THE City has identified 20 000 water wasters, mostly from informal settlements, who have cost those households more than R250 million in additional tariffs, which have necessitated the implementation of Level 3B water restrictions.
During this year’s first council meeting, mayor Patricia de Lille said the addresses of water wasters were known and that their ward councillors would interact with them on the effect of their high water usage.
“We will ask them to reduce water consumption. If this fails, we will look at other options including restricting (their) water supply to 350 litres a day. Or else we will name and shame them,” she said.
De Lille said Cape Town had not reached intended water-savings targets because these water wasters were using as much as 50 kilolitres a month.
“We have received an additional R254 million from water sales due to sales volumes being higher than anticipated and the impact of the implemented 20% (level 2) water restrictions on consumption patterns.”
She said the water shortage was at crisis level as more than one million users had only 10% of the available water to share.
“As it stands dams are 40% full. Thirty percent is for irrigation on agricultural farms. We will install water devices that will limit water usage to 350 litres a day,” said De Lille.
Level 3B water restrictions coming into effect from February 1 will include the watering of gardens, fields, parks on Tuesdays and Saturdays only between 9am and 6pm for an hour using a bucket, the use of hosepipes will not be allowed.
These restrictions also require no watering within 48 hours of rainfall; no washing of vehicles or boats using drinking water. No increase of indigent water allocation over 350 litres a day will be granted unless through prior application and permission for specific events such as burial ceremonies.
She said botanical gardens and golf courses would be exempt from these restrictions. “Severe water fines would be issued to deter users from wasting water,” said De Lille.
But ANC chief whip in council Xolani Sotashe denied the City’s charge that informal settlement residents were the main water wasters.
“This is not a true reflection. This is because water devices are installed in the townships only and therefore allowing big businesses to use water without being monitored. Water-saving initiatives are applied differently here.
“Poor people are suffering the consequences of the City’s ageing infrastructure. Townships are flooded with dirty water leaking from burst pipes. They have huge bills whereas big businesses pay nothing. As a result people live for days without water because of regular water cuts in the townships,” he said.
However, De Lille denied that big businesses were consuming too much water.
Mayoral committee member for informal settlements, water and waste services and energy Xanthea Limberg said it should be noted that the level of evaporation also played a substantial role in the declining dam levels.
“As the occurrence and severity of droughts can’t be predicted, water restrictions are critical, and the only practical way in the short term to deal with protecting our water supplies to consumers during periods of water shortages.”Limberg said all users of water in areas affected by the drought must comply with water restrictions.