The first winter rains have helped dam levels in the province.
Anton Bredell, Western Cape Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, said on Monday he was pleased to note dam levels in the Western Cape were rising after good rains over the previous couple of days. “Although the recent cold fronts have caused localised flooding in the Cape Metropole, the rising dam levels are to be welcomed,” he said.
According to the latest data supplied by the Department of Water and Sanitation, dams feeding Cape Town, which include the Wemmershoek Dam, Voëlvlei Dam, Steenbras Upper and Lower Dams, Theewaterskloof Dam and Berg River Dam, are currently at a combined level of 72,1%. This is an increase from last week’s level of 71,2%.
Voëlvlei Dam was at 60,1%, and Theewaterskloof Dam 73,7%, “which bodes well for the City of Cape Town,” Bredell said.
When looking at all dams in the province, the level at the time of writing was 56,79%, an increase from 51,36% measured last week.
Bredell said although dam levels were rising people should continue to use water sparingly. “During the dry summer months we are watching with great concern how dam levels inch lower and lower each week,” he said. “Let us now watch levels inching upwards. If we continue to save water now, we will derive the maximum water security going into the next summer season.”
Bredell also said municipalities should continue to maintain all water infrastructure and water distribution networks. “Ensure you can get the maximum amount of water into your storage systems to supply to end users with the minimum of leakage.”
