Cape Town - Cape Town is experiencing some scorching days in the midst of the drought.
In previous summers, Capetonians could cool down in one of the numerous public swimming baths, but this year only 13 of the City's 35 municipal pools will be open.
The Sea Point swimming pool uses sea water and will be open daily from 7am to 7pm.
The public pools in Atlantis, Strand, Blue Downs Indoor, Khayelitsha, Bellville, Vulindlela, Retreat, Mnandi, Eastridge, Kensington, Bonteheuwel and Hanover Park have all been open since December 1.
"These pools will remain open until the end of January 2018," said Alderman JP Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security; and Social Services.
These pools operating hours are from 10am – 4pm.
"All water backwashed from the swimming pools will be stored, treated, and reused and any water lost through evaporation will be replaced with water from the surrounding pools that will remain closed this season. The use of recycled water, along with the reduced operating hours, will ensure that no water is wasted and that no drinking water is used to top up swimming pools," said Smith.
However, showers and ablutions are switched off and waterless hand sanitisers can be expected to be seen at a number of public washrooms.
The City of Cape Town has beefed up lifeguard presence at beaches and tidal pools "in anticipation of an increase in the number of visitors".