The Cape Town water crisis may be easing as dam levels shoot towards normal levels once again, but when it comes to property for sale in Oudtshoorn, you’d be smart to take some positive lessons from the situation going forward.

Residents in the Western Cape were threatened with Day Zero as it quickly approached, and had to take drastic steps to quickly reduce their water consumption. This was a shock to their lifestyles and adapting was not that easy, while in some cases it was even quite costly.

However, this has turned out to be the most positive point to emerge from the disaster, as it has created a sustainable way for people to use water for years to come. Installing of grey water systems as well as boreholes has meant that many more people have become less dependent on the water supply from government.

It was also interesting to watch the way residents started sharing creative ways on how to save water during daily routines, such as washing the dishes or even being able to shower with just a single, small bucket.

Daily lives weren’t the only things affected though; interestingly the property market suffered too as there was a need for stock as well as less holiday rental occupancy as the drought went into a severe phase. However, word is finally starting to spread about the change in dam levels, and there are positive moves in both the property market and tourism industry as Cape Town starts to recover.

So, as the dust begins to settle after the initial panic around the dreaded Day Zero, it is wise for homeowners and potential property buyers to remember the lessons learned during this time so that generations to come are saved from the fate that was almost suffered by the current residents of the Mother City.