… to groundwater or desalination. The local government worked tirelessly with businesses to share information, hear concerns, plan and became much better at partnering. This collective response would eventually drive down water consumption by over 50%. Day Zero was called off in 2018 and later removed as a possibility for 2019 and again in 2020. Positively, behaviours have changed permanently as residents…
…’ water-saving and efficiency behaviours endured, even as restrictions were gradually lessened. Water consumption is unlikely to ever return to pre-drought levels. Cape Town’s achievement is evidence of the positive impact that partnering with residents and stakeholders at all levels can have on a city’s governance and operations. Participation of children and young…