Western Cape Water Crisis Remains Critical

Water Campaign aids Western Cape Members

Due to prolonged periods of poor rainfall, the Western Cape has for some years been experiencing severe drought and at the start of year, the reality hit home when it was announced that DAY ZERO would happen in April 2018. Day Zero was the term adopted to earmark the projected date that the city of Cape Town would have to cut off the ordinary supply of water to its citizens.
There was tremendous amount of concern and publicity around the fast-approaching Day Zero which inspired support efforts from various quarters to help minimise the impact of the looming disaster.

When the City announced that “Day Zero” would not take place this year it was made known that this was due to residents, businesses, farmers and visitors pulling together to drastically reduce their consumption by 57% in three years. It would also be dependent on a continuation of the historic savings in consumption already achieved.

The clear message was that “DAY ZERO” had not gone away, however if everybody pulls together, it could hopefully be staved off permanently.

Our colleagues in the Western Cape remain under immense water restrictions and scores of Capetonians are still lining up at bore-hole points for additional water beyond their daily allocation of 50 litres per day.

Earlier on in the year Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal ran a campaign where members and the public were urged to donate bottled water by dropping it off at any of our five offices across the KZN province. The plan was that the water received would then to be channelled to Master Builders Western Cape for distribution. The Master Builders brand is a national brand and the initiative was aimed at showing support to our Western Cape members in their time of crises.

Our KZN members once again put their hands up and ensured that the campaign was a great success. Water from Air, a company that provides pure drinking water solutions sponsored the logistics and ensured all water donated, arrived safely in Cape Town.

We take the opportunity to thank Water from Air and our members their assistance and support.