Unseasonable September heat compounds Western Cape water woes as dam levels drop 17% below last year following driest winter on record.
Western Cape dam levels edged lower this week as Premier Alan Winde warned of a hot, dry El Niño summer and urged residents to use water sparingly.
Western Cape dam levels appear healthy at 79,5% but underlying winter rainfall patterns reveal concerning drought conditions for agriculture and water security.
Despite full dams following May’s floods, Nelson Mandela Bay residents continue battling water outages as critical reservoir levels hamper recovery efforts.
Dam levels across the Western Cape have recorded further gains this week, with the provincial storage now at 73.97%.
Cape Town’s R5 billion desalination plant at Paarden Eiland faces opposition over costs, site concerns, and the City’s troubled track record.
Western Cape dam levels rose to 71.47%, recovering from floods, while authorities warn of more severe weather impacting communities.
The Western Cape’s water reserves have maintained their recovery momentum, with dam levels continuing to rise two weeks after devastating floods.
Several dams in the Free State are overflowing and may cause water courses to flood after heavy rain in recent weeks.
Cape Town’s recent rainfall boosted dam levels to 61.2%, but officials still urge residents to conserve water despite the rise.