Page 62 - Green Builder Magazine March-April 2018 Issue

CODE ARENA

The Latest Rules, Regulations and Codes Impacting Sustainable Construction

Water, Water Nowhere—

and Not a Drop to Drink

Efforts to preserve dwindling H O supplies are underway. But is it too late?
2
BY MIKE COLLIGNON

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
By now, you’ve probably heard about the dire water supply situation
in Cape Town, South Africa. Unfortunately, the periodic updates
have not been promising.
As of early March, the new projected “Day Zero” is now July 9, two
months later than predicted in January. Government officials say
they have received a reprieve due to conservation efforts by much
of the populace. It’s going to take a lot more effort, however, as well
as a lot of help from Mother Nature, to keep a very restrictive water
distribution/rationing plan from going into effect.
That plan calls for 200 distribution points around the city where
residents can collect 25 liters (6.6 gallons) per person per day. (To
put this in context, that daily amount of water is equal to a two-
minute shower using a 2.5-gpm showerhead and flushing a 1.6-gpf
toilet once. That’s it.)
People will also have the option to collect 100 liters for use over
a four-day period. Each water collection point, which will have 1
more than 50 supply taps, will be set up to accommodate roughly 1
20,000 people. Finally, Cape Town anticipates water restrictions to
be in place for “at least 3-5 months, depending on how the situation 3 5
unfolds.” Hopefully, rationing won't need to last nearly that long. 2
For those who want to monitor the situation more closely, you
can check the “Day Zero dashboard” here: www.capetown.gov.za/
dayzerodashboard. 4

WASHINGTON STATE
The State legislature recently passed a $4 billion construction bill, but
not before reaching an agreement on Senate Bill 6091. The legislation
ensures that water is available to support development by calling on 1 4
each building permit applicant to “provide evidence of an adequate CREDIT: FIVEPOINTSIX/ISTOCK
water supply for the intended use of the building.” 1
It also calls for $300 million to be spent over 15 years to restore 2 5
and enhance watersheds through water conservation projects Tapped out? As taps threaten to run dry and “Day Zero” approaches in
throughout the state. And, the legislation reduces the amount of Cape Town, South Africa, residents face ever-tightening water
water wells can draw in many areas of the state, with amounts conservation requirements. 3

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