In Cape Town, the dam levels have slightly dropped to 93.1% this week, marking a minor decrease from the previous week, but substantially higher than the 72.7% recorded at the same time last year.
Cape Town dam levels: Here are the latest updates
This week’s water report from Cape Town indicated a 2.1% decrease in dam levels compared to the previous week, settling at 93.1%. This slight decrease still leaves the dam levels notably higher than the 72.7% recorded during the same period last year.
Notwithstanding the high dam levels, Cape Town’s average daily water consumption was reported to be around 991 million litres per day (MLD), exceeding the city’s target of 800 MLD by a considerable margin.
The water supply system encompassing Cape Town’s dams extends beyond the city, serving numerous towns in the Overberg, Boland, West Coast, and Swartland areas, as well as providing irrigation water for agriculture.
A closer look at the individual capacities of major dams like Berg River, Steenbras Lower and Upper, Theewaterskloof, Voëlvlei, and Wemmershoek shows variations in storage levels, with capacities ranging between 88.2% and 99.9%.
RELATED – Cape Town water maintenance will effect these areas from Monday, 11 December 2023
| Dams | This Week | Previous Week | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Berg River | 96.9% | 98.3% | 88.7% |
| Steenbras Lower | 88.2% | 90.0% | 75.3% |
| Steenbras Upper | 98.8% | 99.3% | 91.8% |
| Theewaterskloof | 91.3% | 94.2% | 70.4% |
| Voëlvlei | 93.0% | 94.2% | 58.3% |
| Wemmershoek | 99.9% | 99.9% | 84.9% |
Year-on-year comparisons of water levels reveal a significant improvement, indicating a positive trend in Cape Town’s water storage and management strategies. This long-term perspective is crucial for the city’s planning and implementation of water-saving measures.
Despite the current high dam levels, Cape Town continues to stress the importance of water conservation.
Residents are urged to actively save water and adhere to conservation guidelines. The city provides resources and tips for water-saving measures, alongside information on current water restrictions.