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By Staff Reporter 
Oct 20, 2020
Cape Town: The city of Cape Town has decided to lift the water restrictions in the city and move to the lower rate, which is the unrestricted rate and in terms of water as of November 1.
The City made the announcement on Tuesday, after the mayoral committee (mayco) unanimously supported the decision to lift the water restrictions, and the issue is scheduled for council approval next week.
According to the City, it has been conducting ongoing assessments for the past few months and has been monitoring the situation “proactively”.
Mayor Dan Plato said Mayco took note of expert advice from the Department of Water and Sanitation and supports their decision to lift restrictions and reduce water and sanitation rates to the lowest level approved by the council.
“We have always had a proactive approach in managing our resources, financial and natural, and we are happy to support the decision.
“Aside from the dams being filled to capacity and beyond in recent weeks, this is another moment to celebrate as, in just a few years: we’ve gone from the worst drought to facing our city and a potential ‘Day Zero ‘of water, to full dams and zero water restrictions, plus the need to maintain water.
“We are located in a water-scarce region, so we will always have to make sure that we are sustainable and future-proof,” Plato said.
“While we must remain mindful of climate uncertainty, residents who are comfortable enough can begin to relax water-saving efforts in good conscience, while remaining prudent, due to the significant increase in dam levels. .
“These anticipated movements in the warmer months of the summer have been factored into the latest anticipated usage patterns to bring rates down from the current second-lowest rate level, to the lowest rate, with no restrictions, on water. ”.
The mayor said the water rate had been approved by the Council as part of the City’s 2020/21 budget package.
“This lower rate will offer residents some financial relief while ensuring that we can provide reliable water services and invest in new water sources. Rates are set to cover the cost of supplying water and sanitation.
“This includes maintaining the infrastructure and making sure Cape Town is resilient by investing in and adding new sources to its water supply and becoming a water-sensitive city,” said Plato.
The decision to lift water restrictions and lower water rates was based on the following three key considerations:
- The National Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) lifts the restrictions applicable to the Western Cape Water Supply System (WCWSS) of shared dams, of which Cape Town is one of the users. Overall, WCWSS dam levels reached 100%.
- The city’s projections that dams are unlikely to fall below 50% next winter. The lifting of all restrictive measures, with the exception of the existing water regulations permanently in force due to the proactive management of water resources, will allow the rational use of water, in line with the lower rate, which is slightly lower than the current, the second lowest rate. level.
- The city’s projections that also indicate the latest water use patterns forecast for next summer will be sufficient to allow the reduction of water and sanitation rates from the second lowest rate to the lowest, without restriction of the rate level. of water. These fees are already part of the budget approved by the Council for fiscal year 2020/21, which followed due process, including a public participation process.
Xanthea Limberg, Mayco Member for Water and Waste, added: “Cape Town’s recent drought crisis made clear that the City needs to build water security by investing in future water sources as outlined in our Strategy for Water.
“The City has already been implementing the Water Strategy as 15 million liters of groundwater per day have come online from the Table Mountain Group Aquifer, while other projects are also being planned, including permanent desalination and water reuse “.
Limberg said that, going forward, the city will continue to implement cost and water saving plans and encourage Cape Town to remain water smart.
Cape Argus
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