Cape Town dam levels see nominal decrease to 99,9%

19 October 2020

The total capacity of dams supplying the Cape Town metro slightly decreased from 100,5% to 99,9% between 12 October 2020 and 18 October, a 0,6% change from the previous week. Water consumption for the same period increased by 27 million litres per day from an average of 691 million litres per day the previous week to 718 million litres per day. At the same time last year, dam levels were at 81,9%. Read more below:

‘There has been a nominal decrease in dam levels by less than 1% this past week, which has seen the dam levels border the 100% mark to 99,9%.

‘Consultations around appropriate tariffs and restrictions for the 2020/21 hydrological year (which runs from 1 November to 31 October) have been taking place and the outcome will be communicated in due course.

‘Tariffs are currently on the second lowest level possible in terms of the City’s 2020/21 Budget, and have come down significantly since the peak of the drought. The no restriction ‘water-wise’ tariff which is under consideration, will provide slight relief if implemented. The possibility of tariff relief must be balanced against the funds needed to build additional resilience against climate change by investing in future water sources,’ said Alderman Xanthea Limberg, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Waste.

In a few short years, we have gone from the worst drought to face our city and a potential ‘Day Zero’, to the real prospect of zero water restrictions besides the need to stay water-wise.

For more information on new water sources, water restrictions (Level 1 currently in place), guidelines around alternative water sources such as boreholes and rainwater tanks, as well as tariff information, please visit https://www.capetown.gov.za/thinkwater

More information about the City’s Water Strategy can be found here: https://www.capetown.gov.za/general/cape-town-water-strategy 

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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office