Residents and businesses are reminded to be water wise at all times to prevent wasting water.

The City of Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Directorate would like to remind residents and businesses of some basic tips to help them find and fix leaks on their properties. Also, there are some regulations in the City’s Water By-law that are in effect at all times, even though water restrictions were lifted from 1 November 2020.

‘When residents and businesses have the necessary information to identify leaks, they can make informed decisions to help prevent wasting water, and manage their usage, and not be taken by surprise by unexpected high water bills because of undetected water leaks on their properties.

‘While Cape Town has also been experiencing and enjoying the hot weather, residents are reminded of the restrictions related to pools, outdoor water use such as gardening, vehicle cleaning and other aspects, that are in place at all times, to help save water because we are in a water-scarce region,’ said Councillor Zahid Badroodien, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation.

The following regulations are in place at all times:

Swimming pools

• All swimming pools must be covered by a pool cover to avoid evaporation when not in use.
• Automatic top up systems using a float valve fed from a municipal drinking water source to supply swimming pools and garden ponds are not allowed.

Outdoor water use and groundwater

• Watering only allowed before 09:00 or after 18:00 (to avoid evaporation losses in the heat of the day). This applies to watering with municipal drinking water, and is also recommended for alternative water e.g. borehole and well-point water.
• Automated sprinkler systems (where permitted) must be able to be correctly positioned and be able to be adjusted to prevent water wastage.
• Hosepipes used for watering or washing vehicles, boats and caravans (when permitted) must be fitted with a controlling device such as a spray nozzle or automatic self-closing device.
• No hosing down of hard-surfaced or paved areas with municipal drinking water allowed. Water 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.
• Outdoor taps, except those on residential properties, must be secured to prevent unauthorised use.
• The City recommends that alternative water sources like boreholes and well-point water be used sparingly and efficiently.

Efficiency of taps, toilets and showers

• The maximum flow rate of new and replaced showerheads may not exceed 7 litres per minute.
• The maximum flow rate of any tap installed at a washbasin may not exceed 6 litres per minute.
• New or replaced toilet cisterns may not exceed 6 litres in capacity.
• Basins and showers provided at public facilities must be fitted with demand-type taps.

Car washes

• Commercial car wash industries must comply with industry best-practice norms regarding water usage per car washed (e.g. recycling and re-using a minimum of 50% of the water used).

Construction sites

• Municipal drinking water may not be used to dampen building sand and other building material to prevent it from being blown away.

Leaks:
• Check your water fittings and pipes regularly for leaks. Residents can learn how to do so here or see the table below.

Three simple tests to detect a toilet leak

• Listen for the water trickling into the toilet bowl.
• Press a piece of toilet paper against the inside back surface of the bowl.  If it gets wet, you probably have a leak.

• Put 15 drops of food colouring into the toilet cistern. If after 15 minutes the water in the toilet bowl has changed colour, then there is a leak.  If you cannot afford to call a plumber to fix a serious toilet problem, use the little stopcock/angle valve tap at the base of the toilet to keep it turned off between flushes.

Source: City Of Cape Town