Water inspections are set to continue in neighbourhoods in Cape Town, including Uitzicht in Durbanville and other northern suburbs such as Parow Industrial, Goodwood, Table View and Cape Gate.
Faced with below-average rainfall and increasing water demand, the water inspectorate of the City’s Water and Sanitation Sirectorate has ramped-up its efforts to ensure residents and businesses are adhering to the Water Bylaw of 2010 and the 2018 bylaw amendment, according to a media release by the City.
Other neigbourhoods to be visited include those in the south, central areas, Atlantic seaboard and Helderberg, such as Westlake Business Park, Plumstead, Belgravia, Meadowridge, Constantia, Kenilworth, Sea Point, Table View, Somerset West and shopping centres in Somerset West.
“Throughout the summer season the water inspectorate has increased its checks across Cape Town to regulate and enforce the City of Cape Town’s Water Bylaw and deter excessive water use,” according to the release.
During December and January, water inspectors visited Sandown, Parklands, Bergvliet, Brackenfell South, Somerset West, Tokai, Monte Vista, Heathfield, Gordons Bay, Ottery, Groot Phesantekraal View and Brackenfell South.
The aim of these inspections is to check for:
- Water wastage, both private and municipal;
- Leaks on City infrastructure, as well as on private properties;
- Illegal water connections;
- Water Bylaw Schedule 1 permanent restrictions, which include the restrictions on dampening building sand or other building material and hosing down hard surfaces or paved areas with potable water;
- Keeping swimming pools covered to avoid evaporation when not in use;
- Awareness of the current dam levels and water-wise initiatives by distributing pamphlets at houses and shopping malls;
- Contraventions to issue notices and fines where applicable.
Spot fine
Transgressors can be issued a spot fine ranging from R1 500 to R5 000, each time they are found violating the bylaw.
“Checking properties for compliance with the City’s Water By-laws is one of several measures aimed at reducing water wastage,” a City press release said. “These efforts are supported by ongoing programmes such as leak detection across the City’s water supply network, annual pipe replacement and pressure management.
“Prior to the visits, residents will receive a knock-and-drop letter informing them of the inspection taking place in their area. Teams will check the GIS mapping system to determine which properties have a swimming pool and those residents will be visited to ensure that their swimming pool has an appropriate cover. City officials will be wearing City attire (hat and CoCT branded T-shirt) and will carry their official City identity tag with them.” Residents can verify this by contacting the City’s call centre on 0860 103 089.
Zahid Badroodien, Mayco member for Water and Sanitation, urged residents “to work together to reduce non-essential outdoor water use and remain below the 975 million litres per day usage target.”
New water installations
On further questions by TygerBurger Badroodien said the City implemented proactive annual inspection schedules that cover all areas within its jurisdiction. In addition, water inspectors conduct inspections on new or altered water installations in line with approved building plans submitted to the City.
“Inspections are not based on a single fixed consumption threshold. The current programme forms part of the City’s broader water management efforts, to sensitise and continue to advocate and encourage residents to use water wisely and efficiently at all times, particularly as dam levels are lower compared to the same period in previous years.”
According to Badroodien both residential and business properties will be inspected.
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