Cape Town businesses say water crisis a threat to their operations, survey finds
Cape Town — Businesses in Cape Town are growing increasingly concerned about the risk that chronic water shortages pose to their operations in the country’s second-biggest city and are taking steps to reduce usage and secure supply, a survey has found. Almost 80% of about 700 companies that participated in the survey conducted by the Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry in January said they see the water crisis as a threat to their businesses, up from 51% in October, the chamber said in an e-mailed statement on Wednesday. Eighty seven percent of respondents said they had more than halved their water consumption. Cape Town is in the midst of the worst drought on record after three years of poor rains and the authorities have warned the city will reach "day zero", when taps will be turned off, on April 16 unless consumption is drastically reduced. While the main business districts will be spared from water cuts to try and safeguard jobs and the regional economy, many of the city’s 4-...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.