New water restriction tariffs hit Cape Town: what you need to know

[Geoff.D]

Recently with the proposed by-laws from the City of Cape Town there is mention of both well points and boreholes.
People tend to think they are the same thing and refer in many instances to water drawing devices as just boreholes. Yes they both draw water from the earth, but do so differently and from different depth and the proposed legislation from local or national government is confusing as there are overlaps and I think they should be treated differently. snip
Its a debate that authorities need to address. For simplistic purposes well points should be excluded from any tariff model in my opinion.

Totally agree with everything you have posted.

Another factor about well points is that in parts of the cape flats, there is a layer of extremely dense clay about 15 to 20m below the surface, which traps the surface water and prevents water from penetrating deeper and returning to the main aquifer, which is much deeper. Hence when you draw that water via a well point, all you are doing is circulating the water, if you used it for gardening. So as you say, the process is actually contributing to make that water "cleaner".

It is only if a well point penetrates that clay layer that the picture might be slightly different. In Panorama many years ago, we had a well point and the water was exclusively used for the garden. It never ran dry, it yielded enough to allow for the watering of the garden three times a week.

We tried to penetrate the clay layer, but the layer was 15m thick at the point where our property was, making it no longer a simple exercise. In my opinion we had transitioned from a well point to a borehole with that point. The water was cleaner and could have easily been filtered sufficiently for human consumption. We never converted that hole to a borehole and closed it up.

I also do not see why the local council wants to regulate the use of boreholes more strictly than what the national regulations do. Their entire case is just too weak to do that.

 

[xrapidx]

I also do not see why the local council wants to regulate the use of boreholes more strictly than what the national regulations do. Their entire case is just too weak to do that.

They also want to control your use of rain water - its completely draconian.

 

[theratman]

They also want to control your use of rain water - its completely draconian.

Ridiculous.

 

[biometrics]

LEVEL 6B WATER RESTRICTIONS
Page 1 of 2


The City of Cape Town has implemented Level 6B Water Restrictions, effective from
1 February 2018 until further notice.

RESTRICTIONS APPLICABLE TO ALL CUSTOMERS
 No watering/irrigation with municipal drinking water allowed. This includes watering/irrigation
of gardens, vegetables, agricultural crops, sports fields, golf courses, nurseries, parks and
other open spaces. Nurseries and customers involved in agricultural activities or with historical
gardens may apply for exemption. For more information, visit
www.capetown.gov.za/thinkwater.
 The use of borehole/wellpoint water for outdoor purposes, including garden use, topping up
of swimming pools and hosing down surfaces, is strongly discouraged in order to prevent the
depletion of aquifers in the current dire drought situation. Borehole/wellpoint water should
rather be used for toilet flushing.
 Should borehore/wellpoint water be used for garden irrigation, this must be limited to a
maximum of one hour only on Tuesdays and Saturdays before 09:00 or after 18:00.
 All City of Cape Town borehole and wellpoint users are expected to comply with all national
Department of Water and Sanitation regulations pertaining to borehole/wellpoint usage,
including the notice in Government Gazette No. 41381 (Vol. 631) of 12 January 2018.
Borehole/wellpoint water use must be metered and all users are required to keep records
and have these available for inspection.
 Permission from the national Department of Water and Sanitation is required in order to sell or
buy borehole/wellpoint water.
 All boreholes and wellpoints must be registered with the City and must display the official City
of Cape Town signage clearly visible from a public thoroughfare. Visit
www.capetown.gov.za/thinkwater for how to register.
 All properties where alternative, non-drinking water resources are used (including rainwater
harvesting, greywater, treated effluent water and spring water) must display signage to this
effect clearly visible from a public thoroughfare. Visit www.capetown.gov.za/thinkwater for
further information.
 No topping up (manual/automatic) filling or refilling of swimming pools with municipal
drinking water is allowed.
 All private swimming pools must be fitted with a cover.
 The use of portable or any temporary play pools is prohibited.
 No washing of vehicles (including taxis), trailers, caravans and boats with municipal drinking
water allowed. These must be washed with non-drinking water or cleaned with waterless
products or dry steam cleaning processes. This applies to all customers, including formal and
informal car washes.
 No washing or hosing down of hard-surfaced or paved areas with municipal drinking water
allowed. Users, such as abattoirs, food processing industries, care facilities, animal shelters
and other industries or facilities with special needs (health/safety related only) must apply for
exemption. For more information, visit www.capetown.gov.za/thinkwater.
 The use of municipal drinking water for ornamental water fountains or water features is
prohibited.
 Customers are strongly encouraged to install water efficient parts, fittings and technologies to
minimise water use at all taps, showerheads and other plumbing components. LEVEL 6B WATER RESTRICTIONS

