Dam levels update: 53,7%

03 March 2026

Managing our water use over the next three months remains vital, as we head to an unpredictable winter and continue to closely monitor our dam levels. Let’s continue to save water, Team Cape Town and only use this precious resource for essential purposes.

Key reminders:

• Cape Town is not in a drought however, the window to avoid water restrictions later this year is narrowing. Based on the current water usage trend, dam storage could drop as low as 40% by May if this year’s rainfall is average.
• Cape Town is in an early warning phase that reflects lower-than-expected dam levels and signals the need for continued careful use of water, even though taps are running normally.
• While there is no immediate threat to supply, the system is entering a more sensitive period ahead of winter rainfall.

Over the past week, water usage has started to drop, reaching 1 012 million litres of water a day (MLD) from 1 073 MLD last week. However, water-saving remains necessary as consumption remains 37 MLD over the target. Cape Town’s dam storage levels currently stand at 53,7%. This will need to last until the next seasonal rainfall cycle.

‘Thank you, Team Cape Town, we can see your savings reflecting in this week’s latest dashboard. For the first time in weeks, the water usage has dropped to be closer to the 1000 MLD mark. 

‘About 70% of all water used in the city is used in homes, so we all have a part to play in getting us all below the target of 975 MLD that has been set to help us collectively manage our supply until winter. Let’s keep saving to see the usage drop.
 
‘With dam levels being 17% lower compared to last year, and unpredictable rainfall, we have to use water responsibly and be water wise at all times, especially now,’ said Councillor Zahid Badroodien, Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation.
 
Tips to keep water usage down:

• Find and fix water leaks on your property.
  If dripping taps, leaking toilets and faulty plumbing go undetected and ignored for a long time, a lot of water is wasted.
  
  
• Monitor your own usage and make the effort to save water.
  Only water the garden at night to prevent evaporation and avoid topping up swimming pools or pool inflatables unnecessarily.
  
  
• Report burst municipal pipes immediately to the City through formal channels.
  There are various ways to report a leak or a pipe burst:
  • Call 086 010 3089 (select option 2)
  • SMS 31373
  • WhatsApp 060 018 1505
  • Email water@capetown.gov.za
  • Please provide an exact location or address and always insist on a reference number.
    
    
• Switch to treated effluent re-use for industrial irrigation or construction purposes.
  The City promotes and supplies treated effluent to large water users such as industry, sports clubs, golf clubs, large new developments and schools.

Information:

Find more water saving tips on the City's website.
 
See the City’s action plan to be water-wise and build Cape Town’s water secure future.

Listen to the media briefing held on Wednesday 25 February here.

Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office