Water conservation in Cape Town pushes 'Day Zero' back to July

Officials in Cape Town on Tuesday moved the date when taps are expected to run dry in the drought-stricken city to July 9 from June 4, after residents cut back on their water usage.

• The backdrop: "Day Zero" for South Africa's second most populous city was initially slated for April 22 and has gradually been pushed back. The city has experienced three consecutive years of drought, and rains needed to refill dams have not come. The hope is that by July, South Africa's winter, rains will return and push Day Zero off indefinitely.

• Until then: The Daily Maverick reports that water usage restrictions are still in place and many retail outlets are limiting how much bottled water customers can buy — "rest assured that the city will be quick to shame said residents should they use too much water yet again."