For the last three years, we have been reporting the water level stats for dams in the Western Cape and can finally confirm that they are at their fullest in a 5 year period!
Western Cape, South Africa – Drought-stricken Western Cape avoided a day-zero thanks to the millions of citizens actively working to save water and reduce the usage.
An upswing in the winter rains and a continued effort to manage water has meant that dams levels are on the up for the first time in years!
The dams in and around Cape Town form part of the Western Cape Water Supply System, which is an integrated and collectively managed system of dams, pump stations, pipelines, and tunnels. In addition to servicing Cape Town, the system supplies water to towns in the Overberg, Boland, West Coast, and Swartland areas, and provides irrigation water for agriculture.
This is where the stats sit at the moment…
Restrictions are now being said to be discussed. More information on this matter will be released soonest but in the meantime, please continue to manage water as per the current water restrictions.
The consumption target is 650-million litres per day but it is currently sitting at around 675-million litres per day.
“We are aware that residents are anxious to know whether water restrictions will remain in place, and would like to remind the public that this must still be decided in consultation with the national department of water and sanitation (DWS) and all users of the Western Cape water supply system, including agricultural customers and other municipalities,” said Xanthea Limberg, mayoral committee member for water and waste.
“DWS has scheduled a meeting at the end of November, in which their modelling for the region’s next hydrological year will be presented for consideration and discussion by all users of the system.
“The city does not wish to preempt the outcome of this meeting, and as such will advise on the way forward once necessary consultations have taken place,” she added.
The restrictions are as follows:
- Watering/irrigation with municipal drinking water is allowed only before 09:00 or after 18:00 for a maximum of one hour per day per property as follows:
– on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays using dripper, drip line or soaker hose irrigation or using a bucket or watering can
– on Saturdays using sprinklers or a hosepipe fitted with a self-closing spray nozzle. - The use of municipal drinking water for water features is prohibited
- Topping up or filling of swimming pools with municipal drinking water is allowed subject to:
– The pool being covered with a non-permeable solid pool cover when not in use
– Recovery of backwash water and the use of rainwater for pool topping up where practically possible - Washing vehicles with municipal drinking water at home or at informal car washes is allowed using a bucket – not a hosepipe
- Commercial car washes may use municipal drinking water subject to industry best practice water conservation norms and the recycling of at least 50% of the water used
- Commercial and agricultural users who do not reduce their water usage will be fined in line with the City’s Water By-law (2010) and the Water Amendment By-law (2018).
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