Cape Town is a South African port city off of Africa’s southwest coast.
Cape Town is edging closer and closer to “day zero” where the water will dry for the citizens. This has been a growing concern since 2015, when the city’s dams started to dry. In 2015, 2016, and 2017, Cape Town experienced three dry winters.

The major dams that Cape Town relies on for their water are: Berg River, Steenbras Lower, Steenbras Upper, Theewaterskloof, Voëlvlei, and Wemmershoek. The water levels in these dams declined from 71.9 percent to 50.1 percent in only one year. With the summer approaching, in 2017 Cape Town has put in level 4B water restrictions, this bans all outside use of water and non-essential use of water. Since Feb. 1, level 6B water restrictions have been in place, limiting only 50 liters of water per person, per day.

With such a severe drought and such strong water restrictions in place, Capetonians have started “stockpiling municipal water.” Citizens who do this have been warned that if they’re stockpiling they’re bringing “day zero” closer and closer, as well as facing big fines. With Cape Town being in such a drought, they need help from other countries but no one wants to help. Cape Town has requested help from both the United Nations, and United States, both denied help. The reason for the denial is still unclear. With no aid, Cape Town will reach “day zero” faster than they think.

The question now is when Cape Town reaches that day, what will be the next step? Who can help them and save a whole city of waterless citizens? Now is just the countdown till Capetonians reach “day zero.”