CAPE TOWN - With the fast approaching Day Zero water crisis being brought forward to April 12, Cape Town residents are urged to practice good water saving methods and to also be kept abreast with the latest water measures.
Take a look at these 3 apps which will keep you in the know-how of where South Africa’s dam levels are, reports Memeburn.
READ ALSO: #WaterCrisis hits Cape Town tourism
1. South African Water Levels
The South African Water Levels app has been developed by Rhys Williams.
The app lists all provinces in South Africa and displays exactly how much usable water is available for each province. Although the app does not count down to #DayZero, it provides a visual representation of how much water remains in its surface reserves for each province.
The app is kept up to date with information straight from the Department of Water and Sanitation.
South African Water Levels also displays the impact that our water saving is making.
The app requires an Android version 4.1 and up and
2. That Dam App
This app provides cutting edge interactive design which displays a wealth of information on South Africa’s dam levels.
The app is mainly updated weekly and reflects the current dam levels. The figures can either be viewed numerically and visually on a trend graph. The app also requires an Android version 4.1 and up for compatibility with a device.
3. Drop Drop
Drop Drop, developed by the University of Cape Town (UCT) provides important water level statistics. The app serves as a knowledge base and also shows you how to do your part by saving water.
Meanwhile, the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) protested last Sunday against the City of Cape Town for their proposed drought charge which was later lifted.
"We support a progressive taxation policy , but adhoc measures for bad planning should not just be processed because it has a greater impact on the rich. There needs to be careful and considered planning and expenditure", says regional secretary of Cosatu of the Western Cape, Tony Ehrenreich.
"The water crisis was identified and warned against 10 years ago . The DA failed to plan for alternative sources of water even when the extent of the disaster became apparent in May last year, no urgent action was taken. In December the contractors working on it went on leave , further delaying role out . Just bad ineffective leadership from day 1", says Ehrenreich.
Cosatu invited all people to join their action who are concerned about the water crisis in Cape Town, in respect of the following areas:
- The increase in the drought levy, which will lead to huge cost for ratepayers
- The attempts by the City to privatise water and to profiteer from its supply and sale
- The forced introduction of pre paid water metres into communities
- The new regulations that will increase the cost of building and maintenance
- The City by laws which are going to lead to a more difficult water access environment
- The refusal of the City to harvest the spring water in Camisa for the use of citizens
- The refusal of the City to stop SA Breweries from using Cape Town spring water to make beer, free of charge
- The refusal of the City to stop the use of water to farms during the crisis and restricting the water to only human and animal use.
- The refusal of the City to provide water tanks to citizens to harvest water.
- The City is lying to the citizens about when Day Zero will happen, as our information from Council staff is that it is middle march.
- The Council is allowing some people to hoard water, for when the taps run dry, which is exacerbating problem.
- The Councils plans for recycling are inadequate and not being focussed on
- The council plans for desalination is inadequate and not being focussed on
