Level 6 Water Restrictions - Cape Town

[Hooked]

What I find interesting though is that I've lived in two regions where there was hardly any water. First, in Windhoek. We used to stand outside in excitement when it rained, which wasn't often. We were told to save water, but whether there were restrictions in place I don't know because I was in the hotel business at that time and lived in. It certainly wasn't a disaster-situation as it is in the Cape now. I often used to drive from Windhoek to Jhb. and all the riverbeds which I crossed were just dry and cracked earth. So where did - and does - Windhoek get its water from? How's the situation where you are @The_Ice?

Then I lived in Oman, in the Middle East. We used to get "rain" once a year in June/July. It wasn't rain as we know it - it was just a fine drizzle that lasted for a few days. This time of the year was called Khareef and hundreds of holiday-makers from Saudi used to flock to my area - Salalah (3 hours from the Yemen border). The "rain" was always an exciting phenomenon and locals and holiday-makers would park their cars on the side of the roads leading up to the mountains, spread their mats on the sand and just sit, enjoying the drizzle. Again the question - where does Oman get its water from There were never any restrictions in place and we never ran out of water.

And how ashamed I am now when I think that in all my years in Windhoek and Oman, I never once thought about water or the possible lack of it. It was just an automatic assumption that when I open the tap, water will come out. It takes a crisis like this to make one appreciate every, single drop.

 

[blujeenz]

Hi @Andre, worth 3.5K?

If the taps do run dry, one would be able to drink pure water from distilling either borehole or rainwater and then it will be a case of money well spent.

I was facing another situation of having to buy distilled water from the chemist @ R10 per litre due to my diy experiments with elctrolytic gas where distilled water is a must, so I achieved ROI much faster.

 

[E.T.]

I dont cycle, in fact i quite dislike cyclists, but i read somewhere that the Argus people will use approximately 1.5milion litres of water for shower, kak en kook. They will however donate 2millon litres of bottled water sources from another province

 

[blujeenz]

So where did - and does - Windhoek get its water from?

According to Wkkipedia:

pioneered potable water reuse in its capital Windhoek located in the central part of Namibia, and built Sub-Saharan Africa's first large seawater desalination plant to supply a uranium mine and the city of Swakopmund with water.

 

[Hooked]

A picture is worth more than a thousand words:

http://www.capetownetc.com/news/startling-nasa-images-show-extent-of-cape-towns-water-crisis/

 

[Hooked]

Here's some useful gadgets

https://www.essentials.co.za/lifestyle/5-of-the-best-water-saving-gadgets

 

[Raindance]

I dont cycle, in fact i quite dislike cyclists, but i read somewhere that the Argus people will use approximately 1.5milion litres of water for shower, kak en kook. They will however donate 2millon litres of bottled water sources from another province

So we remove water from the current supply system which serves all in exchange for a little more which will need to be distributed in an alternative method, at extra cost and to whom's benefit?

Backwards thinking!

Regards

 

[Hooked]

I dont cycle, in fact i quite dislike cyclists, but i read somewhere that the Argus people will use approximately 1.5milion litres of water for shower, kak en kook. They will however donate 2millon litres of bottled water sources from another province

@E.T. Apparently the drinking water which will be used during the race is being brought in from other provinces. However, approximately 30,000 cyclists descend on Cape Town from other provinces and other countries. They will obviously stay in CT for at least one or two nights. That means that extra water will be used in whichever accommodation they make use of, be it hotel or private. They'll shower at least once a day - and they're not used to showering for only 1 minute, which is what I think the recommended time is now (it was 2 mins). They might even BATH, heaven forbid, to ease those aching muscles. Extra water will be used to cook their food. And even more, when they leave, water will be used to wash sheets and towels. Now that's a heavy load, excuse the pun - and this is what the problem is.

 

[Hooked]

If the taps do run dry, one would be able to drink pure water from distilling either borehole or rainwater and then it will be a case of money well spent.

I was facing another situation of having to buy distilled water from the chemist @ R10 per litre due to my diy experiments with elctrolytic gas where distilled water is a must, so I achieved ROI much faster.

@blujeenz I went to the pharmacy today to buy rubbing alcohol, thinking I'd be clever and make my own waterless hand-cleaner - and of course I use it to clean my mods. They don't have stock and neither do their suppliers, because of people stock-piling Day Zero products.

So, Vapers, grab whatever rubbing alcohol and distilled water you can get!

 

[E.T.]

@Raindance and @Hooked i am not saying i agree that the event should proceed just putting the facts -or at least the organizers version thereof- on the table

 

[Raindance]

@Raindance and @Hooked i am not saying i agree that the event should proceed just putting the facts -or at least the organizers version thereof- on the table
View attachment 121037

Estimated... Now I am no longer worried. (sarcasm)

This spandex fest being considered more important than the livelihoods of the city's residents is what is bugging me.

