Water Shortage In Cape Town Is A Lesson To The Rest Of The World

With climate changes impacting the world, Cape Town one of the most affluent metropolitan city in South Africa is facing the worst drought ever recorded. By Summer, four million people will be impacted, what this means to them?

The city is planning to shut off taps to four million people, unfortunately this is not only this city that is being impacted by world climate changes many other cities are facing the same fate.

With population growth and lack of rain falls in critical parts of the world those are the perfect condition for the most dramatic urban water crises. South African leaders warn resident to face “Day Zero”.
Cape Town could be forced to shut off taps to home and businesses because of low-level of water into the reservoirs by mid-July.

How is the city of Cape Town going to cope with the lack of water and keep the city safe and peaceful?
No one has ever conceived a large metropolitan would have to resort to this extreme. With the ever-increasing water demand, increasing population and climate change can upset the balance between water supply and demand.

Drinking water shortage is becoming a reality for all countries around the world.

This threat has unraveled quicker than expected for Cape Town. The city is prepping 200 emergency water stations outside groceries and other gathering spots. Those stations should supply water for about 20,000 residents. Water will also be store at military installation, a new city ordinance has been issued that prohibits pools, water gardens and wash cars using taps.

Patrols have been increased to prevent water-theft by natural springs.

Citizens have been urged to consume 50 liters per day, which is less than one-sixth of the American average consumption.

With the arid landscape of Cape Town, its beauty has driven population to settle and brought increasing wealth and prosperity. Over the past 20 years, the city has acknowledged the increasing threats. With six major reservoirs that holds 230 billion gallons of water.

The city reduced leaks, it also forced larger users to pay their share. The city promoted water efficiency, Cape Town won several international water management awards. Officials made a common mistake, by assuming rainfall patterns would be about the same not factoring the rapid changes into the weather patterns.

With the increasing population growth, the city shifts its focus from climate change to schools, hospitals or all other matters on their agenda.

In 2014 the six dams were full, but three years of extreme droughts have reduced the water in them. According to NASA data, each reservoir stands at 26 percent capacity. The city is planning to cut the taps when the reservoirs reach 13.5 percent

As we are watching Cape Town situation unfolding quickly, we need to acknowledge it is not an isolated incident. The reservoirs in Sao Paulo, Brazil dropped low in 2015 forcing the authorities to cut taps to just few hours twice a week.

Climate changes is impacting countries around the world. It should be a cautionary tale to focus on water supplies as population in ever-growing cities around the world could face a similar fate. Water infrastructure in industrial countries should maintain and upgrade their infrastructures. Emerging countries should focus on developing water infrastructure.