Residents in Cape Town are being urged to use less water. File Picture
With meteorologists predicting a hotter, drier summer, the City of Cape Town has launched its “More Summer” campaign, urging residents, businesses, and tourists to curb consumption after daily usage spiked to 912 million litres—exceeding the municipal ceiling by over 52 million litres.
Current regional dam levels stand at 71.7%, tracking an average of 15% lower than the same period last year, when storage dropped by roughly 40% over the dry season.
The National Department of Water and Sanitation's upcoming annual operating assessment will determine whether mandatory restrictions must be imposed.
To safeguard supplies through next winter, city officials warn that households must cut usage by at least 10%.
Rather than dampening the festive season, city officials emphasise that preserving reserves is compatible with summer leisure.
Because residential properties account for nearly 70% of high-volume consumption, authorities have issued key water-wise directives:
Indoor conservation
Toilets: avoid flushing unnecessarily and never use toilets as dustbins. Newly installed or replacement cisterns must not exceed six litres per flush.
Bathing: keep showers brief using a stop-start method, or opt for shallow baths. Showerheads must have a maximum flow rate of seven litres per minute.
Appliances: run washing machines and dishwashers only with full loads; consider hand washing or spot-cleaning smaller items.
Taps: shut off flowing water while brushing teeth or shaving, using a cup or basin instead.
Outdoor & garden care
Vehicle Washing: fit hosepipes with trigger-action spray nozzles or automatic shut-off valves, or switch to a bucket and sponge.
Targeted Irrigation: water gardens directly at root level and regulate flow using nozzle restrictors.
Time Restrictions: irrigate only before 09:00 or after 18:00 to reduce evaporative loss, limiting watering to a maximum of one hour per day regardless of the method used.
Recreation & pools
Play & Cooling: supervise outdoor play to avoid wasteful hose spraying; use damp cloths for quick skin cooling during extreme heat.
Pool Management: keep both permanent and temporary pools covered when not in use to cut evaporation, recycle backwash water, and top up with rainwater or non-potable sources whenever possible.
With warm conditions setting in, the City urges all water users to integrate these small adjustments into their daily routines to safeguard the region's shared water security until the winter rains return.