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Level 1 water restrictions

The City of Tshwane is calling on all residents and businesses to reduce water consumption to save the City’s reservoirs from running dry, resulting in water shortages and subsequent prolonged water supply interruptions.

The City has been cited as one of the high-consuming metros in Gauteng. Rand Water pumps 80 million litres to Tshwane per day, which is 18% more than the City’s permitted limit.

Despite this water intake that is over the limit, the City is experiencing challenges with some of its reservoirs due to the high level of consumption by Tshwane residents.

In the past few weeks, consumption by businesses and households had increased significantly, resulting in a steep decline of the City’s overall reservoir storage capacity.

It is against this backdrop that the City has to comply with a request by the national Department of Water and Sanitation for municipalities in Gauteng to put in place tougher water restrictions and to ensure that these restrictions are enforced.

Residents are further reminded that the Level 1 water restrictions that were imposed previously in line with the Water Supply By-law were never withdrawn and are still applicable.

The City will impose fines, restrict water supply or disconnect water supply to consumers who do not comply with the water restrictions.

The level at which our customers are consuming water means that water restrictions are inevitable and are the only viable option to save the City’s distribution network from collapsing.

It must be emphasised that if the current consumption behaviour by residents does not change, the City might have to adjust the water restrictions to Level 2 or higher, which will have financial implications for consumers due to the associated change in water tariffs, and might also result in water supply interruptions.

Residents are thus reminded of the following specific Level 1 water restrictions:

  • Do not water or irrigate gardens with a hosepipe or sprinkler system between 06:00 and 18:00.
  • Do not use a hosepipe to clean driveways or patios.
  • Do not wash vehicles with a hosepipe.
  • Do not fill or top up swimming pools or water features.

The City urges all residents to make a concerted effort to reduce water usage by adhering to the Level 1 water restrictions. Punitive measures will be imposed against transgressors.

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