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Water shortages in SA are serious, and Capetonians and Joburgers have been ordered to save the precious resource – but you spot your neighbour hosing their precious lawn on the sly. What do you do?
The City of Cape Town approved level-three restrictions which began on 1 November 2016 and has asked residents to adhere to strict new water-saving rules to help combat the severe water shortage in the area. Western Cape municipalities failed to recover enough water over the rainy season, and dams are now only around 60% full.
Residents have been asked, among other things, not to water their gardens or wash cars or driveways with a hosepipe. Pools can be filled, but only if they're fitted with a pool cover.
See the full list of rules here.
Those caught flouting the rules could face serious penalties says the city’s Ernest Sonnenberg.
“The fines during level-three water restrictions could be as much as R5 000; it also depends on the severity of the transgression.”
On 7 September residents in drought-stricken Gauteng were asked to adhere to similar rules.
Read more: Joburg water rules: what you need to know
The city has asked that residents report anyone seen to be ignoring the new water-saving rules via the following channels.
- Call 0860-103-089
- SMS (max of 160 characters)
- Email water.restrictions@capetown.gov.za
- Contact online through its Service Requests tool
Joburgers who spot neighbours breaking the rules can report them via the 24-hour hotline 011-758-9650.
