Water curb exemptions to be reviewed in CT

Golf courses & botanical gardens could have their exemptions revoked with the option to re-apply if the city decides to cancel.

Wemmerhoek Dam. Picture: capetown.gov.za

Xolani Koyana & Kgomotso Modise | 999 days ago

CAPE TOWN - The City of Cape Town is reviewing water restriction exemptions as it looks to increase water savings.

Council on Thursday approved a recommendation to impose level 3B restrictions.

It was also revealed water bills of households in the city surged by R254 million over the last 12 months, despite calls to conserve water.

Golf courses and botanical gardens could have their exemptions revoked, with the option to re-apply if the city decides to cancel them.

Mayor Patricia de Lille says they are also looking at other water saving options.

“As a last resort we will look to reduce the water pressure from our reservoirs, meaning water will flow very slowly from our systems.”

Under level 3B restrictions the watering of gardens will be limited to an hour on Tuesdays and Saturdays before 9am or after 6pm, using buckets or watering cans, not hosepipes or sprinklers.

There will also be no washing of cars using municipal drinking water.

From Level 3 #waterRestrictions to level 3B, if you live in Cape Town this what you're not allowed to do with municipal water @JustKoyana pic.twitter.com/nMnroq3w9V
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) January 26, 2017

JOHANNESBURG

Johannesburg Water says it’s issued about R600,000 in fines for excessive usage since September last year.

Officials have been considering the prospect of intensifying restrictions due to the high consumption rate in the city.

Johannesburg is under level 2 restrictions, which means residents may not water their gardens or wash their cars with a hosepipe.

Johannesburg Water's Tidimalo Chuene says almost 700 fines were issued in September for various offences including filling up swimming pools.

She says Johannesburg Water is exploring new ways to decrease consumption.

Chuene says while there has been rainfall in the city, residents are still required to adhere to bylaws.

(Edited by Shimoney Regter)

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