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Cape Town Water Strategy<h2 class="sectHeading">​​​​​​​​​​The Cape Town Water Strategy</h2> <span> <blockquote cite="#"><p>​ <em>​​​​​"The harsh lessons we learned during our brush with Day Zero have, in a sense, allowed us to get on the front foot in building resilience towards climate change. It is an honour and a privilege to be entrusted with the responsibility of leading this initiative, together with the Water and Sanitation management team."</em>​ <b>Michael Webster</b><cite>Executive Director: Water and Sanitation</cite></p></blockquote></span><span> <h2 class="sectHeading">​​​​​​​​​​Five commitments</h2></span> <p>To achieve the vision of becoming a water-sensitive city, we have made the following five commitments:</p> <span> <div class="infographic bg-font-adjust-bg">​​​​​​​​​​ <figure> <img class="responsive" alt="placeholder" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Inline%20Images/WaterStrategy-100.jpg" style="width:104px;" /></figure> <figcaption> <p> <span class="infoGraphicSpan">CAPE TOWN'S WATER STRATEGY</span><br>​​<strong>dOWNLOAD THE FULL STRATEGY</strong></p> <a title="title" class="btn dark-blue" href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/City%20strategies%2c%20plans%20and%20frameworks/Cape%20Town%20Water%20Strategy.pdf" target="_blank"> <i class="icon download"></i>Download PDF</a> </figcaption> </div></span> <h4>Safe access to water and sanitation</h4><p>The City of Cape Town will work hard to facilitate <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/residential-utility-services/residential-water-and-sanitation-services/water-and-sanitation-services-and-costs-for-formal-housing">safe access to basic water and sanitation for all residents</a>. In particular, the City will work with communities in <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/residential-utility-services/residential-water-and-sanitation-services/water-and-sanitation-services-in-informal-settlements">informal settlements</a> and with other stakeholders to improve the daily experience of access to water and sanitation, with an emphasis on building trust and increasing safety within these communities through this process.</p><h4>Wise use</h4><p>The City will promote the <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/greener-living/water-wise-in-the-home/saving-water">wise use</a> of water by all water users through <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/residential-utility-services/residential-water-and-sanitation-services/water-and-sanitation-services-and-costs-for-formal-housing">pricing</a>, <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/residential-utility-services/residential-water-and-sanitation-services/know-your-water-regulations">regulations</a> and <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/Education-and-research-materials/Graphics-and-educational-material/water-saving-resources">public education campaigns</a>. The City will also maintain focus on <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/City%20strategies%2c%20plans%20and%20frameworks/WCWDM_Strategy_doc.pdf" target="_blank">water demand management</a> interventions, such as reducing leaks and bursts and <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/residential-utility-services/residential-water-and-sanitation-services/water-rationing">pressure management</a>.</p><h4>Sufficient and reliable water</h4><p>The City will ensure there is sufficient water that is reliably available from diverse sources.  These sources include <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/residential-utility-services/residential-water-and-sanitation-services/groundwater-extraction">groundwater</a>, water reuse and desalination. A full programme of projects that will increase available water supply by over 300 million litres per day, at a cost of approximately R5,7 billion, is already in the pipeline.</p><p>The timing and composition of the programme are reviewed as information and circumstances change. <br></p><h4>Shared benefit</h4><p>The City will work with key stakeholders in the Western Cape Water Supply System to ensure the economic, social and environmental benefits that come from our shared water resources are maximised.</p><h4>The end goal - a water-sensitive city</h4><p>The City will actively facilitate Cape Town's transition into a city which is sensitive to our water resources, and which makes optimal use of stormwater pipes and urban waterways for flood control, <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/residential-utility-services/residential-water-and-sanitation-services/groundwater-extraction">aquifer recharge</a> and recreation.</p> <span> <div class="infographic bg-font-adjust-bg">​​​​​​​​​​ <figure><img class="responsive" alt="placeholder" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Inline%20Images/Water_Strategy_Launch.jpg" /> </figure><figcaption> <p> <span class="infoGraphicSpan">WATER STRATEGY LAUNCH</span>​​<strong><br>Download THE Presentation</strong></p> <a title="title" class="btn dark-blue" href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/Water_Strategy_Launch_Presentation.pdf" target="_blank"><i class="icon download"></i>Download PDF</a> </figcaption> </div> </span> <span> <h2 class="sectHeading">​​​​​​​​​​The end of water restrictions?</h2> <p>Unfortunately, a water supply system which could completely shield the City from the effects of drought is simply not affordable given the economic structure of our society. Although the new build programme will reduce the likelihood that restrictions will be necessary, some level of restriction may be needed during times of low rainfall going forward.</p> <p> <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/greener-living/water-wise-in-the-home/water-restrictions-explained">View the water restrictions page</a>.</p> <span> <h2 class="sectHeading">​​​​​​​​​​Contact us</h2> <p> <strong><a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Departments/Water%20and%20Sanitation%20Department">Water and Sanitation Department</a></strong></p> <p> <em>Telephone:</em><br><em><a>0860 089 103</a></em><br><br><em>Email:</em><br><a href="mailto:water@capetown.gov.za"><em>water@capetown.gov.za</em></a></p></span></span>GP0|#c33f89a4-94e8-49d8-8450-7d4c1edca153;L0|#0c33f89a4-94e8-49d8-8450-7d4c1edca153|Cape Town Water Strategy;GTSet|#dc1a8a1b-0357-45bc-b768-7d9a89c8ef94;GPP|#780150fb-25ca-42e5-8afb-af3efe7e13a3The Cape Town Water Strategy and its five commitments to the city.0

 

 

Cape Town Water Strategy Launch Presentation7244974GP0|#80bb13fd-df6b-452c-8b83-3168050363ea;L0|#080bb13fd-df6b-452c-8b83-3168050363ea|Presentation;GTSet|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP|#5340fe0b-73a7-472c-bef7-04e450fb5c4f;GPP|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e2020-02-18T22:00:00Z
Water Outlook Report: October 20203247209GP0|#26e2df05-7764-4c74-b967-8ad28a2f21d4;L0|#026e2df05-7764-4c74-b967-8ad28a2f21d4|Report;GTSet|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP|#74dbb0ce-0b0a-42e0-958b-10ee25e7fefd;GPP|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e2020-09-30T22:00:00Z

 

 

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