Water is an increasingly precious resource. The region is presently undergoing the harshest drought on record. The dams and reservoirs feeding the municipality are at record lows. In response, the UCT executive has formed a Water Task Team that raises awareness of water-related issues and will put contingency plans in place. UCT has already started several temporary water-reduction strategies.
UCT aims to provide alternative water supplies from groundwater, treated effluent and desalination before Cape Town runs out of water, which is projected to happen around June 2018.