The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has noted downward movements in dam storage across the Western Cape this week, with both the Western Cape Water Supply System and the overall state of dams recording a decline.

According to the latest data released for immediate release on 19 October, the Western Cape Water Supply System (WCWSS) decreased from 74.39% last week to 73.48% this week, representing a decline of 0.91 percentage points. The Western Cape State of Dams (WCSD) decreased from 79.95% last week to 79.18% this week.

Dam levels

Theewaterskloof Dam, the largest dam in the Western Cape Water Supply System, decreased from 74.66% last week to 73.56% currently.

In the Berg River catchment, Lower Steenbras and Voëlvlei Dams are at 46.44% and 56.15% respectively. Lower Steenbras was at 46.56% last week, while Voëlvlei dropped from 57.63%.

The Berg River Catchment as a whole declined from 74.48% last week to 73.73% this week, compared to 99.87% at the same time last year, highlighting the pressure on the system heading into summer.

Other figures released include Misverstand Dam, which dropped from 102.99% last week to 98.67% this week, compared to 107.79% last year, and Wemmershoek Dam, which decreased from 84.61% to 82.33%, compared to 86.69% last year.

One outlier was Steenbras Upper, which recorded an increase from 96.52% last week to 100.17% this week, up from 99.83% last year.

Provincial Head of the Department of Water and Sanitation, Ms Ntombizanele Bila-Mupariwa, has urged residents, businesses and industries to continue using water responsibly and avoid unnecessary wastage.

“Latest dam level figures show that several dams across the Western Cape have recorded decreases compared to the previous week, while Upper Steenbras recorded an increase,” said Ms Bila-Mupariwa.

“We urge all water users to remain mindful of their consumption and use water responsibly. Water conservation is a collective responsibility, and every effort contributes to the sustainable management of our water resources.”

Monitor progress

She reiterated that the Department will continue to monitor the province’s water situation closely and provide regular updates on the status of its water resources.

“We are also counting down to the second of November where we will re-run the water resource model to confirm the need for and magnitude of water restrictions,” added Ms Bila-Mupariwa.

The department said it will re-run the water resource model on 2 November to determine whether water restrictions will be needed and what level they should be.

With summer approaching and dam levels now trending downward, authorities are calling for continued conservation across households, businesses and industry to protect the province’s supply.

Residents are reminded that every litre saved contributes to the sustainable management of water resources in the Western Cape.

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