Give a ‘dam’, save water- current levels 78,1%
07 August 2026
Whether washing dishes, brushing your teeth or watering your garden, let’s continue to keep water saving top of mind. Even though Cape Town’s dam levels are 78,1%, the water we currently have in our dams will need to last us through the upcoming summer when usage typically peaks, and until next year, without depending on unpredictable rainfall this year.
The City’s Water teams are continuing to closely monitor dam levels and water use as Cape Town is in a water scarce region and rainfall patterns are unpredictable due to climate change.
Typically, dam levels need to be 80% or more by the time the next Annual Operating Analysis (AOA) is done by the National Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) in November to avoid them from implementing water restrictions to a municipality.
Dam levels and water usage
Current dam levels are 78,1% as of Monday, 3 August 2026.
This is 6,7% less compared to the same time last year, which was 84,8%.
Water usage is 846 million litres of water a day (MLD) on Monday, 3 August 2026. This is 14 MLD less than the winter usage target of 860 MLD.
Saving water at your fingertips
‘Water is a precious resource so all of us need to care about it and do what we can, where we are, to protect it and use what we need. Saving water is in our hands literally and figuratively. Rainfall is unpredictable so there are no guarantees of when it will come and if it comes, how much will come and where it will land.
‘As a City, we continue to repair reported leaks and burst water pipes, and proactively replace water pipes even before they burst through our annual maintenance programme.
‘As part of building Cape Town’s long-term water secure future, the City cannot depend on rainfall so we are actively funding and investing R570 million in our New Water Programme this financial year. This is the action plan to help build Cape Town’s resilient water supply through projects such as desalination, groundwater, reuse and clearing of water-thirsty alien invasive plants.
‘No matter how much water is in the dams, or what the weather is, let’s keep using water wisely, starting today,’ said Councillor Zahid Badroodien, the Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation.
Remember to report burst municipal pipes immediately to the City’s formal channels:
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.
End
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
