Dam levels update: 57,2%

18 February 2026

Team Cape Town, remember to stay hydrated this week as hot temperatures soar and only use water for essential purposes, as we manage our dam levels together.

Over the past week, water usage has dropped to 1 031 million litres of water a day (MLD) from 1 052 MLD last week. This is 56 MLD over the usage target. Cape Town’s dam storage levels currently stand at 57,2%. This will need to last until the next seasonal rainfall cycle.
 
‘While Cape Town experiences hot weather this week, and we absolutely need to keep ourselves hydrated and cool, please let us not also lose sight of using water wisely in and around our homes, businesses and industries, and for essential purposes only.

‘We cannot take our supply for granted so let’s continue to work together now towards reducing our water usage. It has been way over the target of 975 MLD that has been set to help us collectively manage our supply until winter.

‘With dam levels being 19% lower compared to last year, and unpredictable rainfall, we have to use water responsibly and be water wise at all times, especially this summer.

‘While there is no immediate cause for concern about water security in Cape Town, all of us use water, so we all have to save where we can,’ 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.
  About 70% of all water used in the city is used in homes, which is why saving water at home is so critical. 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.

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

Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office