Businesses urged to make every drop count ahead of drier summer
14 September 2026
With dam levels lower and a longer, drier summer expected, the City is calling on businesses and organisations across Cape Town to step up their water-saving efforts and make every drop count.
Cape Town is a water-scarce city, and with the months ahead expected to bring more challenging conditions, every sector has a role to play in reducing unnecessary water use. While the City continues to invest in new and alternative water sources and strengthen its water infrastructure, businesses can contribute by improving efficiency, reducing their reliance on drinking water and using alternative water sources where appropriate.
The City recognised 14 organisations at the sixth annual Water Star Rating Awards in June for their commitment to responsible water management. The recipients represent a range of sectors, showing that practical water-saving measures can be implemented even in businesses and industries that traditionally require significant amounts of water.
Car wash proves water-saving is
possible across all sectors
Alderman Zahid Badroodien, the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, recently visited Whizzo Car Wash in Somerset West to congratulate the business on achieving a Water Star Rating. They demonstrated how businesses reliant on water can evaluate their processes to save resources.
Car washes are often perceived as heavy water users. However, Whizzo Car Wash has transformed its operations by incorporating harvested rainwater into its washing processes, reducing its dependence on the municipal water supply while continuing to provide quality service.
Cape Town’s Water Strategy is
fundamentally about changing the way we think about water. We cannot build our
future around the assumption that our dams will always provide enough water,
particularly as our climate becomes less predictable and our city continues to
grow.
‘The City is investing in new
water sources, stronger infrastructure and better management of the system, but
becoming a truly water-wise city also means using high-quality drinking water
more carefully. Where businesses can reduce demand, improve efficiency or
safely substitute municipal drinking water with an appropriate alternative
source, that strengthens the resilience of the whole city.
‘Whizzo Car Wash shows what this transition can look like in practice. A business that depends on water has examined how it operates, introduced rainwater harvesting and reduced its reliance on the municipal supply without compromising its service. That is exactly the kind of innovation and responsible water use we want to see replicated across Cape Town.
‘Our direction is clear: we must diversify our water supply while continuing to reduce unnecessary demand. Both are essential if Cape Town is to remain water secure in the decades ahead,’ said Alderman Badroodien.
Get recognised for becoming more water-wise
Since the programme was launched, 111 Water Star Rating certificates have been awarded. The voluntary programme assesses organisations on their water management practices and awards between one and five stars based on performance in four areas:
- Water supply
- Water use
- Water conservation
- Water discharge
Businesses and organisations interested in applying for a voluntary Water Star Rating assessment can email Water.StarRating@capetown.gov.za
Caption 1: Alderman Zahid Badroodien, the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, visits Whizzo Car Wash in Somerset West with Grace du Preez, Manager at Whizzo Car Wash, to congratulate the business on achieving a 2026 Water Star Rating for its commitment to water-wise practices.
Caption 2: Grace du Preez from Whizzo Car Wash proudly shows the business's Water Star Rating certificate to Alderman Zahid Badroodien.
Caption 3: Representatives from the 14 organisations recognised at the 2026 Water Star Rating Awards.
End