News from the SA water sector March 2018

Abstract

Day Zero on the back of drought in southern Africa – lessons for the future Cape Town has become the latest poster child of drought in the southern African region. The dramatic declaration of Day Zero — the date on which the taps are turned off — has caught the attention of the world. Indeed, in light of this looming deadline, now set for July 7 of this year, the city is facing the implementation of unprecedented water restrictions, such as a daily limit of 50 ℓ of water per person; severe, mandatory decreases in water usage by agricultural users and commercial properties; and complete bans of unnecessary water usage, such as pools and washing cars. But the Cape Town experience is not an isolated one: This development follows stark drought episodes in the broader southern African region on the back of the 2014 El Niño, which has been recognised as the most severe in 20 years.

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