{"id":96144,"date":"2017-11-30T09:29:53","date_gmt":"2017-11-30T07:29:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.chrisvonulmenstein.com\/blog\/?p=96144"},"modified":"2017-11-30T09:33:20","modified_gmt":"2017-11-30T07:33:20","slug":"tourists-encouraged-to-assist-in-saving-water-whilst-holidaying-in-cape-town-day-zero-looms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.chrisvonulmenstein.com\/blog\/cape-town\/tourists-encouraged-to-assist-in-saving-water-whilst-holidaying-in-cape-town-day-zero-looms\/","title":{"rendered":"Tourists encouraged to assist in saving water whilst holidaying in Cape Town, \u2018Day Zero\u2019 looms!"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Day Zero\u2019 \u2013 the day on which Cape Town will run out of water unless consumption is curbed further \u2013 has been extended from March to May 2018. Confusing is that the date of Day Zero varies within May, but a discussion on Kfm highlighted that the water usage in Cape Town increased since the postponement of \u2018Day Zero\u2019 to May, which could move \u2018Day Zero\u2019 back to April! Tourist arrivals and their water usage in our Summer Season is a grave concern to Capetonians. <\/b><\/p>\n

Currently Cape Town is using about 582 million litres a day, 82 million litres above the daily target, a reduction from the initial consumption of about 700 million litres a day, since the concept of \u2018Day Zero\u2019 was introduced.<\/p>\n

Business Day has reported that Mayor Patricia de Lille has said that reducing water usage is still the \"\"greatest factor in avoiding \u2018Day Zero\u2019. \u2018Unless we reduce demand to 500 million litres per day, there is a risk that we will reach \u2018Day Zero\u2019 in May 2018. \u2018Day Zero\u2019 would be later if it rained, but because we cannot accurately predict how much rain we will receive, we have to ensure that we reduce demand sufficiently. The reduction in demand has caused a drop of about 40% in the income the city derives from water sales. This makes it that much more difficult to fund augmentation measures,” De Lille said. “To overcome this \u2014 and as temporary measure \u2014 the city is considering a transitional levy.\u2019<\/i><\/p>\n

At the launch of the Water Awareness campaign on Church Square on Monday, Mayor de Lille announced that the water levy is not on the cards at this point of time, despite the drop of income to the City of Cape Town coffers.<\/p>\n

According to Enver Duminy, CEO of Cape Town Tourism, \u2018Potential tourists should know that the City of Cape Town and the Western Cape Provincial Government are doing everything in their power to mitigate the challenges faced by the ongoing drought in the region. From a tourism perspective, it is important to realise that despite Cape Town being a popular destination, foreign tourists only make up on average 1% of the population of the Western Cape province at any given time, and total tourists (foreign and local) constitute only 3,4% of the total provincial population on the busiest days\u2019<\/i>. <\/p>\n

Tourists have been asked to be aware of the current water crisis facing the city and province, and to follow the City of Cape Town water saving guidelines communicated to locals.<\/p>\n

\u2018We need the help of all visitors to conserve this precious resource. There may be a moderate impact on visitor experience should facilities such as swimming pools and steam rooms be closed. We ask for our visitors\u2019 understanding and reiterate that we will consistently do all we can to offer excellent experiences as a world-class destination\u2019<\/i>, added Duminy.<\/p>\n

Tourists may be impacted by the following water saving measures at their accommodation facilities in the Cape:<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Swimming pools may be closed<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Steam rooms and saunas may be closed<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Bath plugs may be removed<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Gardens and lawns may not be watered<\/p>\n

Tourists have been advised to assist in saving water as follows:<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Limit shower time to under two minutes<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Close the tap when brushing teeth<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Reuse towels instead of asking for a new one every day<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Report leaks or dripping taps<\/p>\n

\u2018Tourism is an essential part of the economy in Cape Town, providing full-time work for 38 838 people and temporary jobs for 15 489 [2014]. Besides employment, the tourism sector contributes greatly to the economy. Maintaining growth in the sector involves implementing strategies geared towards all aspects of sustainability in tourism. These include employment, nurturing and protecting the natural environment and resources, and ensuring that the built environment takes into account energy and resource-efficient practices and accessibility for all\u2019<\/i>, Duminy concluded.<\/p>\n

Water saving requests are visible in the Domestic and International Arrivals Halls at Cape Town International. <\/p>\n

Chris von Ulmenstein, WhaleTales Blog: www.chrisvonulmenstein.com\/blog Tel +27 082 55 11 323 Twitter:@Ulmenstein Facebook: Chris von Ulmenstein Instagram: @Chris_Ulmenstein<\/b><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Day Zero\u2019 \u2013 the day on which Cape Town will run out of water unless consumption is curbed further \u2013 has been extended from March to May 2018. Confusing is that the date of Day Zero varies within May, but a discussion on Kfm highlighted that the water usage in Cape Town increased since the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false},"categories":[7,3,124,22,35903,32565],"tags":[32367,2157,32366,32378,36521,36128,14521,11852,5490,32387,1528],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t