Cape Town dams: Water levels rise – and smash through ANOTHER milestone

It’s been a sensational few weeks or so for the Cape Town dams. The facilities, once brought to their knees by the threat of drought and ‘day zero’, have benefitted immensely from a wet and wild winter in the southwest. This week, the water levels continued to increase – breaching the ‘95% full’ mark in the process.

Cape Town dams: Water levels for Tuesday 20 July

An intense cold front that rolled over the province earlier this month brought with it heavy rain that led to flooding in some of Cape Town’s most vulnerable areas. Even though TWO more cold fronts are expected to cause widespread disruption once more this week, the added water security offers some relief for the province. As of Tuesday 20 July… 

• The total capacity of dams supplying the Cape Town metro increased by 2.4% in the last week
• That’s gone up from 93.2% in the previous week, meaning the dams are now 95.6% full.
• Daily water consumption for the same period decreased to 732 million litres per day.
• This is compared to 739 million litres the week before – a drop of seven million litres p/d.
• At the same time last year, dam levels were at 77.1%.

Could we get to 100% in the next few days?

With more rain, snow, and flooding on the cards for the next few days ahead, it’s not totally inconceivable that the Cape Town dams could reach FULL CAPACITY this time next week. However, locals are reminded that some limits on consumption and usage remain in place, despite the high water levels across the City’s reservoirs.

“Although water restrictions were lifted from 1 November 2020 regulations in the City’s water by-laws are in effect at all times: This includes restrictions on the use of outdoor taps (barring residential properties), which must be secured to prevent unauthorised use. Alternative water sources like boreholes and wells should be used sparingly and efficiently.”

“Watering with municipal drinking water is only allowed before 09:00 or after 18:00. Hosepipes used for watering or washing vehicles, must be fitted with a controlling device such as a spray nozzle or automatic self-closing device, and automated sprinkler systems (where permitted) must be correctly positioned and able to prevent water wastage.”

You can read more about Cape Town water by-laws here.