CAPE TOWN – The Western Cape province has experienced a remarkable 10% increase in dam water levels following substantial rainfall that concluded yesterday, the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has reported.
Despite this welcome development, authorities continue to advise residents to use water sparingly across the region, emphasising that conservation efforts must remain a priority despite the improved outlook.
According to the latest hydrological report, the Cape Town Water Supply System has risen significantly from 64.65% to 73.11%. This represents a marked improvement compared to the same period last year, when levels stood at 68.06%.
The current increase demonstrates a notable acceleration in water accumulation, as dam levels had previously been rising at approximately 2% per week over the past month.
Western Cape Provincial Head of the DWS, Ntombizanele Bila-Mupariwa, cautioned against complacency despite the encouraging figures.
“Even though we have received some rain over the past few days and witnessed a slight increase in our dam levels, water users are encouraged to continue using water sparingly,” she stated. “We cannot predict future weather patterns due to the impacts of climate change, but we remain hopeful for more rain as we move further into winter.”
All major dams comprising the water supply system have registered increases, with detailed figures as follows:
Major Dam Levels Comparison
| Dam Name | Last Week (%) | This Week (%) |
| Theewaterskloof | 63.06 | 70.78 |
| Voëlvlei | 61.53 | 66.30 |
| Berg River | 75.09 | 91.71 |
| Wemmershoek | 63.07 | 74.02 |
| Steenbras Upper | 92.39 | 96.44 |
| Steenbras Lower | 44.86 | 51.17 |
Bila-Mupariwa affirmed that the department will maintain vigilant monitoring of the situation and implement necessary measures to safeguard the province’s vital water resources.
She emphasised the collective responsibility of residents, businesses, and industries to minimise unnecessary water consumption and adopt water-saving practices. These measures remain essential to sustaining the province’s water supply until more substantial rainfall occurs.
The recent rainfall brings welcome relief to a region that has faced significant water security challenges in recent years, though experts maintain that long-term conservation efforts must continue to ensure resilience against future drought conditions.
- The Western Cape can ready itself for more rain this week, as another cold front is schedule to start moving in tomorrow (1 July), bringing more widespread rain across the province.
