Water Restrictions

As we are situated in a water-scarce region, the City imposes Level 1 restrictions (10% water savings) at all times. Because the City’s dam levels are lower than the norm, Level 2 restrictions(20% savings) have been approved to preserve the long-term sustainability of the resource.

With Level 2 restrictions approved, customers will be charged from 1 January 2016 according to 20% reduction tariffs (water | sanitation) to encourage greater water-use efficiency. The tariff is designed to be revenue-neutral when applied to the 10% reduced consumption levels. In other words, if the customer reduces their consumption by 10%, their bill should remain at a similar rand value. Indigent customers’ free allocation will not be affected. The free first 6 kl of water and 4.2 kl of sanitation a month for all residents will also not be affected.

The 2015/16 domestic full tariffs (stand-alone houses) for water are as follows:

Steps	Unit*	Level 1 (10% reduction) Normal tariffs Rands (incl VAT)	Level 2 (20% reduction) During restrictions Rands (incl VAT)
Step 1 (0 < 6 kl)	Per kl	R0	R0
Step 2 (>6 < 10,5 kl)	Per kl	R11,07	R11,66
Step 3 (>10,5 < 20 kl)	Per kl	R15,87	R18,24
Step 4 (>20 < 35 kl)	Per kl	R23,51	R29,75
Step 5 (>35 < 50 kl)	Per kl	R29,03	R45,40
Step 6 (>50 kl)	Per kl	R38,30	R85,09

Steps**	Unit*	Level 1 (10% reduction) Normal tariffs Rands (incl VAT)	Level 2 (20% reduction) During restrictions Rands (incl VAT)
Step 1 (0 < 4,2 kl)	Per kl	R0	R0
Step 2 (>4.2 < 7,35 kl)	Per kl	R10,44	R10,99
Step 3 (>7,35 < 14 kl)	Per kl	R18,53	R21,31
Step 4 (>14 < 24,5 kl)	Per kl	R20,26	R25,64
Step 5 (>24,5 < 35 kl)	Per kl	R21,27	R33,24

Domestic cluster (flats/complexes supplied by a single meter), commercial, backyarder and industrial tariffs, or any of the other specialised tariffs can be viewed here.

Restrictions applicable to all customers

• Watering (with drinking water from municipal supply) of gardens, flower beds, sports fields, parks, lawns and other open spaces are allowed only on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays for a maximum of one hour per premises either before 09:00 or after 16:00. This includes watering with buckets or automated sprinkler systems.
• No watering will be permitted within 24 hours of rainfall that provides adequate saturation. Facilities/customers making use of boreholes or other sources are not exempt from this.
• When watering gardens, parks, open spaces, etc. with alternative water resources (e.g. boreholes, wellpoints, grey water re-use, treated effluent water, spring water and rain water harvesting) you are encouraged to do so only before 09:00 or after 16:00 on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
• If alternative water sources (e.g. boreholes, wellpoints, grey water re-use, treated effluent water, spring water and rain water harvesting) are utilised, all customers must ensure that they display appropriate signage clearly visible from a public thoroughfare. See guidelines for signage below.
• Special users (e.g. golf courses and schools) can apply to the Director: Water & Sanitation for exemption from any of the above restrictions by emailing a completed Special Exemption Application form to Water.Restrictions@capetown.gov.za.
• No automatic top-up systems are allowed for swimming pools. It is recommended that all swimming pools be covered by a pool cover to avoid evaporation when not in use.
• Ornamental water fountains and water features are to be operated only by recycling the water.

• Washing of vehicles (including recreational vehicles and watercraft) is only allowed with hosepipes fitted with automatic self-closing devices, or with waterless products.
• No washing or hosing down of hard-surfaced or paved areas with drinking water from a tap is allowed.
• Residents are encouraged to replace all taps, showerheads and other plumbing components with water efficient parts or technologies.
• Residents who wish to apply for an exemption can apply to the City’s Director: Water and Sanitation by emailing a completed Special Exemption Application form toWater.Restrictions@capetown.gov.za.

Restrictions applicable to businesses (commercial and industrial)

• Watering of plants in nurseries, farms, vegetable gardens, etc. for commercial gain will be exempted from water restrictions on application to the Director: Water and Sanitation by emailing a completed Special Exemption Application form to Water.Restrictions@capetown.gov.za.
• When washing vehicles or equipment, use only water efficient or water recycling technology and equipment or waterless products. Display of water saving and water efficiency messages is encouraged.
• Informal car washes are to use only buckets and not hosepipes.
• Washing of paving and hard surfaces with potable water is prohibited. However, areas where prior permission in writing has been granted (such as for abattoirs and food processing industries) will be exempt (apply here).
• All taps, showerheads and other plumbing components in public places must be replaced with water efficient parts or technologies.

Restrictions applicable to institutions and government departments

• Watering of plants in Council and other government nurseries will be exempted from the water restrictions on application to the Director: Water and Sanitation by emailing a completed Special Exemption Application form to Water.Restrictions@capetown.gov.za.
• Washing of vehicles is only allowed with hosepipes fitted with automatic self-closing devices, or with waterless products.
• No washing or hosing down of hard-surfaced or paved areas with drinking water from a tap is allowed.
• All taps, showerheads and other plumbing components in public places must be replaced with water efficient parts or technologies.