Elton Jansen, chairperson, Sub-council 23 and councillor for Ward 43
By now you know the challenge we are facing as citizens of Cape Town in respect of the drought.
As much as we have the right to answers to our questions as to how we got here, I would like to urge residents to help us get through this period to avoid Day Zero by continuing to change our relationship with water and to use it sparingly.
A big thank you to Ward 43 residents who have been playing their part to save water. Right now we cannot play the blame game but let’s work together and push through as a community.
Level 6B water restrictions came into effect on Thursday February 1. Residents are encouraged to only use 50 litres of water per person per day, whether it is at home, work, school or elsewhere.
Level 6B water restrictions include:
The outdoor usage of boreholes is strongly discouraged. Usage for irrigation purposes will be limited to a maximum of one hour only on Tuesdays and Saturdays before 9am and after 6pm.
Borehole or well point water use must be metered and all users are required to keep records and have these available for inspection.
Permission from the national Department of Water and Sanitation is needed to sell or buy borehole or well point water.
Agricultural users need to reduce usage by 60% compared with the corresponding period in 2015 (pre-drought).
Commercial properties need to reduce usage by 45% compared with the corresponding period in 2015 (pre-drought).
Residential units using excessive amounts of water will be fined or have water management devices (WMD) installed on their properties.
Hosing down of paved surfaces with municipal drinking water is illegal.
Irrigation or watering with municipal drinking water is illegal.
Portable play pools may not be used.
It is illegal to wash cars, trailers, caravans or boats with municipal drinking water.
Filling or topping up of private swimming pools with municipal drinking water is illegal.
Water features may not use municipal drinking water.
All residents are strongly encouraged to install water efficient parts, fittings and technologies to minimise water use at all taps, shower heads and other plumbing mechanisms.
I have convened a Strandfontein Water Crisis Steering Committee on Thursday February 1 with concerned residents from interest groups, including the local lifesaving club, Strandfontein Ratepayers’ Association, the fishing industry, Strandfontein Social Economic Development Forum(SSEDF) and Ernest Theron, ANC Proportional Representative (PR) councillor, who will play an oversight role on behalf of the community over the temporary water desalination plant, situated at Strandfontein Pavilion.
This temporary desalination plant is part of the City of Cape Town’s water augmentation programmes to supplement our water supply during the drought.
The committee came about after a public meeting was held on Tuesday January 23.
All concerns will be addressed by the committee.
Furthermore, I am arranging another meeting with representatives from NGOs, churches, ratepayer associations and other organisations, registered on the sub-council database to plan from a community perspective around how we’re going to deal with Day Zero.
I feel that we all need to come together and plan to assist the most vulnerable, that is the disabled, senior citizens and the sick.
Please forward all your concerns to me and I believe that together we can get through this.
You can call me on 021 444 8727 or email EltonEnrique.Jansen@capetown.gov.za