Cape Town scoops major water award in Paris
15 December 2015
Reason for award:
2015 C40 Cities Awards
- To: City of Cape Town’s Water Conservation and Water Demand Management Programme
- By: 2015 C40 Cities Awards
On the 3rd of December 2015, our Water Conservation and Water Demand Management Programme (WCWDM) was announced as the winner in the Adaptation Implementation category at the 2015 C40 Cities Awards in Paris. The award reaffirms our international recognition as a leading city in the global effort to address climate change.
We, as the City of Cape Town, are extremely proud of the WCWDM programme which has been instrumental in establishing Cape Town as a national leader in reducing water demand and losses. It is a concrete example of the manner in which cities are in a unique position to drive initiatives on the ground that prepare us for the projected climatic changes, particularly in respect of an expected reduction in annual average rainfall.
Accepting the award in Paris
© City of Cape Town
In Cape Town, we have taken a proactive, long-term approach to water management and are working conscientiously to reduce water demand. Over the last 15 years, through effective resource management and a shared responsibility campaign with residents, we have already seen water savings of more than 30%. This is despite significant development and the more than 30% increase in population in our city since 2001.
Our WCWDM programme focuses on both technical and behavioural aspects of saving water. Some of the technical interventions which have made excellent progress in minimising water losses include improved asset maintenance, leak detection and repairs.
Successful control of water demand growth has allowed the City to avoid or delay expansions to the water system, meaning massive savings in emissions as well as financial savings.
The C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group is a network of the world's leading cities in the international effort to combat and respond to climate change. The group gives recognition to the successes of cities that demonstrate world-leading policies and programmes that reduce carbon emissions and improve resilience.
It is a great honour for us to be part of the C40 Cities Group and we remain committed to a future that is more energy-secure, resource-efficient and resilient to the effects of climate change. We are extremely proud to be ranked in the group of cities actively addressing climate change.
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
