Cape Town heads for “Day Zero” as water supplies dwindle

January 29, 2018 - Cape Town is close to running out of water, as dams serving the city reach critically low levels. Authorities could cut supplies by mid-April, forcing about four million residents to queue for emergency rations.

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“Day Zero” – the moment the taps will run dry – has been slated for April 12 as South Africa battles to deal with its worst drought in almost a century.

Hospitals, key economic and industrial areas and densely populated areas with a higher risk of disease would be exempt from the water cut-off, said municipal authorities, who plan to open a disaster operations centre to prepare for a possible closure of taps in a city known internationally for its natural beauty and tourist attractions.

Cape Town’s residents can avoid “Day Zero” by each using no more than 50 litres daily until adequate rainfall fills up depleted reservoirs and additional supply from aquifers, desalination and recycling schemes is activated, according to the city.