille.

Delaying day zero

Day Zero is the day when taps will be closed and residents will be required to get water from various designated water collection points.

“The new daily collective consumption target is now 450 million litres per day. This will be in place for 150 days after which the city will reassess the situation. Level 6B restrictions will also limit irrigation using boreholes and well points,” said Mayor De Lille.

The Mayor said the city has had to assume that high water users will not change their behaviour and therefore implement stringent measures to delay the chance of reaching Day Zero on 21 April 2018.

A punitive tariff

She said Council will on Friday be voting on implementing a punitive tariff that will charge residents exponentially higher rates for water usage above 6 000 litres per month.

“I will personally fight to ensure that the proposed punitive tariff exempts those who are using less than 6 000 litres per month,” said the Mayor.

Provision will be made for households larger than four people to ensure that they are not unfairly penalised. Residents can contact the city beforehand on water@capetown.gov.za or enquire at their nearest walk-in centre.