Western Cape dam level RISE a relief for City of Cape Town residents
As of Thursday, 17 July, the combined storage level of the six major dams has reached 83% capacity – up from 79.8% the previous week.
While encouraging, the current levels remain slightly lower than the 93.1% recorded at the same time last year. Theewaterskloof Dam : 78.4%
(The province's largest dam, supplying over half of Cape Town's water)
: 78.4% Voëlvlei Dam : 80.7%
: 80.7% Berg River, Steenbras Lower, Steenbras Upper, and Wemmershoek Dams: All show steady gains
Forecasters are predicting more cold fronts and sustained rainfall in the coming days, which could give dam levels another boost as the Western Cape benefits from a wetter-than-average winter season.
The rising dam levels are a stark contrast to the 2017-2018 water crisis, when Cape Town faced the looming threat of Day Zero – the point at which municipal water supplies would be shut off.
During that period, Theewaterskloof Dam plunged below 20%, and water rationing became a harsh reality for residents.
Although the risk has eased considerably, officials are reminding the public not to become complacent.
'While dam levels are encouraging, climate variability and long-term water demand still pose significant risks,' a City spokesperson warned.
'Water conservation must remain part of our everyday habits.'
Residents are urged to continue using water sparingly and report leaks to help maintain the city's improved water security.
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