Save like a local: how visitors can help during Cape Town’s water crisis

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Cape Town is currently experiencing one of the worst droughts in recent history, which has led to a serious water crisis. The region is severely water-stressed, and this has an impact on both locals and tourists.

theewaterskloof dam water shortage

The Theewaterskloof Dam, one of the dams which supplies Cape Town’s water.

We need your help

We need you to save like a local, and keep your usage to under 50 litres per day. You can still have a fantastic holiday without wasting resources, and we ask that you take special care when you visit. We love Cape Town, and we want it to remain a wonderful destination for future generations. If we all work to conserve our precious resources, we can make a big difference!

How this will affect your holiday

While we’re doing all we can to ensure Cape Town remains a sustainable destination and your stay is comfortable, there are a few ways this might affect you as a visitor. Some accommodation establishments have closed their pools, saunas and steam rooms, and removed bath plugs, to limit non-essential water use. Please check with your chosen accommodation. We thank you for understanding.

10 tips to save like a local

  1. Choose to stay in accommodation that has water-saving and contingency plans in place. Make sure you call and ask before booking, so you know exactly what to expect.
  2. Re-use your towels instead of asking for a new one daily.
  3. Try to flush the toilet as little as possible. Each flush uses between 6 and 14 litres, depending on the kind of toilet.
  4. Use a cup to rinse your mouth when you brush your teeth rather than letting the taps run.
  5. Limit your showers to under 90 seconds, and avoid bathing.
  6. Report leaking taps and toilets as soon as you notice them.
  7. Avoid washing clothes until you have a full load’s worth of laundry, or make use of water-wise laundry services such as Green Planet Laundry.
  8. Take a dip in the ocean and tidal pools instead of swimming pools, and maybe even spare yourself a shower.
  9. If possible, use a dishwasher to clean dishes. Just make sure you only run it when it is full.
  10. Use this nifty calculator to make sure you’re helping to save water.

 

For more information visit capetown.gov.za/thinkwater

 

Source: capetowntravel.