The City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee recommended on January 19, that council implement tougher water restrictions at its sitting next week.
If approved by council, these Level 3b water restrictions will come into effect from Wednesday February 1.
Watering/irrigation (with municipal drinking water) of flower beds, lawns, vegetables and other plants, sports fields, parks and other open spaces is allowed only on Tuesdays and Saturdays before 9am or after 6pm for a maximum of one hour a day a property and only if using a bucket or watering can. No use of hosepipes or any sprinkler systems allowed.
;No watering/irrigation is allowed within 48 hours of rainfall that provides adequate saturation. Facilities/customers making use of boreholes, treated effluent water, spring water or well-points are not exempt.
;No washing of vehicles or boats using municipal drinking water is allowed. Vehicles and boats must be washed with non-potable water or washed at a commercial carwash.
No washing of vehicles, including taxis, using municipal drinking water at transport interchanges will be allowed
No more irrigation using potable water will be permitted at City facilities
;No increase of the indigent water allocation over and above the free 350 litres a day will be granted, unless through prior application and permission for specific events such as burial ceremonies
Restrictions still applicable to all customers:
;Borehole/well-point water must be used efficiently to avoid wastage and evaporation. Borehole/well-point water users are strongly encouraged to follow the same watering times as applicable to drinking water use detailed above
;All boreholes and well-points must be registered with the City and the official City of Cape Town signage must be displayed and be clearly visible from a public thoroughfare (residents can visit the City’s website for how to register)
;All properties where alternative, non-potable water resources are used (including rainwater harvesting, grey water reuse, treated effluent water and spring water) must display signage to this effect clearly visible from a public thoroughfare. Residents can visit the City’s website for more information: www.capetown.gov.za/thinkwater
;No washing or hosing down of hard-surfaced or paved areas with drinking water is allowed (except for health purposes)
;Using drinking water for ornamental water fountains or water features is strongly discouraged. If drinking water is used, the water fountains or water features must operate by recycling the water
Restrictions still applicable to residential customers
;Customers are strongly encouraged to install water-efficient parts, fittings and technologies to minimise water use at all taps, showerheads and other plumbing components
;Manual topping up of swimming pools is allowed only if fitted with a pool cover. No automatic top-up systems are allowed
The use of portable or any temporary play pools is prohibited
Customers should note that water pressure may be reduced to limit water leaks and that slight changes in water taste and clarity may occur due to low dam levels
For users supplied with water in terms of special contracts (notarial deeds, water service intermediaries or water service providers), the contract conditions shall apply
Commercial car-wash industries must comply with industry best practice norms regarding water usage per car washed
Informal car washes must use only buckets and not hosepipes
For more information, visit the water restrictions page on the website: www.capetown.gov.za/thinkwater or email restrictions@capetown.gov.za to report contraventions.