This estimation is based on 50 liters of water per visiting rider for two days each. This would need to be both direct and indirect water usage. What freaking genius came up with this thinking.

These visitors are not used to rationing themselves to these levels,
They have no motivation to even care about their water usage,
They will not be traveling alone, bringing family and even support teams along as well,
They may stay longer than two days and probably will. (How do you arrive, ride and leave right away again?)

Based on the above, a more realistic yet still conservative estimate would be at least 150 liters of water per visiting cyclist including entourage (one person additional) for an average of at least three days each. The final tally being water usage of at least 6.75M liters is to be expected. In return they want to bring 2M liters.
(75 liters per day per total visiting headcount consisting of one rider and one supporter)

Nice trade Mrs Major, nice trade!

 

[Jamo88]

investing in infrastructure to minimize the damage of such events clearly wasn't a priority for government

 

[Stosta]

I read a really interesting article this morning, it covers a wide range of issues that people are facing at the moment, and I would be interested to hear real people's thoughts (yours) on what is said.

What I was particularly impressed at the below...

"South African Breweries have been the first to step up to the plate. In a discussion this weekend, Mr Ricardo Tadeu, SAB’s Zone President for Africa, and Mr Des Jacobs, SABS Western Cape Regional Director, committed the Newlands brewery to fill 12-million quart bottles with water (instead of beer) from the famous spring (whose water is normally used to brew beer). The SAB network will deliver water to retail outlets in designated areas of greatest need over several weeks. The bottling of water will have to start as soon as possible to ensure sufficient stockpiles.

Work is well under way between SAB and the South African Bureau of Standards to ensure that the bottled water will meet the required quality standard. Production will begin soon, and the bottles, labelled “Water, Not for Sale”, will be delivered at outlets when Day Zero arrives. Consumers will pay R1 for each “quart” (as South Africans still refer to the large beer bottle) which is about three quarters of a litre, with a maximum limit per person. The R1 is the cost of the bottle’s deposit. The water itself is free. When the bottle is returned, empty, it will be replaced, full, at no charge."

That's about 9 million litres of water if my maths is correct (usually dodgy at best, not good for a mech user). I've seen plenty of companies with the ability to make an impact stand back and do nothing. Whether SAB could do more is up for debate I guess.

https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opi...nside-the-countdown-to-day-zero/#.WnQJ_66Wb4Y

 

[Yagya]

this is 1 of the water collection points in Claremont which is by the way on the grounds of SAB.
SAB has been using this very same water for their business since "toeka se dae" forever.
Its time they come to the party.

 

[Hooked]

If the taps do run dry, one would be able to drink pure water from distilling either borehole or rainwater and then it will be a case of money well spent.

I was facing another situation of having to buy distilled water from the chemist @ R10 per litre due to my diy experiments with elctrolytic gas where distilled water is a must, so I achieved ROI much faster.

@blujeenz You might want to stock up on distilled water. I went to the pharmacy yesterday to buy rubbing alcohol (I use it to clean my devices) but I wanted a few bottles so that I can make my own waterless handcleaner. They're out of stock - and so are their suppliers! I was pipped at the post, I'd say.

 

[Hooked]

@Raindance and @Hooked i am not saying i agree that the event should proceed just putting the facts -or at least the organizers version thereof- on the table
View attachment 121037

@E.T. yes I've seen that post and IMHO it's BS. And of course they're focusing on "communication" aka propoganda, because they're scared of protests.

 

[Hooked]

I read a really interesting article this morning, it covers a wide range of issues that people are facing at the moment, and I would be interested to hear real people's thoughts (yours) on what is said.

What I was particularly impressed at the below...

"South African Breweries have been the first to step up to the plate. In a discussion this weekend, Mr Ricardo Tadeu, SAB’s Zone President for Africa, and Mr Des Jacobs, SABS Western Cape Regional Director, committed the Newlands brewery to fill 12-million quart bottles with water (instead of beer) from the famous spring (whose water is normally used to brew beer). The SAB network will deliver water to retail outlets in designated areas of greatest need over several weeks. The bottling of water will have to start as soon as possible to ensure sufficient stockpiles.

Work is well under way between SAB and the South African Bureau of Standards to ensure that the bottled water will meet the required quality standard. Production will begin soon, and the bottles, labelled “Water, Not for Sale”, will be delivered at outlets when Day Zero arrives. Consumers will pay R1 for each “quart” (as South Africans still refer to the large beer bottle) which is about three quarters of a litre, with a maximum limit per person. The R1 is the cost of the bottle’s deposit. The water itself is free. When the bottle is returned, empty, it will be replaced, full, at no charge."

