By Tegan Gibaud
Climate change needs no introduction, and with the murmurs of another Day Zero in the Western Cape, it has been thrust back into daily conversation. Global warming is leading to increased temperatures globally, and in 2019 the World Meteorological Organisation found that there was a 1.1℃ increase in temperature compared to preindustrial levels globally. This warming is leading to an increase in extreme weather events, including one we are very familiar with, and one that was a central theme at this year’s Western Cape Government Water Indaba on World Water Day on March 22: droughts.
Climate change is not only increasing the intensity of droughts globally, but also their frequency. South Africa is already facing water scarcity issues, but climate change is predicted to exacerbate this issue. The previous Day Zero drought experienced in the Western Cape between 2015 and 2018 shed light onto what could be our future and a future for many. Academics agree that this was the worst drought in this region since 1904, and there are many ideas as to why this drought happened but it is accepted that it occurred due to three reasons: a decrease in winter rainfall, a poleward drift of Southern Hemisphere moisture and the displacement of the jet stream and storm track of the South Atlantic, which leads to irregular weather patterns. Essentially, precipitation levels were too low, which led to water reservoirs not being sufficiently replenished.
So are we on the road back to another Day Zero? Unfortunately experts say yes. With the increase in intensity and frequency of droughts, these events are likely to happen more often. In light of World Water Day, the Western Cape Government Water Indaba addressed the idea of another Day Zero in the Western Cape. It was discussed that although Day Zero may not happen this year, it is anticipated in coming years. At this same event, it was stated by the Provincial head of Water and Sanitation, Ntombizanele Bila-Mupariwa, that water availability is currently sufficient but there has been below-average rainfall during the last winter.
“There are two big things that are changing the consumption patterns of water in Cape Town,” shares Alex Lansdowne, Cape Town councilor who chairs the Water Quality in Wetlands and Waterways Advisory Committee. These two occurrences are the increase in population in the city as well as the prediction that in the next 40 years, Cape Town is expected to experience a significant decrease in its annual rainfall. Lansdowne also shares that 100% of our drinking water supply came from water catchments up until recently, which is an insecure source of water. The water and sanitation directorate in the city of Cape Town has a new water programme that is investing in groundwater abstraction, water reuse, catchment clearing and desalination in efforts to reduce Day Zero possibilities or impacts.
As citizens, some responsibility lies with us and we can take action to help mitigate Day Zero. We encourage local residents to do their part to save water, which can include: bringing awareness to our community on the importance of saving water, fixing leaks in our homes and offices, harvesting rainwater, reusing greywater and recycling water.