Page 2 of 2



RESTRICTIONS APPLICABLE TO RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS

 All residents are required to use no more than 50 litres of municipal drinking water per person
per day in total irrespective of whether you are at home, work or elsewhere. Therefore, a
residential property with four occupants, for example, is expected to use at most 6 000 litres
per month.
 Single residential properties consuming more than 10 500 litres of municipal drinking water per
month will be prioritised for enforcement (see note 1). Properties where the number of
occupants necessitates higher consumption are encouraged to apply for an increase in
quota. For more information, visit www.capetown.gov.za/thinkwater.
 Cluster developments (flats and housing complexes) consuming more than 10 500 litres of
municipal drinking water per unit per month will be prioritised for enforcement (see note 1).
Cluster developments where the number of occupants necessitates higher consumption are
encouraged to apply for an increase in quota. For more information, visit
www.capetown.gov.za/thinkwater.
 You are encouraged to flush toilets (e.g. manually using a bucket) with greywater, rainwater
or other non-drinking water.
 No increase of the indigent water allocation over and above the free 350 litres a day will be
granted, unless through prior application and permission for specific events such as burial
ceremonies.

RESTRICTIONS APPLICABLE TO NON-RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS

 All non-residential properties (e.g. commercial and industrial properties, schools, clubs and
institutions) must ensure that their monthly consumption of municipal drinking water is
reduced by 45% compared to the corresponding period in 2015 (pre-drought). (See note 1
below.)
 All agricultural users must ensure that their monthly consumption of municipal drinking water is
reduced by 60% compared to the corresponding period in 2015 (pre-drought). (See note 1
below.)
 The operation of spray parks is prohibited.
 No new landscaping or sports fields may be established, except if irrigated only with non-
drinking water.
 For users supplied with water in terms of special contracts (notarial deeds, water service
intermediaries or water service providers), the contract conditions shall apply.

NOTE 1: Failure to comply will constitute an offence in terms of the City’s Water By-law, 2010 (or
as amended). The accused will be liable to an admission of guilt fine and, in accordance with
section 36(4), an installation of a water management device(s) at premises where the non-
compliance occurs. The cost thereof will be billed to the relevant account holder. Customers
with good reason for higher consumption need to provide the City with motivation to justify their
higher consumption.

Other restrictive measures, not detailed above, as stipulated in Schedule 1 of the Water By-law,
2010 (or as amended) still apply. Exemptions issued under Levels 4B, 5 and 6 restrictions still
apply, subject to review with the possibility of being revoked. Water pressure has been reduced
to limit consumption and water leaks, and such may cause intermittent water supply.

For further information visit www.capetown.gov.za/thinkwater or contact us at
water@capetown.gov.za

 

[C4Cat]

They also want to control your use of rain water - its completely draconian.

Isn't it more that they want to know exactly where your water is coming from?

 

[xrapidx]

Isn't it more that they want to know exactly where your water is coming from?

No - they want to tell you how to use it, and according to their rules - i.e. you can only use it to water your garden on certain days.

Blanket rule:

 

[C4Cat]

No - they want to tell you how to use it, and according to their rules - i.e. you can only use it to water your garden on certain days.

Blanket rule:
View attachment 497186

Well obviously they don't want you to connect your water to the main water supply. Think contamination. Your water hasn't been tested or treated

 

[xrapidx]

Well obviously they don't want you to connect your water to the main water supply. Think contamination. Your water hasn't been tested or treated

That isn't about that - its about them restricting your use of water from all sources, including rain water - with a blanket statement.

