Day Zero can be avoided, says Mokonyane

Water and Sanitation Minister, Nomvula Mokonyane, has stressed that Day Zero can be avoided if the public makes collective efforts to save water.

Mokonyane was addressing the Cape Town Press Club as the Western Cape experiences its worse drought in more than 100 years.

Dams in the region are now below 30% and officials are warning that residents are not doing enough to save water.

Several Capetonians battling the crisis are preparing for Day Zero in early April, when taps are expected to run dry.

“Day Zero is avoidable if you deal with behavioural change, if you make sure you promote the water mix and not just over reliance on the surface water. The immediate that we are doing is to unite South Africans around more efficient water use and make everybody appreciate the effects of climate change. We act on the basis of scientific advice that helps plan for the future,” the Minister emphasised.

Mokonyane has described as patriotic some of the farmers who have offered to alleviate the water crisis in Cape Town.

“One of the families we went to with Agri SA yesterday has the capacity to provide us with an additional 140 thousand litres of water per day and one of their commitment is that they would want to deliver 30-thousand litres of water to Khayelitsha. It is these things that show the high level of patriotism and the need for partnership, and most importantly communication including sharing of information.”

Her department recently came under fire for allegedly failing to act to resolve the crisis.

Earlier, Mokonyane joined the Muslim Judicial Council in a prayer service for rain in Cape Town.

The drought in the Western Cape has seriously affected the West Coast, City of Cape Town, Drakenstein Municipality in the Boland and parts of Stellenbosch in the Winelands.

Premier Helen Zille has accused Mokonyane of dragging her feet on addressing the drought crisis.

The City of Cape Town is also addressing the media today on its preparations for Day Zero, when taps are expected to run dry.

Should dam levels reach 13,5%, the city will take control of the distribution of municipal water supply.

Meanwhile, the social movement, Water Crisis Coalition, will lead residents in a mass protest outside the Civic Centre in the Cape Town CBD Sunday afternoon.