Sectional title schemes and level 5 water restrictions
Category Newsletter: Article
By now, you should know that the persistent drought and water crisis has prompted the City of Cape Town to implement Level 5 Water Restrictions.
These new restrictions mean that each person will now need to limit their water consumption drastically to just 87 litres of water per day and an overall target for the metro of 500 million litres per day.
Municipal drinking water may only be used for essential washing, cooking and drinking purposes and may only be used indoors. The cap on water usage per domestic property is 20kl per month and heavy fines upwards of R5 000 will apply to property owners who exceed this.
For sectional title schemes, the management of water usage can be problematic in cases where there are no sub-meters or prepaid water meters. This means that the relevant Bodies Corporate need to take urgent steps to ensure that all residents and property owners adhere to the new restrictions. An overall vigilance should be adopted and any water usage that appears to contravene the restrictions should immediately be stopped.
It is suggested that the trustees and managing agents of sectional title scheme inform all residents, even if they are tenants to ensure that each and every occupant is aware of just how little water they should be using each month.
The City of Cape Town has warned that the water crisis is very real and requires critical steps to be taken by each resident to reduce their water consumption, especially as the rainy season is now largely over, having failed to bring about the anticipated increase in the water levels. Heavy fines are on the cards for those who do not adhere to the restrictions.
Daily awareness should be adhered to and residents should also be on the look-out for any emergency announcements in regard to water usage. Each household should undertake a critical look at its water usage and aim to cut theirs to the absolute minimum.
Water cutting tips from the city include:
- Only flush the toilet when necessary and do not use it as a dustbin.
- Cut showers to two minutes maximum. A standard (non-water-saving) showerhead can use up to 16 litres of water per minute.
- Collect your shower, bath and basin water and re-use it to flush your toilet, water the garden and wash your car.
- Wait for a full load before running washing machines and dishwashers. The rinse water from some washing machines can be re-used for the next wash cycle.
- Use a cup instead of running taps in the bathroom or kitchen when brushing teeth, shaving, drinking, etc.
- Defrost foods in the fridge or naturally, rather than placing it under running water.
For more information, visit the city’s website at http://www.capetown.gov.za/.
Author: Coastal Property Group
