Although Capetonians have been enjoying a spot of much-needed wet weather in the midst of a drought, they’re definitely not out of the woods just yet.

In fact, there are new regulations on the way to make sure their taps are shut even tighter.

In a statement released on Wednesday, June 13, the City of Cape Town has confirmed that they have passed nine amendments to their water laws.

And no, these amendments aren’t going to be replacing the current Level 6B water restrictions, which instead are implemented in addition to this by-law, reports BusinessTech.

What a bummer.

To avoid Day Zero or another chaotic stockpiling scare, the changes had to be made, said councillor Xanthea Limberg:

Given the current uncertainty around future rainfall patterns in the Western Cape, it is essential that the city’s residents are water-aware at all times, including once water restrictions are lifted, and that the city can act effectively to reduce and prevent waste.

These amendments will assist the City to better protect our water resources so our City is more resilient when drought does strike.

Fair point.

These are the nine important regulations you need to know about:

• Your landlord is now obligated to keep record of consumption for each residential unit in a multi-tenant complex/block of flats, and inform the city if contraventions of water restrictions are taking place.
• A pre-payment meter is now an option, in addition to the WMD, as a council water meter. However, this technology is not quite ready for uptake by the city, although having this item of legislation in the by-law allows the city to make use of it in the event that it becomes appropriate and necessary.
• New developments must install water conservation and demand management systems, or alternative water systems, and be approved by the City before development proceeds.
• The city’s oversight of plumbers has been strengthened by allowing the city to remove plumbers from its register, plus they have the power to institute legal action if they are found to have transgressed the water by-law.
  
• No irrigation of gardens is allowed between 9AM and 6PM, including from boreholes and well-points. Before this amendment was introduced, no irrigation was allowed 10AM and 4PM, and did not include borehole water.
• Potable (drinking) water storage tanks must be made impervious to sunlight so as to prevent the growth of bacteria.
• No cross-connection must exist on private property between potable and non-potable water systems.
• Maximum capacity for toilet cisterns and shower head flow has been lowered: toilets are now only allowed a maximum 6-litre cistern volume (down from 9 litres), and water from shower heads must flow out at no more than 7 litres per minute (down from 9,5 litres/minute).
• All pools must be fitted with a cover to avoid evaporation when not in use.

Well, there it is.

Looks like we’ll all have to make a few extra sacrifices to keep Day Zero at bay but, as they say, teamwork makes the dream work.

[source:businesstech]