That's about 9 million litres of water if my maths is correct (usually dodgy at best, not good for a mech user). I've seen plenty of companies with the ability to make an impact stand back and do nothing. Whether SAB could do more is up for debate I guess.

https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opi...nside-the-countdown-to-day-zero/#.WnQJ_66Wb4Y

@Stosta I think it's a great initiative!

 

[blujeenz]

@blujeenz You might want to stock up on distilled water. I went to the pharmacy yesterday to buy rubbing alcohol (I use it to clean my devices) but I wanted a few bottles so that I can make my own waterless handcleaner. They're out of stock - and so are their suppliers! I was pipped at the post, I'd say.

Nah, I'm all good.
I've never really done the "kneejerk" thing, even when there was that huge run on canned goods about 6yrs ago.
I usually keep 6L in the fridge as a buffer for if the taps run dry, but IMO I dont think they will, there will be widespread damage to solar geysers which could amount to millions of rands insurance claims.
I can see them reducing water pressure though, which aint going to leave me high and dry.

 

[Hooked]

Nah, I'm all good.
I've never really done the "kneejerk" thing, even when there was that huge run on canned goods about 6yrs ago.
I usually keep 6L in the fridge as a buffer for if the taps run dry, but IMO I dont think they will, there will be widespread damage to solar geysers which could amount to millions of rands insurance claims.
I can see them reducing water pressure though, which aint going to leave me high and dry.

@blujeenz Keeping 6L in the fridge as a "buffer" IS a "kneejerk thing" - in advance

 

[blujeenz]

@blujeenz Keeping 6L in the fridge as a "buffer" IS a "kneejerk thing" - in advance

I've been doing that for the last 10yrs, so its more like advanced planning.

 

[Resistance]

sorry to spoil a good thread...but for all of you guys that don't know,Steenbras dam is full.if were not getting our water from there then why not.
this is not a drought issue its mismanagement from our government and the sad part is they are now like @Spyro said controlling the springs so people will eventually be turned away its like they want a civil war to start and I'm not only talking about the so called water crisis.
the food producing farms is dead and dry but the wine producing farms have green vinyards .all my plants died aswell including the plants I bought that produces food on a weekly basis now I have to get everything from a store and the food is "verlep" been sprayed with poison but hey we complain here because we don't know where else to turn.
this is a propaganda move I tell you.people will still come to Cape Town and South Africa because anyone is allowed here but try going to another country with or without an invite and see what happen to you.
they want people to leave cape town but they won't because its to nice here.
another thing I want to add and yes I am inviting any and all comments what's happening with the eskom loadshedding situation...? have they finally employed someone that can run the place again and if so why can't they get someone that can properly manage our water situation

 

[Huffapuff]

Steenbras dam is full, but only because they've been diverting all the rivers in the area to fill it. Sadly the water there is only enough to keep Cape Town going for like a few days. The city uses over 500 million litres a day! That's a staggering number! The two Steenbras dams hold a maximum of around 60 000ML. And only the upper dam is nearly full, the lower dam is at 50% capacity. So it's not as much water as it looks.

While I agree with you that half the problem here is mismanagement in the form of inadequate foresight and planning, there has also been a much lower amount of rainfall over the last couple of years due to climate change. These two factors combined with the rampant growth of Cape Town over the last decade or so have combined to cause this problem.

I'm sorry to spoil a good conspiracy theory @Resistance , but the DA is not trying to sabotage the only area they have control of. The government is doing nothing because they're happy this drought makes the DA look bad, and that's a sad reality of politics in our country. Despite the Western Cape's pleas for assistance the government has been happy to say it's the province's problem.

While I'm furious with our local government for the lack of foresight in this issue, I've also been really impressed with their response to the problem. I know that if this disaster was happening in an ANC held province that they'd be in much worse shape! The DA desperately needs to perform well to demonstrate their ability to govern, whereas the ANC has no need to show they can govern well. They are motivated by very different things to the DA.

 

[BubiSparks]

Seems it was way past @Raindance bed time - 3 identical conspiracy rants in a row.......LOL

 

[Raindance]

Seems it was way past @Raindance bed time - 3 idential conspiracy rants in a row.......LOL

@BubiSparks, yes it was. Was in bed fast asleep as a matter of fact. , not to worry, you are not the first to get me and @Resistance's wires crossed. Happens quite often, not that I am complaining cos i get to be involved in threads I may otherwise have missed out on.

Regards

 

[Raindance]

I am actually sitting here contemplating the merits of lifting my ass from this chair and taking a drive to Somerset West to buy one of those water distillation devices. Just can not make up my mind if it would be worth it...

Regards