Cape Town Zero Day Worries?
Jan 19, 2018, 12:39 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Gig Harbor, WA
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Cape Town Zero Day Worries?
My wife and I have our first South Africa visit scheduled the tail end of March/early April and will be in Capetown 6 days.
We've heard about the dire water situation and just found out that they are expecting to "run out" of water by April 22 (Zero Day).
The hotel is telling us that showers are limited to 2 minutes and there are toilet flushing guidelines. Hotels will also be washing linens less frequently.
We are concerned about sanitation and other issues and wondering if we should try to cancel the trip.
Is it really as serious as it sounds?
Thanks!
We've heard about the dire water situation and just found out that they are expecting to "run out" of water by April 22 (Zero Day).
The hotel is telling us that showers are limited to 2 minutes and there are toilet flushing guidelines. Hotels will also be washing linens less frequently.
We are concerned about sanitation and other issues and wondering if we should try to cancel the trip.
Is it really as serious as it sounds?
Thanks!
Jan 19, 2018, 12:49 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: CPT,AMS
Posts: 4,410
The water restrictions requires that people will use no more than 87L of water per day and business/agricultural to cut a significant portion of their water usage compared to 2015.
It is serious, yes, but I wouldn't necessarily worry about sanitation, I'm sure you don't wash your linen at home every other day e.g.
It is serious, yes, but I wouldn't necessarily worry about sanitation, I'm sure you don't wash your linen at home every other day e.g.
Jan 19, 2018, 1:28 pm
#3
Original Poster
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The water restrictions requires that people will use no more than 87L of water per day and business/agricultural to cut a significant portion of their water usage compared to 2015.
It is serious, yes, but I wouldn't necessarily worry about sanitation, I'm sure you don't wash your linen at home every other day e.g.
It is serious, yes, but I wouldn't necessarily worry about sanitation, I'm sure you don't wash your linen at home every other day e.g.
Just wondering if the wine tours, Table Mountain hike and other cool things we have planned will be impacted.
The hotel said they may have to resort to giving guests a bucket of water to shower with each day. Not sure how my wife will do with a 2-minute shower or bucket.
Jan 19, 2018, 1:56 pm
#4
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I was in a discussion earlier today. It seems we personally use, at home in UK, about double the proposed personal limits [according to my very detailed water bill]. But ... that includes a large bubble-bath, dishwasher and washing machine.
i doubt Armageddon is yet upon us, but we can/should try to help. This was in our shower and bathroom in Stellenbosch last month ... we would fill 3/4 of that shower bucket, that they then recycled.
KEEP CALM, AND CARRY ON ... ECONOMICALLY
.... And drink WINE, not water!
i doubt Armageddon is yet upon us, but we can/should try to help. This was in our shower and bathroom in Stellenbosch last month ... we would fill 3/4 of that shower bucket, that they then recycled.
KEEP CALM, AND CARRY ON ... ECONOMICALLY
.... And drink WINE, not water!
Jan 19, 2018, 2:10 pm
#5
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,077
It's serious. I'd follow the news here for accurate information about upcoming issues:
http://www.capetown.gov.za/media-and...20restrictions
There's an interesting article here:
https://www.thesouthafrican.com/cape...from-day-zero/
about potential areas that might be exempt from zero-day restrictions. But, it reads as if much of it is up in the air.
I'm no water (or electricity) distribution expert, but I find the water-shedding concept described in the article to be quite interesting.
http://www.capetown.gov.za/media-and...20restrictions
There's an interesting article here:
https://www.thesouthafrican.com/cape...from-day-zero/
about potential areas that might be exempt from zero-day restrictions. But, it reads as if much of it is up in the air.
I'm no water (or electricity) distribution expert, but I find the water-shedding concept described in the article to be quite interesting.
Jan 19, 2018, 2:59 pm
#6
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: CPT,AMS
Posts: 4,410
Definitely can live with using the same towels and sheets.
Just wondering if the wine tours, Table Mountain hike and other cool things we have planned will be impacted.
The hotel said they may have to resort to giving guests a bucket of water to shower with each day. Not sure how my wife will do with a 2-minute shower or bucket.
Just wondering if the wine tours, Table Mountain hike and other cool things we have planned will be impacted.
The hotel said they may have to resort to giving guests a bucket of water to shower with each day. Not sure how my wife will do with a 2-minute shower or bucket.
The city hall currently recommend people to save some water in a bucket because of the water shedding, and of course if it does come to that it's better you have that than nothing during those hours.
On the bright side they are working on multiple desalination plants as well as on securing some sources for ground water.
Jan 20, 2018, 6:38 am
#7
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: DCA, IAD, BWI
Posts: 196
We are also plan to be in CT at the same time. We think it would be a good learning experience but we are not thrill. However, our real concern is whether restaurants would be sanitary with adequate washing food, hands, and dirty dishes. Your thoughts and advices?
I uses Toto portable bidet travel washlet ($70) even at home. This would be very good use with little water and limited bath/shower. An idea you may consider.
