WWFWaterFiles_Afrikaans_FINAL

The document describes 'Day Zero' as the point when Cape Town's water system can no longer maintain normal services due to a severe drought, the worst in over 100 years. It outlines the transition to 'Emergency Stage 2', where water is shut off for most households and businesses, leaving only critical services and 200 distribution points. The text warns of potential sewage system collapse, increased disease risk, and economic damage, urging residents to drastically reduce water usage through specific behavioral changes to delay the onset of Day Zero.

• Cape Town is experiencing its most severe drought in more than a century, leading to critically low dam levels and strict water restrictions, including a limit of 50 liters per person per day starting February 1, 2018.
• Day Zero is defined as the date when there is insufficient water in the system to maintain normal services, resulting in taps and toilets running dry. This date is calculated based on the water levels of six large dams, consumption by residents and agriculture, and evaporation rates.
• Upon reaching Day Zero, the city moves to 'Emergency Stage 2', shutting off water to households and businesses. Water will only be available at critical services like hospitals and clinics, standpipes in informal settlements, and 200 distribution points where people can collect 25 liters per person per day.
• The implications of Day Zero include potential collapse of the sewage system, increased risk and spread of diseases, and severe economic consequences. Recovery of the dams could take months, and residents may need to survive with minimal water for three to six months after Day Zero, depending on rainfall in water source areas.

APA

WWF South Africa (n.d.). WWFWaterFiles_Afrikaans_FINAL. http://awsassets.wwf.org.za/downloads/WWFWaterFiles_Afrikaans_FINAL.PDF

Chicago

WWF South Africa. WWFWaterFiles_Afrikaans_FINAL. n.d. http://awsassets.wwf.org.za/downloads/WWFWaterFiles_Afrikaans_FINAL.PDF.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=WWF South Africa |title=WWFWaterFiles_Afrikaans_FINAL |url=http://awsassets.wwf.org.za/downloads/WWFWaterFiles_Afrikaans_FINAL.PDF |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{wwfsouthafricandwwfwaterfilesafrikaansfinal, author = {{WWF South Africa}}, title = {{WWFWaterFiles\_Afrikaans\_FINAL}}, institution = {WWF South Africa}, url = {http://awsassets.wwf.org.za/downloads/WWFWaterFiles_Afrikaans_FINAL.PDF}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }