Search Climate Insights Directory

The document highlights that less than 1% of the world's water is fresh and accessible, with projections that two-thirds of the population may face water shortages by 2025. It encourages readers to identify their local watersheds and manage their water footprints through home and office behavioral changes, such as using high-efficiency fixtures and planting native vegetation. Additionally, it outlines WWF's holistic approach to river health through partnerships with governments and businesses to implement corporate water stewardship and responsible infrastructure in key river basins worldwide.

The document argues that climate change acts as a 'risk multiplier' for water security, affecting all businesses regardless of their direct water reliance. It proposes a four-step process—Assess Risk, Develop Strategy, Implement Solutions, and Monitor/Adapt—to move companies from simple sustainability to long-term climate resilience. The report emphasizes the superiority of nature-based solutions over purely engineered infrastructure and advocates for collective, basin-level action over isolated site-level management.

The document examines desalination as a potential water source for Cape Town, noting that while it provides a rainfall-independent supply, it is often the most expensive option and carries significant energy and environmental costs. It details existing small-scale plants in South African municipalities and warns against over-investing in large-scale facilities based on experiences in Australia.

The guide encourages community-led cooperation to cope with water scarcity, arguing that individual stockpiling is insufficient. It suggests identifying local resources—such as plumbing skills, transport, and communication networks—and forming inclusive groups to coordinate water-saving efforts and emergency planning. The text emphasizes maintaining communication with city officials and suggests that external aid should focus on long-term infrastructure, like rainwater tanks and leak repairs, rather than bottled water.

The document details water stress in cities including São Paulo, Mexico City, Karachi, Los Angeles, Nairobi, Brisbane, and Seville, highlighting the roles of poor planning, climate-driven drought, and infrastructure failure. It advocates for a transition to climate-resilient water budgets through demand reduction, diversified water sources, and improved governance to avoid 'Day Zero' scenarios.

The document outlines various dry sanitation options for residents of Cape Town facing severe water scarcity, specifically in preparation for 'Day Zero'. It explains the risks of using sea water in sewer systems, the health differences between urine and faeces, and provides detailed guidance on implementing dry compost toilets, pit latrines, commercial systems, and chemical toilets.

The report analyses survey data from 74 respondents in Cape Town regarding their use of boreholes and views on groundwater management. Key findings indicate that while many citizens use or consider boreholes to reduce reliance on municipal water and mitigate drought risks, there is strong support for regulating groundwater to prevent over-abstraction. The document also identifies a significant gap in the availability of local groundwater quality data and recommends the creation of a public information dashboard, preferably via a web page, to provide data on water quality, abstraction amounts, and borehole registration.

The Table Mountain Water Source Partnership was established in 2020 following a severe drought (2017–2020) to coordinate groundwater management in Cape Town. The partnership, comprising government, private sector, academic, and civil society members, focuses on policy work, restoration of recharge areas, and the development of monitoring tools like groundwater dashboards. Cape Town is situated within two strategic water source areas: the surface-level Table Mountain Water Source Area and the Cape Flats-Cape Peninsula groundwater source area. The document highlights the risk posed by unmanaged private borehole abstraction and the increased likelihood of severe droughts due to the climate crisis.

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.

The document defines 'Day Zero' as the date when Cape Town's municipal water supply will be shut off due to a severe drought lasting over 100 years. It outlines a scenario where residents would be limited to 25 litres of water per person per day from approximately 200 collection points, with priority given to hospitals and clinics. The text warns of significant risks, including the collapse of sewage systems, increased disease, and economic damage, while providing a detailed list of water-saving behaviors to delay the onset of Day Zero.

The document defines 'Day Zero' as a worst-case scenario where Cape Town's taps run dry, predicted for 21 April based on dam levels being 28% full as of 15 January. On this day, the city enters Emergency Stage 3, cutting off water to most households and businesses, leaving only vital services and 200 points of distribution providing 25 litres per person. Recovery is expected to take three to six months, depending on winter rainfall. While new sources like groundwater, desalination, and reclaimed water are planned (totaling 292 million litres per day by year-end), they will not meet the current demand of 600 million litres per day. The briefing advises residents to monitor water use, prepare emergency drinking water, and consider dry sanitation systems.

The fact sheet highlights the critical role of natural springs in the upper Umzimvubu catchment of the Eastern Cape, where they serve as a vital safety net for approximately 1.2 million people. It advocates for a community-driven spring protection model to mitigate water scarcity, health risks, and climate impacts. The document details a specific initiative in Matatiele that used a hydro-census to identify 330 springs, leading to the protection of 18 sites and the eventual completion of 45 springs, providing safe drinking water to approximately 40,000 rural dwellers.