Dams half empty at 50,4% as Team Cape Town’s window to act narrows
18 March 2026
Over this past week, spiking high water usage, coupled with the continued heat wave, has resulted in Cape Town’s dam levels hitting half empty at 50,4%. As the recent heatwave subsides, Team Cape Town, please remember that water must only be used for essential purposes - in and out of a heatwave- as we manage our dam levels together. Our collective water usage between now and May matters.
Key reminders:
- Our collective water usage between now and the start of winter rainfall matters. Let’s make changes over the next few weeks so we can keep our dams fuller. We will be in a better position if we use less water now and can delay possible restrictions, which no one wants. If demand remains high, the City’s options narrow and the likelihood of restrictions being introduced earlier than November, increases.
- 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.
- The water system is entering a more sensitive period as every drop counts ahead of unpredictable winter rainfall.
Current dam levels and how much water Cape Town used
Over the past week,
water usage has increased to 1 058 million litres of water a day (MLD) from 1 018 MLD last week.
This is 83 MLD over the usage target.
Cape Town’s dam storage levels currently stand at 50,4%. We need to conserve as much water as possible by the last day of May so that we have more water stored ahead of the winter rains, which is predicted to be less than average.
Team Cape Town, let’s save water together
‘We are at a pivotal stage in our water journey this hydrological year, also known as the rainy season, where every drop matters now and together, we can still change the high usage trend we have been seeing over recent weeks, to manage our dam levels.
‘The 50,4% water that we have in our dams will need to last Cape Town with supply through both this winter and possibly into next summer and 2027, depending on how much rainfall we get this year. In the face of unpredictable rainfall, we cannot depend on what winter will bring. We can only be certain of what we currently have now.
‘Our collective water use has been way over the target of 975 MLD that has been set to help us collectively manage our supply until winter.
‘Team Cape Town, we have done it before and can do it again. As Cape Town experiences soaring temperatures this week, our call is for Team Cape Town to please keep hydrated and cool, while remembering to use water wisely and responsibly in and around our homes, businesses and industries, and for essential purposes only,’ 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:
-
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:
Listen to the media briefing held on Wednesday 25 February
here.
END
Published by:
Media Office, City of Cape Town
