Residents are now being asked to curb the amount of municipal water they use each day to just 50 liters (a little over 13 gallons). Only a month ago, level six restrictions had placed residents on a daily allowance of 87 liters (about 23 gallons), illustrating the severity of the loomingcrisis.
Officials estimate that if water levels continue to fall as expected, South Africa's second most populous city will run out of water by April 16, which has been dubbed "Day Zero."
Water Institute member and Environment, Enterprise and Development professor, Larry Swatuk, speaks to CBC about the looming water crisis in Cape Town South Africa, stating that it comes as a warning sign – the “canary in a coal mine” – to all cities. Larry is the author of Water in Southern Africa and specialist in water governance and management.
Listen to the full interview on CBC's Radio Canada International.