I uses Toto portable bidet travel washlet ($70) even at home. This would be very good use with little water and limited bath/shower. An idea you may consider.
Jan 20, 2018, 7:43 am
#8
Join Date: Apr 2009
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I was in a discussion earlier today. It seems we personally use, at home in UK, about double the proposed personal limits [according to my very detailed water bill]. But ... that includes a large bubble-bath, dishwasher and washing machine.
i doubt Armageddon is yet upon us, but we can/should try to help. This was in our shower and bathroom in Stellenbosch last month ... we would fill 3/4 of that shower bucket, that they then recycled.
KEEP CALM, AND CARRY ON ... ECONOMICALLY
.... And drink WINE, not water!
i doubt Armageddon is yet upon us, but we can/should try to help. This was in our shower and bathroom in Stellenbosch last month ... we would fill 3/4 of that shower bucket, that they then recycled.
KEEP CALM, AND CARRY ON ... ECONOMICALLY
.... And drink WINE, not water!
Jan 21, 2018, 4:23 am
#9
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: CPT
Programs: BA BD SA
Posts: 4,467
Jan 21, 2018, 5:58 am
#10
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: CPT,AMS
Posts: 4,410
Going down to 50l per day from February.
Welcome to our world! We have a plastic basin sitting in our bathroom handbasin - the grey water collected in it gets used to fill the toilet cistern. That’s just one example. Saving water is a daily obsession for any sensible Capetonian.
Welcome to our world! We have a plastic basin sitting in our bathroom handbasin - the grey water collected in it gets used to fill the toilet cistern. That’s just one example. Saving water is a daily obsession for any sensible Capetonian.
Jan 23, 2018, 9:50 pm
#11
Original Poster
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Day Zero Moved Up 9 More Days
Looks like Day Zero has now been moved up again to April 12.
Getting a little nervous as we're scheduled March 29 - April 5.
I have trip insurance but no idea whether that would cover my non-refundable costs/cancelation fees.
Wow, this sounds really imminent...feel terrible for the residents.
Getting a little nervous as we're scheduled March 29 - April 5.
I have trip insurance but no idea whether that would cover my non-refundable costs/cancelation fees.
Wow, this sounds really imminent...feel terrible for the residents.
Jan 23, 2018, 11:01 pm
#12
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: DCA, IAD, BWI
Posts: 196
There's an interesting article here:
https://www.thesouthafrican.com/cape...from-day-zero/
about potential areas that might be exempt from zero-day restrictions. But, it reads as if much of it is up in the air.
I communicated with couple locals there, one is in CT and the other is in Durban. They said it is a reality! People will have to evacuate out of town and shutdown during "Day Zero" period. Bases on the above article/link, CBD would be exempt. If so, will some hotels continue to open? And restaurants and services? Is this in question? I am debating should we find an accommodation that continue to open during this period or would it be so bad to visit and should cancel to another year? What would you do in this scenario? Thanks.
https://www.thesouthafrican.com/cape...from-day-zero/
about potential areas that might be exempt from zero-day restrictions. But, it reads as if much of it is up in the air.
I communicated with couple locals there, one is in CT and the other is in Durban. They said it is a reality! People will have to evacuate out of town and shutdown during "Day Zero" period. Bases on the above article/link, CBD would be exempt. If so, will some hotels continue to open? And restaurants and services? Is this in question? I am debating should we find an accommodation that continue to open during this period or would it be so bad to visit and should cancel to another year? What would you do in this scenario? Thanks.
Jan 24, 2018, 1:45 am
#14
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: London
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Posts: 2,374
On my recent trip home to SA where I drove from CT to Jo’burg it was heartbreaking to see what should be free flowing rivers as dry beds.
I did did not see a flowing river until I was well into Gauteng, or the OFS. Can’t quite recall now!
Its an issue that is of devastating concern to the whole Cape Area, and indeed the whole country!
I did did not see a flowing river until I was well into Gauteng, or the OFS. Can’t quite recall now!
Its an issue that is of devastating concern to the whole Cape Area, and indeed the whole country!
Jan 24, 2018, 5:08 am
#15
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: MAN/JNB
Programs: KL/BMI/BA
Posts: 409
Looks like Day Zero has now been moved up again to April 12.
Getting a little nervous as we're scheduled March 29 - April 5.
I have trip insurance but no idea whether that would cover my non-refundable costs/cancelation fees.
Wow, this sounds really imminent...feel terrible for the residents.
Getting a little nervous as we're scheduled March 29 - April 5.
I have trip insurance but no idea whether that would cover my non-refundable costs/cancelation fees.
Wow, this sounds really imminent...feel terrible for the residents.
I don’t know if we should reverse our itinerary and go to Cape Town first from March 25th to April 2nd and then drive to PE and have the last 2 nights there-of course it depends if the owner would agree to the change but it looks like the property is available on the alternate dates.
Or should we just continue with our original plans-we could always leave the Cape Town property early if things get really bad and book new domestic flights to JNB and spend the remainder of our time there-I grew up there so I’m sure we could find things to do.
Just don’t know?