This will mean that the Western Cape Education Department has to secure 23 mega (million) litres of water daily for over 1 million learners (1 116 516) and 32 000 teachers in 1 506 schools.

The Premier made the announcement Wednesday at the Western Cape Sports School in Kuils River, Cape Town, whilst briefing  the principals of all schools in the greater Cape Town, Drakenstein, Stellenbosch and West Coast municipalities.

“Whatever happens, we intend to keep schools open”

She said right now there is a 60% chance of Day Zero happening, but that “whatever happens, we intend to keep schools open.”

The Premier told school principals that according to the provincial government’s calculations, there is an estimated 10 weeks to go before the province reaches “a possible Day Zero”, which has now moved to 12 April 2018.

Day Zero is an event when all dams that service affected Western Cape municipalities will have reached 13.5% on average. It is at this point that taps will be closed and residents will be required to get water from designated water collection points.

Zille said Day Zero can be avoided if residents change their behaviour when it comes to water use – and use less than 50 litres per person per day for 150 days.

“We need to keep our schools open on Day Zero and teaching and learning must continue,” she said, adding that water management plans in schools will be vital.

She said because water supply to schools will continue, the provincial government was “working towards beefing up security at all schools to avoid water theft. Your security becomes critical…”

In the short term, focus will be on ensuring sanitation, health and fire safety needs are met. After that, the province will provide oversight in identifying further augmented water sources – from ground water, treated or recycled water to rain water.

At the moment 407 schools have boreholes but 99 of those aren’t functional. Only 58 have drinking water, 349 have non-potable water which can be used for fire safety and sanitation.

Water will be trucked in to the Western Cape schools, and DHL has apparently offered to help move the water.

School teachers will get their personal daily ration also brought to them at school so they do not need to queue at the PODS (Points of Distribution).”