Day Zero is closer than ever and may even occur sooner than expected as on the 21ST of April 2018. This will not only influence the Western Cape, but South Africa as a whole. With the 50-litres-per-day-for-the-next-150-days alarms going off, will the looming ‘Day Zero’ affect those beyond the Western Cape?
Water is a daily need – cooking, drinking, hygiene – and the need for it is far greater than what the city has left. Water meters are being monitored, swimming pools are being emptied, and monthly tariffs have increased to ensure that households use water within the set restrictions. The rest of the country will feel the water crisis pinch.
Tourists are urged to be as cautious as the city’s residents by choosing to stay in accommodation facilities that have water-saving measures in place, using cups when brushing teeth instead of letting the tap run, and taking shorter showers.
Dam levels are critically low, and when storage reaches 13.5%, Cape Town will turn off most taps, leaving only vital services with access to water. Below is a list of dam levels of each province as of 22 January 2018:
Province | Dam levels in % |
Western Cape | 25.3 % |
Gauteng | 94.1 % |
Eastern Cape | 58.9 % |
Free State | 65.0 % |
KwaZulu-Natal | 50.6 % |
Limpopo | 65.3 % |
Mpumalanga | 76.9 % |
Northern Cape | 75.6 % |
North West | 67.0 % |
Day Zero is expected to hit on 11 May 2018, and as over consumption continues excessively, the day draws closer and closer.
This article is a general information sheet and should not be used or relied upon as professional advice. No liability can be accepted for any errors or omissions nor for any loss or damage arising from reliance upon any information herein. Always contact your financial adviser for specific and detailed advice. Errors and omissions excepted (E&OE)