Organisers of the Cape Town Carnival have overhauled their event planning in order to have zero impact on the municipal water grid.
Ahead of the popular event next month, Cape Town Carnival chief executive Jay Douwes said with the Western Cape is in the midst of an unprecedented drought, this has had a profound effect on all events organised in the city.
“We need to be cognisant of the fact that as a city, as event organisers and as citizens, our relationship with water in the province has to alter significantly.
“We are taking the situation very seriously and are focusing on ensuring that we implement practical and responsible measures in relation to our project, our event and water issues,” Douwes said.
For the March 17 event, organisers have taken steps to ensure only chemical toilets will be used, all water for hydration for participants will be sourced from outside municipal water grids and water sold by vendors will be sourced from outside municipal water grids.
Spectators will be encouraged to bring their own water if they do not wish to buy bottled water, no water taps will be installed along the Fanwalk, water for those who cannot afford water bottles will be supplied from water sourced from outside of the municipal water grid, and dispensed in paper cups.
Food trucks will bring in their own water for food preparation/dishes and dispose of grey water. Rain water tanks installed at the Cape Town Carnival Workshop in Maitland is the primary source of water used.
Douwes said 4l per person per day is used from the municipal grid.
“Our 2018 objective is to have zero water impact on the municipal water grid. The plan deals with all aspects of water including the measurement and evaluation of water usage and the reduction there-of; water sourcing (i.e. no water coming off the province’s drinking water grid but sourcing water from outside of the drought area); the use of grey and desalination water.”
“At present, the City has given the go ahead that the event will continue as per normal, Douwes said.