Here’s how the stringent water measures and recent rains have affected the dams in the Western Cape.
The City of Cape Town has confirmed that Day Zero has been pushed out to 2019.
Originally slated for April this year, the date has been steadily pushed out with the introduction of stringent water measures as well as some much needed rainfall.
On Tuesday, the City of Cape Town said on its website that Day Zero had been “pushed out to 2019.” Residents have been living with stringent consumption restrictions, which now stand at 50 litres per person per day. Those restrictions remain in effect.
“An El Nino-triggered drought two years ago hit agricultural production and economic growth throughout South Africa. Cape Town was particularly hard hit, and lack of good subsequent rains around the city has made its water shortage worse.
Relief for Cape Town, a major tourist draw famed for its mountain backdrop, beaches and nearby wine farms, may also be imminent, with good seasonal rains forecast. Cape Town typically gets rain in the southern hemisphere winter, starting around May. Above-average-rainfall is now forecast over the next three months, according to the latest seasonal outlook from the South African Weather Service.”
The rain over the Easter weekend has pushed up dam levels slightly in the Western Cape to 22.2 percent.
Dam levels for the province stood at 18.3 percent last week, compared with 19 percent the week before, according to the Department of Water Affairs.
The Theewaterskloof and Voelvlei dams still hover ominously at 10.6 and 14.4 percent respectively.
In contrast, water levels of the Steenbras Upper (80 percent), Berg River (44.7) and Wemmershoek (44 percent) provide more comfort.
AccuWeather predict that the Western Cape area will see more rain on Friday, April 6, and again on Thursday, April 19.
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