New water demand strategy bears fruit

By Mikhaila Crowie and Mishkah Anthony
3 February 2009

The City of Cape Town’s Utility Services department says its new water demand strategy has had successful results.

This new initiative aims to replace all ageing pipes and has reduced the city’s consumption by more than 26%.

Councillor Clive Justus, Mayoral Committee Member for Utility Services, says we live in a region where water is in short supply.

Justus also said we should strive to use less and save more

“In December alone, every person in Cape Town was using 307 litres of water. This includes the water that is used in households, pools, and in gardens but also in business, factories and commerce.”

Justus also appealed to residents to reduce their water usage by repairing leaks and to re-use water for gardening purposes.

He said it was important to make the significant savings in the month that lie ahead.

“Already the City is supplying some 118 millions of treated effluent litres of water, for purposes such as agriculture, irrigation of sports fields and industrial use.”

Meanwhile, City Water Services are carrying out maintenance on the water reticulation system in the Tokia area today. As a result of this work the greater part of Tokia will be without water from 09:00 to 16:00.

This will enable Water Services to install new bulk water zone meters. Farouk Robertson, Water and Sanitation Department’s Communication Manager says, “These are meters that effectively measure the water supply in the area, so that we know exactly how much water is being used in that area.”

The City indicated that there will be some sections indirectly affected and experience low water pressure, and that residents should not be alarmed if there might be a brief period of discoloured water after the water pressure and flow rate returns to normal.

The City is also appealing for residents to ensure that their taps are properly closed during this period. Should a tap be left open accidentally and full pressure is restored, damage could be caused and a considerable amount of water wasted.