The City of Cape Town thanks those consumers who continue to save water. However, we warn residents not to relax their water-saving efforts especially in light of the bit of rain that we are receiving. Consumption remains too high.

‘It will take a number of consecutive winters of good rainfall for our dam levels to recover – and there is no guarantee that we will have above average rainfall in the coming winter.

‘Increasing our efforts to reduce water use is the best way to manage a drought. We have begun controlling the supply from our large Faure Reservoir by reducing pressure at the reservoir itself. If the pressure is lower, less water flows at a time. This is an innovative pilot project which has lowered pressure to the central and southern suburbs. It is estimated that it is saving approximately 25 million litres of water per day. This work continues and consumers in the higher-lying central and southern suburb areas will also start to notice a drop in water pressure,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Informal Settlements, Water and Waste Services; and Energy, Councillor Xanthea Limberg.

From today, 10 April 2017, the City will also commence with the reduction of pressure in our connections to the distribution system over a wide area, which will include Blackheath, Kleinvlei, Kuils River, Delft, Macassar, Firgrove, Somerset West, Strand, Gordon’s Bay, and Sir Lowry’s Pass Village in an effort to reduce water losses through leakage in pipework.

It should be understood that some areas may experience loss of supply during the introduction of the additional pressure reduction measures and until the required balance has been achieved. Therefore consumers should not be alarmed if they experience very low pressure or if the supply in their area drops away as it will only be temporary until the balance is achieved.

Residents can contact the City via email to waterTOC@capetown.gov.za for queries or to report contraventions (evidence should be provided to assist the City’s enforcement efforts) or they can send an SMS to 31373.

For further information, residents should please visit the water restrictions page on the City’s website: www.capetown.gov.za/thinkwater

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