The Western Cape is witnessing a curious juxtaposition of dwindling dam levels and escalating water usage.
Here are the latest stats of the six major Western Cape dams
The latest report from the City of Cape Town paints a vivid picture of this scenario.
As the region grapples with a notable drop in dam levels, now at 84.6% capacity, down 1.90% from the previous week, the average daily water consumption has surged to a staggering 1.003 billion litres.
While this figure might sound like an ocean of water, the reality is less refreshing. The Western Cape’s major dams, crucial life sources for the province, are feeling the pinch.
The largest of these, Theewaterskloof Dam, currently holds 82.6% of its 480 billion litre capacity. This is a significant drop from last week’s 84.2%.
Not to be outdone, the smaller but equally vital Voëlvlei Dam, with a capacity of 164 billion litres, now sits at 81.5% full, a slight dip from the previous week’s 84.8%.
Meanwhile, the Berg River Dam, a key player in the region’s water security, shows similar trends. Its current level of 88.5% of its 130 billion litre capacity, though commendable, is a decrease from last week’s 90.2%.
Here’s a look at this week’s major Western Cape dam levels.
MAJOR DAMS (WCWSS) | CAPACITY | % | % | % | % | % | % |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MI | 15 January 2024 | Previous week | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |
BERG RIVER | 130,010 | 88.5 | 90.2 | 82.5 | 92.5 | 88.9 | 87.5 |
STEENBRAS LOWER | 33,517 | 82.8 | 85.1 | 68.0 | 85.4 | 82.7 | 79.5 |
STEENBRAS UPPER | 31,767 | 97.4 | 97.8 | 92.0 | 95.6 | 68.7 | 99.5 |
THEEWATERSKLOOF | 480,188 | 82.6 | 84.2 | 62.1 | 93.4 | 90.8 | 64.5 |
VOELVLEI | 164,095 | 81.5 | 84.8 | 51.8 | 87.4 | 83.8 | 76.6 |
WEMMERSHOEK | 58,644 | 96.0 | 97.4 | 79.3 | 82.1 | 88.4 | 76.6 |
TOTAL STORED | 898,221 | 760,172 | 777,278 | 589,077 | 819,082 | 790,559 | 652,388 |
% STORAGE | 84.6% | 86.5% | 65.6% | 91.2% | 88.0% | 72.6% |
The rising daily water usage, now at the billion-litre mark, is a wake-up call for residents and authorities alike.
The juxtaposition of increasing consumption against the backdrop of decreasing dam levels is a paradox that requires immediate and collective action.
The need for sustained water conservation efforts is more pressing than ever, as the region’s reliance on dams is crystal clear.
The City of Cape Town’s message is unequivocal: wise water use is not just a choice but a necessity.
As the region navigates this challenging period, the balance between consumption and conservation becomes pivotal. The dams are speaking; it’s time we listen and act.