Alternative water sources | Alternative water sources | | <img alt="" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/PublishingImages/Alternative%20water%20sources%20page%20header.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | <div class="ExternalClassF2157CE16892407ABA847F9CC7B90B45"><p>We live in a water-scarce region. The use of alternative water sources for irrigation and industrial purposes allows us to conserve the water supply from our dams.</p></div> | <span>
<h2 class="sectHeading">Why use alternative water sources?</h2> </span>
<p>By using alternative water sources, you can rely less on Cape Town’s drinking water for your non-drinking needs (e.g. irrigating, landscaping, construction, sports fields, or flushing toilets). Learn about harvested rainwater, greywater and boreholes, wellpoints and reusing treated effluent to make the right choice for your home, business and the environment.</p>
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<i class="info fastfact"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Did you know?</h4><p>The city recycles more than 8% of its water. Recycled water is used for irrigation or industrial purposes. </p></div></div> </span>
<p>The installation of alternative water systems must be well managed and regulated, as there are potentially serious health and environmental risks associated with it. The City has developed
<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Procedures%2c%20guidelines%20and%20regulations/Guidelines%20for%20Alternative%20Water%20Installations.pdf" target="_blank">guidelines to promote safe and legal installation of alternative water systems</a> and a
<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Procedures%2c%20guidelines%20and%20regulations/Summary%20guide%20to%20installation%20of%20alternative%20water%20systems.pdf" target="_blank">guideline summary</a>.</p><p>Download our alternative water resources brochure (<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/Alternative_Water_Resources_3Ways_English.pdf" target="_blank">English </a>|
<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/Alternative_Water_Resources_3Ways_Afrikaans.pdf" target="_blank">Afrikaans </a>|
<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/Alternative_Water_Resources_3Ways_Xhosa.pdf" target="_blank">isiXhosa</a>).</p><h2 class="sectHeading">Using grey water</h2><p>Grey water is untreated wastewater collected from bathing, showering and hand washing. Laundry water from washing machines or hand washing only qualifies as grey water for re-use if environmentally friendly detergents are used.</p><p>By re-using grey water rather than letting it go
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/Residential-utility-services/Residential-water-and-sanitation-services/Where-does-my-waste-water-go">back into the sewerage system</a>, you can reduce your water bill and limit the strain on the natural environment.</p><h4>
Grey water is not:</h4><ul><li>toilet water (which contains sewage, faecal matter, and bacteria)</li><li>water from spas, jacuzzis and pools</li><li>water from kitchen sinks and dishwashers. This contains grease, fats, oils, bacteria, food, other solid particles and must not be re-used</li></ul><p>Depending on the source, grey water can contain bacteria, hair and skin particles, oil and grease, soap and detergent residue, pesticide, dirt, lint, and other contaminants. Do not store grey water for longer than 24 hours, as this will lead to bad odour, slime build-up and health risks. If stored for longer than 24 hours, it requires filtration, disinfection and treatment as advised by a specialist.<br></p>
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<i class="info note"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Please note</h4><p>Appropriate signage is required when re-using grey water, using springwater or harvesting rainwater. You can download, print and laminate the City of Cape Town
<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/Non%20potable%20water%20sign.pdf" target="_blank">non-drinking water sign</a> although other suitable signage is permitted.</p></div></div></span>
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For more information on using grey water in the home, see these guides:</h4><ul><li>Safe Use of Grey water Booklet (<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/Safe%20Use%20of%20Greywater%20booklet.pdf" target="_blank">English</a> |
<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/Safe%20Use%20of%20Greywater%20booklet%20Afrikaans.pdf" target="_blank">Afrikaans</a> |
<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/Safe%20Use%20of%20Greywater%20booklet%20Xhosa.pdf" target="_blank">isiXhosa</a>)</li><li> Re-using Grey water Brochure (<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/Alternative_Water_Resources_Greywater_English.pdf" target="_blank">English</a> |
<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/Alternative_Water_Resources_Greywater_Afrikaans.pdf" target="_blank">Afrikaans</a> |
<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/Alternative_Water_Resources_Greywater_Xhosa.pdf" target="_blank">isiXhosa</a>)<br></li></ul><p>If you are planning to install a grey water system for irrigation, harvesting rainwater or installing any alternative water system to be plumbed into your home, see the
<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Procedures%2c%20guidelines%20and%20regulations/Guidelines%20for%20Alternative%20Water%20Installations.pdf" target="_blank">City's guidelines</a> and find out how to apply for permission below.</p>
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<i class="info citycard"></i></div><div class="desc"><h4>City Connect</h4><p>
