Cape dam levels now sitting at 101% after recent winter rains

The Berg River and Steenbras Upper dams are reportedly at 100% capacity. Picture: Armand Hough/African News Agency (ANA)

The Berg River and Steenbras Upper dams are reportedly at 100% capacity. Picture: Armand Hough/African News Agency (ANA)

Published Jul 30, 2024

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Cape Town - The City of Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Department has continued to encourage residents across the metro to continue utilising water-saving initiatives to keep the city’s water usage levels down.

The City of Cape Town’s average water use over the past week is sitting at 847 million litres per day (MLD), which is lower than our current maximum usage target/limit of 950 MLD.

This is despite Cape Town’s dam levels now having surpassed the 100% mark, having increased by 0.8% from 99.3%, this time last week to reach 100.1%. A notable increase from the water systems’ 99.1% level when compared to the same period last year.

Cape Town’s water system is part of an intricate provincial water supply system. Whereby several dams within the Western Cape are collectively used to service various regions and towns.

According to the City, although early winter rains have been above average, the City will continue to monitor these levels. It is important to continue using water wisely.

“This is so that we can keep our dams and reservoirs fuller for longer,” the local municipality wrote.

While Cape Town’s latest dam levels stand at 100.1%, permanent regulations limiting water use apply at all times.

Meanwhile, dams that form part of the Western Cape water supply system are currently sitting at:

  • Berg River: 101.6%
  • Steenbras Lower: 103.3%
  • Steenbras Upper:  100.6%
  • Theewaterskloof: 104.6%
  • Voëlvlei: 89.7%
  • Wemmershoek:  99.9%
  • Total Stored: 101.0%

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