WWFWaterFiles_Afrikaans_FINAL

This fact sheet from WWF South Africa explains the concept of 'Day Zero' in the context of a severe drought in the Western Cape, detailing the triggers for this state, the resulting restrictions on water access, and practical measures for residents to reduce water consumption.

• The Western Cape is experiencing its most severe drought in over a century, leading to critically low dam levels and the implementation of strict water restrictions, including a limit of 50 liters per person per day starting February 1, 2018.
• Day Zero is defined as the point when water levels in the six primary dams are insufficient to maintain normal services, causing taps and toilets to run dry. This state is calculated based on current dam volumes, consumption by residents and agriculture, and evaporation rates.
• Upon reaching Day Zero, the city moves to 'Emergency Stage 2', where water is shut off for households and businesses. Water access is restricted to critical services such as hospitals, clinics, standpipes in informal settlements, and 200 distribution points where individuals can collect 25 liters per person per day.
• The implications of Day Zero include potential sewage system collapse, increased disease risk, and severe economic damage. Recovery of the dams could take months, and residents may need to survive on minimal water for three to six months depending on rainfall in the 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} }