In Cape Town, water supply to population is reduced again due to drought. From January on, households are allowed to consume no more than 10,500 litres of water in one month, as city Council has shared. Orwise, fines are due. This corresponds to realistic assumption of seven to eight inhabitants in a household of well 40 liters of water per day and person – for drinking, washing, cooking, cleaning and Toilettespülen. However, households with more than four people can apply for a permit from city for higher water consumption.

The limit in December of this year was 20,000 liters per household, i.e. about 87 liters per day and person. For comparison: In Germany, an average of more than 120 litres of water per day is consumed.

Companies are also affected by new restrictions. According to sector, y must reduce ir water consumption by between 45 and 60 per cent.

The authorities in South African metropolis react with step to worst drought for centuries. The reservoirs that supply water to Cape Town are only one third; The region was declared a disaster area months ago. The city council speaks of an approaching "zero hour" in which water must be completely displaced – should 4.5 million inhabitants not drastically reduce ir water consumption. If you do not do this, enter "Hour Zero" on April 29th, 2018, informs administration on a website. In this case, under supervision of military and police, residents could only pick up 25 litres of water a day from certain distribution points.

City is considering "drought tax"

For months, city has been trying to counteract drought. With seawater desalination plants, water recovery and groundwater withdrawals, a total of 144 million litres of water have been extracted between February and July. From February onwards, administration is considering introduction of a so-called drought tax, which, depending on property value, collects a staggered allowance from homeowners.

Numerous plants, such as nurseries and car washes, which are reliant on water, have already had to close because of drought. Agriculture, too, had lost millions of dollars in this harvest, said regional Ministry of Cooperative Governance. About 50,000 jobs were threatened. Tourism is also under pressure. Every year, about five million travellers come to region, among m hundreds of thousands of Germans.

Researchers at University of Cape Town are responsible for climate change for crisis. Critics accuse city council of poor planning.

Date Of Update: 31 December 2017, 12:03