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Apply/Municipal-services/Water-and-sanitation/apply-to-install-and-use-an-alternative-water-system?ca_source=Website&ca_medium=Website&ca_campaign=Page%20-%20Apply%20to%20install%20and%20use%20an%20alternative%20water%20system&ca_term=Water&ca_content=Water">Apply to install and use an alternative water system</a></p></div></div></span>
<h2 class="sectHeading">Harvesting rainwater</h2><p>Rainwater can be collected in a water tank or any clean container and used to:</p><ul><li>clean outdoor surfaces</li><li>flush your toilet (the tank can be plumbed to feed your cistern)</li><li>top up your pool</li><li>wash laundry</li><li>water your garden</li></ul><p>Due to the possible presence of suspended particles in the water (including rodent and bird faecal matter), you should not use rainwater for drinking, food preparation or body washing (ablution).</p>
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<i class="info fastfact"></i></div><div class="desc"><h4>Fast fact</h4><p>If 5 mm of rain falls on a 100 m<sup>2</sup> roof, you can collect 500 litres of water. If you live in a winter rainfall area like ours and use a 5 000 litre tank mainly for flushing the toilet, you could save up to 15% on your water bill each year.</p></div></div></span>
<p><strong>Read our brochure for more information on harvesting rainwater:</strong><br> Alternative Water Resources: Rainwater Brochure (<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/Alternative_Water_Resources_Rainwater_English.pdf">English</a> |
<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/Alternative_Water_Resources_Rainwater_Afrikaans.pdf">Afrikaans</a> |
<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/Alternative_Water_Res_Xho_4.pdf">isiXhosa</a>)</p><h2 class="sectHeading">Boreholes and wells</h2><h4>
Boreholes versus wells</h4><p>Wellpoints draw groundwater that is close to the surface, typically from about 8 - 10 metres. Boreholes can be shallow at a depth of about 30 m, or deeper at 100 m or more, and cost more to install than wellpoints. Installing wellpoints and boreholes is expensive and should be fully researched beforehand.</p><h4>
Use of groundwater</h4><p>Most people get groundwater from boreholes, wellpoints and springs as well as from basement water. Groundwater can be a valuable alternative water source in times of water scarcity, but it needs to be used responsibly, safely and legally. </p><p>
<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/Risks%20of%20groundwater%20quality%20pamphlet.pdf" target="_blank">Not all groundwater is ideal</a> for watering plants or for indoor use, as it might have too much salt or iron in it. During the drought, limited irrigation is allowed in order to preserve groundwater. It should only be used for essential purposes indoors, such as toilet flushing, and only if it has received the appropriate treatment, e.g. removing heavy metals.</p><p>Groundwater (like all alternative water) may not generally be used for drinking, cooking or body washing according to the
<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Bylaws%20and%20policies/Water%20By-law%202010.pdf" target="_blank">Water By-law (2010)</a> and
<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Bylaws%20and%20policies/Water%20Amendment%20By-law%202018.pdf" target="_blank">Amendment (2018)</a>. However, large developments can apply to become a Water Service Intermediary (see below) and treat this water for such use under certain conditions.<br>Read the following brochure for more information on boreholes and wellpoints:<br>Boreholes and Wellpoints Brochure (<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/Alternative_Water_Resources_Boreholes_English.pdf" target="_blank">English </a>|
<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/Alternative_Water_Resources_Boreholes_Afrikaans.pdf" target="_blank">Afrikaans </a>|
<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/Alternative_Water_Resources_Boreholes_Xhosa.pdf" target="_blank">isiXhosa</a>).</p><h4>
Applying to sink a borehole or well-point</h4><p>The
<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Bylaws%20and%20policies/Water%20By-law%202010.pdf" target="_blank">Water By-law (2010)</a> and
<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Bylaws%20and%20policies/Water%20Amendment%20By-law%202018.pdf" target="_blank">Amendment (2018)</a> states that, if you intend to sink a borehole or wellpoint on your property, you will need to apply and let us know at least 14 days before you install it - find out how below.</p>
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<i class="info citycard"></i></div><div class="desc"><h4>City Connect</h4><p>
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Apply/Municipal-services/Water-and-sanitation/Apply-to-sink-a-borehole-or-wellpoint-or-use-an-alternative-source-of-water">Apply to sink a borehole or wellpoint</a></p></div></div></span>
<p>Once installed, you will need to
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/register/Water-and-sanitation/Register-a-borehole">register your borehole or wellpoint</a>.</p><p>If you already have a borehole or wellpoint on your property,
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/register/Water-and-sanitation/Register-a-borehole">please register it, or renew your registration</a> today. This helps us to gather information for environmental monitoring and research purposes. It is not used to charge you. Water use from boreholes and wells remains free. As an acknowledgement, we will send you a Certificate of Appreciation and a free weatherproof display sign.</p><p>See our handy
