This year, the threat of taps running dry happened in South Africa’s second largest city.
Due to severe drought, many taps ran dry, and thousands had to line up at public wells to get enough water to drink, let alone bathe or clean. Eventually, Rainfall offered some relief from the situation, and wastewater and desalination treatments are being implemented to prevent a future catastrophe.
A growing population, combined with lack of infrastructure and increasing climate change still mean problems exist: Cape Town is planning for a “Day Zero” scenario when all taps run out of water.
There’s more stories from 2018. Check out the Best of 2018 series here.