 

[BTTB]

Totally agree with everything you have posted.
Another factor about well points is that in parts of the cape flats, there is a layers of extremely dens clay about 15 to 20m below the surface, which traps the surface water from penetrating deeper and returning to the main aquifer, which is much deeper. Hence when you draw that water via a well point, all you are doing is circulating the if you use it for gardening. So as you say, the process is actually contributing to make that water "cleaner".

It is only if a well penetrates that clay layer that the picture might be slightly different. In Panorama many years ago, we had a well point and the water was exclusively for the garden. It never ran dry, it yielded enough to allow for the watering of the garden three times a week.

We tried to penetrate the clay layer, but the layer was 15 thick at the point where our property was, making it no longer a simple exercise. In my opinion we had transitioned from a well point to a borehole with that point. The water was cleaner and could have easily been filtered sufficiently for human consumption. We never converted that hole to a borehole and closed it up.

I also do not see why the local council wants to regulate the use of boreholes more strictly than what the national regulations do. Their entire case is just too weak to do that.

Their case is very weak. Where was the Public Participation once again?
Just regulate, regulate all the time. Their timing couldn't of sucked more too!!

Yes I can affirm the clay layer, in our case is a mere 13 meters as we are probably lower than other areas. Our well points were blown out (not drilled) with high pressure water to this depth. It was like cutting a knife through butter as it shot through the sand, the guys doing the work couldn’t add on the pipes quick enough and at around 13 meters it was like they hit a rock but you could see the clay type material coming to the surface as it was the thick clay level as you describe. At the height of summer the water only drops to around 2 meters and in winter the Cape Flats Aquifer can daylight in our area.

Drilling below this clay level would become a borehole as you mention and a whole different story as it would need to be deeper.
The surface water is slightly acidic from standing so long (ours 5.4 to 5.8), the water in the secondary aquifer is alkaline, in some cases in Philippi Horticultural Area (PHA) up to 9.2 on the pH scale.

 The use of borehole/wellpoint water for outdoor purposes, including garden use, topping up
of swimming pools and hosing down surfaces, is strongly discouraged in order to prevent the
depletion of aquifers in the current dire drought situation. Borehole/wellpoint water should
rather be used for toilet flushing.
 Should borehore/wellpoint water be used for garden irrigation, this must be limited to a
maximum of one hour only on Tuesdays and Saturdays before 09:00 or after 18:00.
 All City of Cape Town borehole and wellpoint users are expected to comply with all national
Department of Water and Sanitation regulations pertaining to borehole/wellpoint usage,
including the notice in Government Gazette No. 41381 (Vol. 631) of 12 January 2018.
Borehole/wellpoint water use must be metered and all users are required to keep records
and have these available for inspection.

Where was the public participation?

Strongly discourage .... getting tired of these terms. What happened in all the years before this one. People have had well points here forever. The potable water crisis is about dams on top of mountains 60kms away from Cape Town running dry not the copious amounts of surface water out this side.

All this regulation just means more money from us in the end.
All these laws are so ill timed its ridiculous. Its like they want to kill all the gardens off in Cape Town, some anti-green nutter is in charge. Probably one of those people who live in a house where the house occupies 90% of the property and the rest of the ground is paved with two Jucca in Pots, one on either side of the front door or gate, otherwise a concrete jungle with all water from the roof running out to the road and storm water.

 

[theratman]

Are there any updates on the water point planning? I've seen nothing in the media and it's rather concerning given how close day zero is.

 

[Ecco]

On social media I have seen tons of people still going to the beach etc. Would this not result in unwanted water wastage when people need to wash of the sand etc. Is this seen as an issue and should people be more consious of what they do and where it will require water usage?

 

[Archer]

Their case is very weak. Where was the Public Participation once again?
Just regulate, regulate all the time. Their timing couldn't of sucked more too!!

Ask for comment in December - everyone moans
Ask for comment in January - everyone moans

I sense a pattern forming

 

[xrapidx]

Where was the public participation?