<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/Borehole_Registration_Poster_A1.pdf">borehole registration poster</a> for more information on registering your borehole or wellpoint.</p><h4>
Government regulation</h4><p>National Government gazetted new guidelines for all borehole and wellpoint use, effective from 12 January 2018:
<a href="https://archive.opengazettes.org.za/archive/ZA/2018/government-gazette-ZA-vol-631-no-41381-dated-2018-01-12.pdf" target="_blank">Government Gazette No. 41381 (Vol. 631)</a>.</p><ul><li>Borehole or wellpoint water use must be metered and all users are required to keep records and have these available for inspection</li><li>Permission from the national Department of Water and Sanitation to sell or buy borehole or wellpoint water</li></ul><p>See our
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/Residential-utility-services/Residential-water-and-sanitation-services/water-restrictions-explained">water restrictions </a>page for more information.</p><p>The availability of groundwater depends on soil conditions. Good groundwater can be found in most parts of Cape Town, making it possible to install boreholes or wellpoints. Using this water is free; however, it needs to be used responsibly as over-extraction harms the environment.</p>
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<h2 class="sectHeading">Treated effluent re-use</h2></span>
<p>We actively promote the use of treated effluent (recycled water) for irrigation, construction or industrial purposes as a way to conserve Cape Town’s limited water supply.</p><p>Treated effluent, or recycled water, is wastewater that has been treated at a wastewater treatment (or sewerage) works and then piped via a separate network of pipes to consumers. Using treated effluent is much cheaper than using drinking water.</p><p>Treated effluent can be supplied to large water users such as industry, sports clubs, golf clubs, large new developments, and schools. However, the availability of service is dependent on the location of your property and other factors, such as expected consumption.</p>
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<i class="info note"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Please note</h4><p>
<b></b>We cannot guarantee an uninterrupted supply of treated effluent, nor the quality of the treated effluent. Drinking water will still be regarded as our primary service.</p></div></div></span>
<p>For treated effluent tariffs, see annexures 6 in the <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Financial%20documents/Water%20and%20Sanitation-Water%20Tariffs.pdf" target="_blank"> Water and Sanitation - Water Consumptive Tariff Sheet</a>. For more information see our
<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Bylaws%20and%20policies/Treated%20Effluent%20Amendment%20By-law%202015.pdf" target="_blank">Treated Effluent Amendement By-law</a>,
<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Forms%2c%20notices%2c%20tariffs%20and%20lists/Treated%20effluent%20collection%20points.pdf" target="_blank">Treated Effluent Collection Points </a>and
<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Procedures%2c%20guidelines%20and%20regulations/Treated%20Effluent%20FAQs_branded.pdf" target="_blank">Treated Effluent FAQs</a>.<br> </p><h2 class="sectHeading">Operating as a water services intermediary</h2><p>There are strict conditions for the management of a facility or operation that supplies drinking-quality water for domestic purposes (drinking, cooking, bathing). This includes matters relating to treatment processes and monitoring.</p><p>You need to apply to operate as a water services intermediary (WSI), if you plan to go ‘off the municipal water grid’ or you want to operate as a WSI and provide drinking-quality water for:</p><ul><li>domestic or household purposes</li><li>residential complexes, a business organisation, or commercial farms, etc</li><li>those living, working on or visiting your property</li></ul>
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<i class="info citycard"></i></div><div class="desc"><h4>City Connect</h4><p>
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Apply/Municipal-services/Water-and-sanitation/apply-to-install-and-use-an-alternative-water-system/Apply%20to%20install%20and%20use%20an%20alternative%20water%20system">Apply to operate as a Water Services Intermediary</a></p></div></div></span>
<h2 class="sectHeading">Contact us</h2><h4>
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Departments/Water%20and%20Sanitation">
Water and Sanitation Department</a></h4><p>
<em>Telephone:<br>
<a>0860 103 089</a></em></p><p>
<em>Email:<br>
<a href="mailto:water@capetown.gov.za">
water@capetown.gov.za</a></em></p> | | GP0|#9a68413a-b308-4f30-b72d-f669201ff297;L0|#09a68413a-b308-4f30-b72d-f669201ff297|Alternative water sources;GTSet|#ef3a64a2-d764-44bc-9d69-3a63d3fadea1;GPP|#5b05eb19-5ba7-4779-bfce-c75d19df1d57;GPP|#39d66b11-2134-4df5-8360-0bc5e66e8f4f;GPP|#245ec7aa-a528-4cd3-bcac-597c292db711;GP0|#305a226a-7932-4f0a-aec1-a9d35a4dc7f1;L0|#0305a226a-7932-4f0a-aec1-a9d35a4dc7f1|Alternative water sources;GPP|#b7d85630-8bda-4b28-adc9-6def4cb10e31;GPP|#a3964d56-b74d-4d64-95c1-ff381a88a277;GP0|#27ab992f-ddc5-4f91-8baf-fd1cece3b045;L0|#027ab992f-ddc5-4f91-8baf-fd1cece3b045|Alternative water sources;GPP|#dc7d603c-ae6b-49eb-8ff7-8f48e6169510;GPP|#99fac000-f3ac-4774-9ffd-e5e59a130e21;GPP|#e88ff549-973f-4e3c-a46c-cfbe61bd6a24;GP0|#9035609b-afd9-4a7a-a9d2-0053c87123f9;L0|#09035609b-afd9-4a7a-a9d2-0053c87123f9|Alternative water sources;GPP|#1af929fe-1974-4dbe-8aba-fedc6dbd4c01;GPP|#d6c1debf-2fe6-4caf-8748-a5126af00c53 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Learn about alternative water resources and technologies for the home and business. | 0 |