City to Ease Water Restrictions

New and less stringent water restrictions will be introduced by the City of Cape Town on 1 November 2005 following consultation with the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry and the Department's easing of water restrictions for the Western Cape.

Water tariffs will also be lowered from the same date.

"I would like to thank each and every resident of Cape Town for their contribution, no matter how small or large. Residents have worked together to meet our savings targets. We are not abolishing restrictions, but merely easing them: We live in a water scarce area and we have to save water as a way of life. As a caring City we are saying thank you and easing restrictions now that we are able to do so, but as a responsible City we must ensure that we have enough water for the future," said Councillor John Mokoena, Member of the Mayoral Committee for Trading Services.

The current water restrictions - aimed at a 20% savings figure - will remain in force until 30 October 2005. From 1 November revised level 1 restrictions for a 10% water savings level will apply. Public comment will be invited.

The proposed measures are:

1. Gardens, sports fields, parks, or other grassed areas may not be watered with drinking (potable) water between 10h00 and 17h00.
2. When watering a garden, park, or sports field from a potable water source with a hose, the hose must not be left unattended unless it has self-closing device.
3. Potable water cannot be used to hose down a hard-surfaced or paved area.
4. A hosepipe used for washing vehicles, boats, and caravans must be fitted with an automatic self-closing device.
5. All automatic-flushing urinals must be turned off after working hours.
6. The restrictions in paragraph 1 shall not apply

• for the washing of certain paved areas at abattoirs, premises used for the processing of foods and to car valet services;
• where written permission or special exemptions have been granted in writing by the City of Cape Town;
• where other sources of non-potable water are used and a notice indicating the source is erected in a position clearly visible from a public thoroughfare.

According to current tariff modeling, the new measures will result in lower water accounts. As a guideline someone who now pays R133 for using 26 kiloliter of water, can expect to pay R100 per month. Similarly someone now paying R177 for 30 kl can expect a bill of R131.

Issued by:
Communication and Marketing
City of Cape Town
Email: media@capetown.gov.za
Tel: 021 400 2201
Fax: 021 957 0023

Media Queries:
Momelezi Skweyiya: 083 335 0337
Pieter Cronjé: 082 465 4965