Regardless of the massive storm that had passed over the province a few weeks ago, the average water levels for dams across the province had only meagerly improved.
According to the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), the province’s water storage had shown a slight increase of 2% from 19,44% of capacity the previous week, to 21,26% currently. In June 2016, Western Cape dams were roughly 30% full.
“Despite recent rainfall, the Western Cape remains a drought stricken province. Although there has been a slight increase in the average dam levels, we are still a long way off from breaking this ongoing drought,” said local government MEC, Anton Bredell.
He added that government was hoping to see dam levels improve to about 75% of capacity by October, ahead of the coming summer period.
In the week of 19 June, dams in the Berg River catchment were at 30,44% of capacity, the Breede River catchment was 19,01% full, and the Gouritz River catchment was at 18,85% of capacity.
The Olifants/Doorn River catchment was 15,16% full, and the Cape Town dams were at an average of 22,73% of capacity.
Meanwhile, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Informal Settlements, Water and Waste Services and Energy, Xanthea Limberg, encouraged water users to continue using water responsibly as it could take a few seasons of normal rainfall for dams to fully recover.
“We must also bear in mind that we are expecting an even tougher summer in 2018,” she cautioned.
