South Africa’s Cape Town eases water rationing

South Africa’s second city Cape Town, battling its worst drought in 100 years, announced Monday that it would ease severe water rationing after significant rains in the region.

The Western Cape region had gone without substantial rain for more than three years, forcing Cape Town authorities to slash residential water consumption.

“Cape Town’s dam levels are nearing 70 percent of storage capacity due to good rainfall at the beginning of winter and the phenomenal conservation efforts of Capetonians,” said Deputy Mayor Ian Neilson.

“Water restrictions and the associated tariffs are thus to be conservatively lowered,” starting October 1, he said in a statement.

Residents can now use 70 litres a day, up from 50 litres.

By comparison, a single toilet flush uses nine litres of water and a one-minute-long shower uses 10 litres.

Until June, the city which is the seat of parliament and a major tourist draw, had been projected to run out of water as early as July, forcing the closure of household taps and severe restrictions.

The drought also affected water intensive companies, such as winemakers who make up 11 percent of the southwestern region’s economic output and sustain 300,000 jobs.

According to the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV), output from Africa’s top wine producer is set to slump by over 20 percent this year.