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Articles on Day Zero

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Alien pine trees, which use substantially more water than the native vegetation of the Cape Mountains, reduce river flows to dams that supply the city’s water. Martin Kleynhans

Clearing alien trees can help reduce climate change impact on Cape Town’s water supply

Clearing alien trees before the drought hit could have reduced the impact of climate change on water supply during the ‘Day Zero’ drought.
Water flows from the Vaal Dam after several sluice gates were opened in February 2021. Heavy rains in the Gauteng province resulted in a spike in dam levels. Deaan Vivier/ via GettyImages

Why full dams don’t mean water security: a look at South Africa

Gauteng citizens need to know the uncomfortable truth: for the next six years, their water supplies will increasingly have to be restricted.
Shutterstock/ Nataly Reinch

Why South Africa needs a new water agency

The agency will ensure that large water users such as municipalities, public utilities and large companies continue to fund the construction and operation of the large water systems they depend on.
Cape Town residents queueing to refill water containers at the Newlands Brewery Spring Water Point in January 2018. GettyImages

Dimming the sun could reduce future drought risk in Cape Town – but there’s a catch

Artificially dimming the sun, by injecting reflective particles into the upper atmosphere, could reduce the risk of Day Zero level droughts in Cape Town by more than 90% in the future.
Some towns in northern NSW are likely to see empty dams next year. AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

80% of household water goes to waste – we need to get it back

Once water is used in washing, cleaning or even sewerage it can be safely and reliably treated. The treated water is then safe to drink – identical to the original water.

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