‘Will day zero arrive?’ – Parly committee wants to know EWN - Lauren Isaacs & Lindsay Dentlinger

The head of Parliament’s Water and Sanitation Committee wants a straight answer to the question on every Capetonians’ lips – will day zero arrive?

Acting chairperson Patrick Chauke says this must be known by the end of Wednesday’s sitting which includes ministers, representatives from the Western Cape and Eastern Cape governments and Agri-SA.

Day zero is currently forecast for 11 May, which is almost a month later than the forecast of 16 April last week.

Chauke says clarity is needed around the prospect of day zero in Cape Town.

Water and Sanitation Minister Nomvula Mokonyane says the water crisis stems from resources being overused in a short space of time without the control and management of demand.

“We can avoid that possibility if we manage the demand by adhering to the restrictions and ensuring that they apply particularly to the big water users.”