The City of Cape Town’s Newlands and Trafalgar pools – as well as Westridge pool in Mitchell’s Plain – will be closed for the remainder of the summer season as a result of repairs and upgrades.
The City has also put in place a number of water-saving measures, including closing all but six of the 35 public swimming pools during the week until the end of summer due to the Level 3B water restrictions as part of the City’s water-saving measures.
With the exception of Sea Point, Mnandi Resort pool, in Mitchell’s Plain and four indoor facilities in Long Street, Retreat, Blue Downs and Strand, all public swimming pools will be closed from Monday to Thursday.
The swimming pools will only be open to the public from 2pm until 5pm, on Fridays, and from 10am to 5pm, on Saturdays and Sundays, until the end of March, when pools will close for winter.
“According to previous swimming pool user logs, attendance during weekdays averaged at around 75 people per day during February and March 2016 and around 150 people per day on weekends.
“This shows that the swimming pools are used 50 percent more over weekends, compared with weekdays during February and March.
“With the low usage levels during the week, it is impractical to keep these pools open while facing the current water crisis in Cape Town,” said JP Smith, mayoral committee member for safety and security, and social services.
It’s estimated more than 1 680kl of water will be saved each day just by eliminating the daily backwash the pools need.
With pools only staying open on weekends, only one backwash a week will be needed. Showers at pools will be switched off and splashing in pools will also be monitored and restricted.
Only normal bathing costumes may be worn when swimming at public swimming pools as a lot of water can be wasted just by swimming in clothing.
“The situation is not ideal, but I trust the public can appreciate the severity of the situation and will support this measure, over and above their individual water-saving efforts.
“We need to look at the bigger picture and, frankly, a short-term sacrifice like this is a small price to pay if we consider the impact it will have on our longer-term water supply and needs,” said Mr Smith.