The Western Cape’s water security remains robust as the province transitions into spring, with overall dam levels holding steadily at 84,1% despite a slight weekly decline, the Department of Water and Sanitation announced last week.
While provincial dam levels dropped marginally from the previous week’s 84,6%, officials expressed satisfaction with the current water situation, noting that most major dams in the Western Cape Water Supply System continue to operate above 90% capacity.
However, authorities are urging residents, farmers, and industries to maintain responsible water usage practices, emphasising that strong dam levels should not lead to complacency in water conservation efforts as the province enters the traditionally drier spring and summer months ahead.
Since the start of winter this year, the dams have been impounding water by about three percent per week, but some of the dams have been declining by less than one percent at the beginning of the Spring season .
Theewaterskloof dam is currenty on 84,86% while Steenbras Upper is on 101,3%. In the Overstrand the dam levels are as follows: De Bos dam, 100,29%; Buffelsrivier at Betty’s Bay, 100%; Kraaibosch at Gansbaai, 100%; Koekemoer dam at Pearly Beach, 100%; while the Eikenhof dam near Grabouw is 101,3% full.
Western Cape Acting Provincial Head, Mashudru Morovhi said the Department is satisfied with the water levels in the WCWSS, although there are some fluctuations in other dams. He has also called for water users in the province to use water wisely, despite the satisfactory water levels.
“We are satisfied about the state of provincial dams that have been stabilising above 80% for the past two months. Most of the dams in the Western Cape Water Supply System have also been above 90%, but we still caution both residents, farmers and industries to continue using water responsibly.”
Morovhi said that department would continue to measure and monitor the situation closely and take the necessary measures to safeguard the province’s water resources.
“It is our collective responsibility to protect our water resource and ensure that it is used sustainably to fuel our country’s transformational and developmental agenda.”
