Why Cape Town Is Running Out of Water

What: People in Cape Town Africa are having to use less water (1/6 of

Why did this happen �This area has experience severe drought, perhaps due to climate

Human Response �Government put in place volunteer restrictions such as no watering plants/grass, no

My reaction �I think this is scary. If this can happen to this developed

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Why Cape Town Is Running Out of Water, and Who’s Next By Craig Welch https: //news. nationalgeographic. com/2018/02/capetown-running-out-of-water-drought-taps-shutoffother-cities/#close Mrs. Vesta, period 5

What: People in Cape Town Africa are having to use less water (1/6 of the water the average American uses) or they will run out of drinking water within the next few months. . When: Day Zero when they will run out of water is projected to happen May 11 th. Who: This is affecting the people who are used to using as much water as they want. The government has put voluntary restrictions in) but only ½ the population is complying so running out of drinking water is likely. Agriculture is being affected and ponds are drying up.

Why did this happen �This area has experience severe drought, perhaps due to climate change. �This area has also experienced population growth over the last 20 years. �They cannot build alternative water solutions fast enough due to man power and finances. Such as desalination devices to make salt water drinkable. �People here, just like in America, are used to using as much water as they want for showers, cookng, cars washing, grass watering, etc.

Human Response �Government put in place volunteer restrictions such as no watering plants/grass, no washing cars and trying to use about 50 gallons or less per day person. Many are not following the rules. �Government is trying to find alternative water sources. �Government will set up watering stations to ration water out to people daily and cut off main water supply soon if needed but are making sure military and hospitals have the supply they need.

My reaction �I think this is scary. If this can happen to this developed town of 4 million, it is reasonable to think this could happen to the 12 million people in Illinois someday. I worry about this because we are just as wasteful. We use 80 -100 gallons of water a day and don’t think much about it. �Our cities don’t seem to be too concerned about figuring out ways to purify water quicker/more efficiently either. We seem to just think the supply will go on like this forever, which is not true.