After a years long drought in the Western Cape region of South Africa that started in 2015, and despite attempts at conserving water, the city of Cape Town is nearing “Day Zero” in April 2018. When the nearby water reservoirs collectively reach this critical point, municipal water supplies will be depleted and the city’s taps will run dry.
The region’s water supplies are normally replenished by rainfall during the winter months of May-August, and drop during the dry summer months of December-February as urban and agricultural water use also increases. Over the past three years, the region has had its driest period since at least 1933 and possibly earlier, statistically this is a 300 year drought. Cape Town’s population has grown significantly as well, around 75% in the past 20 years. Despite water saving measures attempting to keep consumption below 1999 levels, and adding a new dam to increase capacity, it was determined that demand would exceed normal supply starting in 2013. Five years later, these conditions have coalesced to the breaking point.
Right now water is rationed to 50 liters a day, with water running out from stores and public natural springs crowded at all times. At “Day Zero” this allotment will drop to 25 liters per person daily. Long term plans include upgrading water systems, building desalination plants, tapping new aquifers, and developing water-recycling projects, but none of these are instant solutions.
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