Cape Town clamps down on water wasters

Cape Town's 'Day Zero' looks set to become a reality sooner than anyone anticipated. What this means is that there is barely enough water to survive on in the city, but car washes are still deemed a necessity - and that's why I find this story so bizarre.

Read: How Cape Town businesses are tightening the taps

 I mean, how can folk, in light of what's going on in Cape Town, think that lavishly washing a car is in any way okay?!

According to Times Live, staff from the city council‚ the police, and the Department of Water and Sanitation visited 78 car washes in Kuils River‚ Khayelitsha‚ Sea Point‚ Fish Hoek‚ Mfuleni‚ Delft‚ Wynberg‚ Gordon’s Bay, and Brackenfell. Seventy-eight car washes! This number astonishes me!

Read: KZN supermarket staff stand with Cape Town by singing for rain

The question we all have to ask ourselves is how informed are we and how do we inform others that may not be in the know?

My sister lives in the Cape and I speak to her daily about life with such strict water restrictions.

Read: #PhoneTap: Ronald shares water-saving tips ahead of Cape Town's #DayZero

Buckets in the shower, not flushing the loo unless really needed, buying water to stock up - it's hectic to say the least!

I know how it impacts her life, but can you imagine how it affects people who can't afford to buy bottled water? Scary!

Read: Umgeni Water extends water restrictions for municipalities

Just down the road from me, there is a water-free car wash in operation, and since the panic in Cape Town, I have really become extremely vigilant about our water use.

Cape Town has now implemented level 6B water restrictions, which means daily consumption per person has been cut to just 50 litres. 

Let's all do our bit to conserve water and use what we have wisely. After all, water is a natural resource and nothing is a guarantee in life.