As said rightly by World Bank VP Ismail Serageldin in 1996- “If the wars of this century are fought over oil, the wars of the next century will be fought over water.” The world seems to have arrived at such a crisis as appalling reports from Cape town- a major city and tourist attraction in South Africa indicate that the city is likely to approach a day where taps will run dry.
Journalists are calling it “Day Zero” and the date which was originally predicted to be April 22 has now been moved up to April 12. Citizens of the 4 million and counting populated city are coming up with creative ways to save water. This is a result of various climate changes and severe drought.
Excessive usage of hand sanitizers and an enormous hike of sales in containers to store water including vessels, vases, buckets etc.
Recycling of water is becoming another rage as people are using water used to boiled vegetables to later wash clothes. However, despite the grim circumstances, it is still becoming difficult to control the water usage as the usage is still 86 a million liters above its target goal and the residents are now being forced to harshly restrict their consumption. From February 1, residents will only be allowed to use 50 liters, or a little over 13 gallons, of water per person, per day and this isn’t going to be an easy transition.
Also, most people are now complaining that the water isn’t potable enough and residents claim that a funny taste has been developing. Even though News24 from Cape Town denies the accusation, many people have started to replenish water from the springs.
What is worse is that the water levels at dams supplying the city have dropped 1.4% in the last week and video taken recently of the city’s largest dam, Theewaterskloof shows an almost-barren reservoir bed.
Many people are leaving the city which is, in turn, helps in loosening the burden; however, the city remains stuck in a double whammy of health and water crisis.