The Overberg region is facing mounting water security concerns as dam levels continue their steep decline, with authorities warning of a potential repeat of the devastating 2017 water crisis that brought parts of the Western Cape to the brink of “Day Zero.”
De Bos Dam, a critical water source for the region, currently stands at 75,6% capacity – a significant drop from the 91,9% recorded on the same time last year on 18 January. The alarming 14,5 percentage point decline in just one year has prompted urgent appeals from municipal authorities for residents, businesses, and institutions to implement immediate water conservation measures.
Overstrand Municipal Manager Dean O’Neill issued a stark warning about the deteriorating situation, emphasising that the region could not afford to ignore the warning signs that preceded the 2017 crisis.
Water restrictions are already in effect across the Theewaterskloof Municipal Area as authorities scramble to manage dwindling supplies.
“We are once again appealing to all residents, businesses, and institutions to take water saving seriously and to fix and report any water leaks,” O’Neill said. “While each household’s water usage may seem insignificant on its own, together it makes a big difference.”
He stressed that responsible water use now could help keep dams stable for longer periods, potentially preventing the severe shortages that characterized the 2017 crisis when many areas faced imminent water supply cutoffs. Theewaterskloof Dam is currently on 60,2% and in January 2025 it was on 83,7%.
Authorities have outlined specific conservation measures residents can implement immediately:
• Report leaks via the Overstrand Citizen App or by calling 028 313 8111 (available 24/7);
• Fix household leaks promptly;
• Keep showers short and turn off taps while brushing teeth
• Cover swimming pools to prevent evaporation;
• Use greywater for garden irrigation;
• Avoid hosing down paved areas;
• Water gardens only before 09:00 or after 17:00;
• Check irrigation connections regularly for leaks.
The 2017 water crisis brought widespread dam levels below 20% and forced severe water restrictions across the Western Cape, with Cape Town nearly becoming the first major city in the world to run out of water completely.
Local authorities are monitoring the situation closely for the dry summer months when water consumption typically peaks due to increased agricultural irrigation and tourism activity. The current dam level decline comes amid concerns about erratic rainfall patterns and increasing demand on water resources in the popular coastal region.
