Can the CoCT afford to relax water restrictions this winter?

#WaterWatch

Can the CoCT afford to relax water restrictions this winter?

6 July 2018 8:27 AM

Dr Kevin Winter, from the Future Water Institute at University of Cape Town, says the City of Cape Town doesn't have to wait for the Department of Water and Sanitation to relax water restrictions.

He says the department is simply acting responsibly by saying that the restrictions can only be relaxed at the end of winter or when the dam levels reach 85% (whichever comes first).

The City of Cape Town on the other hand says it cannot relax the restrictions without the department's consent. Winter says the City at this point can only make sure that it stays within the water license requirements issued by the department.

Read: If CoCT gets its way, Capetonians could see some let up of water restrictions

We are only approaching close to where we were in 2015 in terms of dam levels so there is nothing to celebrate just yet, the days are still too early in terms of what we anticipate.
— Dr Kevin Winter, senior lecturer for Department of Environmental and Geographical Sciences

There's been concerns about the tariffs that residents are to pay to make up for the loss of income in the City's finances.

Read: #WATERWATCH: Restrictions to be lifted when dam levels reach 85% says DWS

We are paying for the distribution of water and not the water itself and that is the important thing for creating a stable and sustainable income.
— Dr Kevin Winter, senior lecturer for Department of Environmental and Geographical Sciences

Right now we shouldn't be focusing more on what's in the dams, we should be focusing more on how water is being used, the volume that's being used to test whether the City is in control to be able to manage the demand.
— Dr Kevin Winter, senior lecturer for Department of Environmental and Geographical Sciences

To hear the rest of the interview with Dr Kevin Winter, listen below:

Written by: Lengwadishang Ramphele