Cape Town Water Crisis & Cape Town Carnival

Dear Cape Town Carnival participants, visitors and guests

The Western Cape is in the midst of an unprecedented drought. This has had a profound effect on all events organised in the city of Cape Town. We need to be cognisant of the fact that as a city, as event organisers and as citizens, our relationship with water in the province has to alter significantly. We are taking the situation very seriously and are focusing on ensuring that we implement practical and responsible measures in relation to our project, our event and water issues.

Our current water plan for the Cape Town Carnival event, 17 March2018, includes the following:

• Only chemical toilets will be used
• All water  for hydration for participants will be sourced from outside the City’s municipal water grid
• Water sold by vendors will be sourced from outside the City’s municipal water grid
• No water ballasting of structures will take place – only concrete ballasts will be used

• Spectators will be encouraged to bring their own water if they do not wish to buy bottled water.
• No water taps will be installed along the Fanwalk, water for those who cannot afford water bottles will be supplied from water sourced from outside of the City’s municipal water grid, and dispensed in paper cups
• Vendor’s water – self- contained food trucks will bring in their own water for food preparation/dishes and dispose of grey water
• Rain water tanks installed at the Cape Town Carnival Workshop in Maitland is the primary source of water used. 4l per person per day is used from the municipal grid.

The city and province are working closely with all events with regards to the water crisis. We have been involved in these discussions and are developing our program accordingly. Over the last years we have viewed environmental issues as a priority in our planning and part of our sustainability program is a comprehensive water plan as well as zero waste to landfill.  Our 2018 objective is to have zero water impact on the local municipal water grid.  The plan deals with all aspects of water including (but not limited to) the measurement & evaluation of water usage and the reduction there-of; water sourcing (i.e. no water coming off the City’s drinking water grid but sourcing water from outside of the drought area; the use of grey and desalination water).

We will continue to update you regarding the situation. At present, the City has given the go ahead that the event will continue as per normal. The city is playing its part, we as organisers will ensure we play ours, and we call on all participants, visitors and guests to assist us in once again hosting a sustainable and “water-wise” event. #thinkwaterCT – Jay Douwes (Cape Town Carnival CEO)