Strongly discourage .... getting tired of these terms. What happened in all the years before this one. People have had well points here forever. The potable water crisis is about dams on top of mountains 60kms away from Cape Town running dry not the copious amounts of surface water out this side.

All this regulation just means more money from us in the end.
All these laws are so ill timed its ridiculous. Its like they want to kill all the gardens off in Cape Town, some anti-green nutter is in charge. Probably one of those people who live in a house where the house occupies 90% of the property and the rest of the ground is paved with two Jucca in Pots, one on either side of the front door or gate, otherwise a concrete jungle with all water from the roof running out to the road and storm water.

I bought my house with a wellpoint - whether the previous owner registered it - I don't know.

I was chatting to a guy about the metering of wellpoints - and he said it'll be a nightmare for maintenance as the meters are going to get clogged up - unless of course you treat the water first to remove sand, etc.

 

[xrapidx]

On social media I have seen tons of people still going to the beach etc. Would this not result in unwanted water wastage when people need to wash of the sand etc. Is this seen as an issue and should people be more consious of what they do and where it will require water usage?

On the same tone as the above, people should stop exercising? Do you propose people stop living?

 

[Ecco]

On the same tone as the above, people should stop exercising? Do you propose people stop living?

I don't know? I am asking. Is seen as an issue or not?

I dont see it as an issue - people should do what they want within in their 50 litre allowance. If you need to shower extra because you decided to go to the beach - you need to cut back somewhere else, everybody has different priorities.

Although some could also argue - rather avoid things like the beach to push out day zero - you can do the beach thing when the situation improves - or do what you want and when day zero comes deal with it then.

I dont know - just asking

 

[xrapidx]

I think a considerable amount of people will just pack up and leave until its over.

Personally - if my water source dries up - I'll pack up and leave.

 

[Ecco]

I think a considerable amount of people will just pack up and leave until its over.

Personally - if my water source dries up - I'll pack up and leave.

Not many people can do that, people have jobs in CT, kids have to go to school - it boggles the mind what will happen if day zero arrives

 

[The_Right_Honourable_Brit]

Roux has an ANC minister backing up his position :crylaugh: :crylaugh: ... surely that is a bad omen?

#DayZero Minister Des van Rooyen says he doesn’t believe Cape Town’s taps will run dry.

 

[Agent_Smith]

Roux has an ANC minister backing up his position :crylaugh: :crylaugh: ... surely that is a bad omen?

Unless Roux IS Des Van Rooyen?!

Mind blown!

 

[noxibox]

Are there any updates on the water point planning? I've seen nothing in the media and it's rather concerning given how close day zero is.

Gets mentioned in Cape Town newspapers fairly regularly. But basically there are many logistical issues they never even considered, including that they didn't ensure the sites were actually usable. They seem to have woken up now and are scrambling to get it ready.

At the same time businesses, including shopping centres, have been making their own plans to allow them to keep operating.

I don't know? I am asking. Is seen as an issue or not?

I dont see it as an issue - people should do what they want within in their 50 litre allowance. If you need to shower extra because you decided to go to the beach - you need to cut back somewhere else, everybody has different priorities.

Although some could also argue - rather avoid things like the beach to push out day zero - you can do the beach thing when the situation improves - or do what you want and when day zero comes deal with it then.

I dont know - just asking

I'm sure that showers at beaches are likely to have been shut off. Conveniently though beaches often have a large body of water nearby, so if one is covered in sand it can be washed off quite easily. Any on the feet can be simply brushed off at one's car. Beyond that I can't see how a beach visit would involve any additional showering at home. A normal daily shower will do. I really can't see how it would be an issue.

Well obviously they don't want you to connect your water to the main water supply. Think contamination. Your water hasn't been tested or treated

What they're proposing is telling you what you can do with it regardless of whether it is connected to the municipal supply. Regulations for interconnection are fine, but if I've collected rainwater and I'm not connecting to the municipal supply I'll use it as and when I choose. If I want to spray it on my paving at noon on the hottest day of the year that is my business.