South Africa: Cape Town introduces new water restrictions May 31

Event

Cape Town authorities approved new water restrictions on Wednesday, May 31, which will come into effect on Thursday, June 1. Under the new Level 4 restrictions, residents are limited to 100 liters (22 gallons) of water per person per day. Municipal water cannot be used for outside or non-essential use. Residents are asked to limit their showers to less than two minutes, avoid flushing the toilet more than three to five times a day, and use gray water whenever possible. Mayor Patricia de Lille also asked the city council to approval additional restrictions, which could come into effect within the next 60 days.

Context

Western Cape province was declared a disaster area on Monday, May 22, for a period of at least three months due to increasing water shortages. It is facing its worst water shortage in 113 years and the Karoo and West Coast areas previously declared drought disasters in 2016.

The region does not have enough water tankers to supply residents despite recent heavy rainfall. According to regional officials, two of Western Cape's reservoirs are already running dry. As a result, the local government announced plans to use a mobile desalination plant and tap the natural aquifer under Cape Town's Table Mountain. In addition, boreholes will be drilled in hospitals and schools in high-risk areas in an effort to collect additional groundwater.

The southern African region has been experiencing severe drought for almost three years, as a result of the devastating effects of the climatic phenomenon El Niño. The United Nations estimates that over 40 million people have been affected by the drought and resulted in the decimation of crops and water resources, leaving millions dependent on aid. While areas such as northern South Africa, parts of Mozambique, and Zimbabwe have benefited from heavy rainfall this year, other areas, such as in southern Angola, remain seriously affected by low precipitation levels.

Advice

Individuals in Western Cape are advised to conserve water, stock up on bottled water, keep abreast of the situation via local media outlets, and adhere to any instructions issued by the local authorities (e.g., water rationing measures).