Looking back at the dam levels a year ago, nearly all of the major ones within the Western Cape have shown promising results from recent rainfall
Thanks to consecutive cold fronts, the Western Cape Government has been able to report hopeful stats on the current water crisis. Dams are sitting in a much better place than this time last year.
While the cold fronts have been brutal for everyone, the rainfall that has come with them has been greatly appreciated. Many of the important catchment areas have had an increase in dam levels.
As you can see from the table below, 6 major dams have had a wonderful increase in water levels.
At the moment, strict water restrictions are still in place and should be continuously adhered to until further notice. It is only with constant monitoring, water saving and seasonal rainfall, that the Western Cape will be able to get out of its crippling drought.
Just in case, here is a refresher of what the water restrictions still entail.
Level 6B water restrictions include:
- A daily limit of 50 litres or less per person whether at home, work, school or elsewhere.
- Outdoor usage of boreholes is strongly discouraged. Usage for irrigation purposes will be limited to a maximum of one hour only on Tuesdays and Saturdays before 09:00 and after 18:00.
- Borehole/wellpoint water use must be metered and all users are required to keep records and have these available for inspection.
- Permission from the national Department of Water and Sanitation is needed to sell or buy borehole/wellpoint water.
- Agricultural users need to reduce usage by 60% compared with the corresponding period in 2015 (pre-drought)
- Commercial properties need to reduce usage by 45% compared with the corresponding period in 2015 (pre-drought)
- Residential units using excessive amounts of water will be fined or have water management devices installed on their properties.
- Hosing down of paved surfaces with municipal drinking water is illegal.
- Irrigation or watering with municipal drinking water is illegal.
- No use of portable play pools.
- Washing of vehicles, trailers, caravans or boats with municipal drinking water is illegal.
- Filling/topping up of private swimming pools with municipal drinking water is illegal.
- Water features may not use municipal drinking water.
- All residents are strongly encouraged to install water-efficient parts, fittings and technologies to minimise water use at all taps, showerheads and other plumbing mechanisms.
We look forward to seeing what the Winter brings. Stay warm and water-wise folks.
by 