LEVEL 3B WATER RESTRICTIONS effective 1 Feb 2017

The City of Cape Town has approved Level 3B Water Restrictions, effective from 01-02-2017 until further notice.




RESTRICTIONS APPLICABLE TO ALL CUSTOMERS

1. Watering/irrigation (with municipal drinking water) of flower beds, lawns, vegetables and other plants, sports fields, parks and other open spaces allowed only on Tuesdays and Saturdays before 09:00 or after 18:00 for a maximum of one hour per day per property and only if using a bucket or watering can. No use of hosepipes or any sprinkler systems allowed.
2. No watering /irrigation of sports fields, parks, etc. by internal City departments except where non – potable water is used. When non-potable water is used, it will need to be upon agreement of days and times with Water and Sanitation department.
3. Golf courses, sports facilities, parks, schools, learning institutions, nurseries, customers involved in agricultural activities, users with historical gardens and customers with special requirements can apply to the Director: Water and Sanitation for exemption to the above. (See below for the application process.)
4. No watering/irrigation within 48 hours of rainfall that provides adequate saturation. (Facilities/customers making use of boreholes, treated effluent water, spring water or wellpoints are not exempt.)
5. All boreholes and wellpoints must be registered with the City and must display the official City of Cape Town signage clearly visible from a public thoroughfare. See our webpage: Register a borehole for how to register.
6. Borehole/wellpoint water must be used efficiently to avoid wastage and evaporation. Borehole/wellpoint water users are strongly encouraged to follow the same watering times as applicable to drinking water use detailed above.
7. All properties where alternative, non-potable water resources are used (including rain water harvesting, grey water re-use, treated effluent water and spring water) must display signage to this effect clearly visible from a public thoroughfare. See our water restrictions webpage www.capetown.gov.za/thinkwater for further information.
8. No washing or hosing down of hard-surfaced or paved areas with drinking water allowed (except for health purposes). Users, such as abattoirs, food processing industries, industries using water to prepare for painting or similar treatments, care facilities, animal shelters and other industries or facilities with special needs can apply to the Director: Water and Sanitation for exemption. (See below for the application process.)
9. Using drinking water for ornamental water fountains or water features is strongly discouraged. If drinking water is used, the water fountains or water features must operate by recycling the water.

RESTRICTIONS APPLICABLE TO RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS

1. No washing of vehicles or boats, using municipal drinking water. Vehicles and boats must be washed with non-potable water or washed at a commercial carwash.
2. Customers are strongly encouraged to install water efficient parts, fittings and technologies to minimise water use at all taps, showerheads and other plumbing components.
3. Manual topping up of swimming pools allowed only if fitted with a pool cover. No automatic top-up systems are allowed.
4. The use of portable or any temporary play pools is prohibited.
5. No increase of the indigent water allocation over and above the free 350L a day will be granted, unless through prior application and permission for specific events such as burial ceremonies.

RESTRICTIONS APPLICABLE TO NON-RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS

1. No washing of vehicles, including taxis, using municipal drinking water at transport interchanges.
2. Commercial carwash industries must comply with industry best practice norms regarding water usage per car washed.
3. Informal car washes to use only buckets and not hosepipes.
4. The use of fitted pool covers for public swimming pools is strongly encouraged where practically possible.
5. No automatic top-up systems for swimming pools are allowed.
6. Spray parks to be strictly managed to minimise water wastage.
7. Customers must install water efficient parts, fittings and technologies to minimise water use at all taps, shower heads and other plumbing components in public places and adhere to Water By-law requirements.
8. Golf courses, sports facilities, parks, schools and learning institutions are not allowed to establish any new landscaping or sports fields, except if irrigated only with non-potable water.
9. For users supplied with water in terms of special contracts (notarial deeds, water service intermediaries or water service providers), the contract conditions shall apply.

Other restrictive measures, not detailed above, still apply as stipulated in Schedule 1 of the Water Bylaw, 2010, available from our webpage: Know your water regulations.

Visit our website to find out how to apply for exemption from water restrictions. All exemptions granted under Level 3 are being reviewed with the possibility of being revoked with the option for reapplication. Current water users with exemptions under Level 3 must adhere to Level 3b irrigation days and times.

Customers should note that water pressure may be reduced to limit water leaks and that slight changes in water taste and clarity may occur due to low dam levels. For further information visit our water restrictions webpage www.capetown.gov.za/thinkwater or contact us at water.restrictions@capetown.gov.za.