Update: Cape Town at level 4B Water Restrictions - July 2017
How it affects you
As of the beginning of July, Cape Town and surrounds has been put on level 4B water restrictions. This is regardless of the rain which has recently fallen over the region. We are still well below the normal winter rainfall for the year and our dams are on average below 15-20% full. The situation is serious and we all need to start paying attention.The level 4B restrictions reduces water use to an average of 87 litres per person per day. Considering it takes approximately 12 litres of water to flush a toilet, this is not very much at all.As such providing amenities such as jacuzzis and pools may no longer be possible. Please bear in mind that we are now choosing between being able to swim OR drink and there is only one choice there.Please read this article and watch the short video on what level 4B restrictions actually mean to daily living.
Staying at a Nox Property?
If you are staying with us at one of our properties in the next few months, please keep the following in mind:
Pools are notbe allowed to be filled to the top, but will be clean and usable. No jacuzzis are in operation.
Irrigation systemsare not allowed, therefore grass may start to look brown and gardens won't be as lush
No water features at any property will be in operation
There will be limited use of dishwashers and washing machines (but you will always have clean crockery, cutlery and linen)
Please do your best to limit the length of your shower and avoid bathing. Be conscious of not leaving the tap running while brushing teeth or washing hands.
Calculate your Daily Water Consumption
To put things in perspective, here is an approximation of quantity of water used for normal daily duties. If level 4 restrictions are put in place, we will only be allowed 100 litres (26.4 gallons) each per day. See how quickly it adds up!(1 Gallon = 3.8 litres)
5-minute shower: 10 gallons (38l)
5-minute power shower: 20 gallons (76l)
Brushing teeth with tap running: 2 gallons/min (7.6l per min)
Brushing teeth with tap off: .25 gallon (0.95l)
One toilet flush: 3 gallons (11.4l)
Other water use (drinking, cooking, etc.): 7 gallons (26.6l)
Washing machine: 40 gallons (152l)
Dishwasher: 10 gallons (38l)
To see the situation up close, please watch this 4 minute 40 sec vlogwhich was taken of Theewaterskloof, Cape Town's main water supply dam. It was taken prior to the recent rains, but not much has changed as the public water consumption is still above the target of 600 million litres per day.
