WC Water Update

4 March 2019

Statement by Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Anton Bredell.

The average water level for dams in the Western Cape currently stands at 40.5% (2018: 20.3%). Dams supplying the City of Cape Town have decreased to 52.7% (2018: 23.2%). Last year at this time the Theewaterskloof dam was only 10% full and rapidly emptying further. At the moment the dam – the largest in the province is 40.8% full.

Anton Bredell, the minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning in the Western Cape says the province is approaching the regular winter rainfall period.

“We remain concerned about some regions, in particular the Karoo regions of the province but we are grateful to see water levels roughly double what they were last year at this time. It is normal to see dam levels dropping over the hot and dry summer months, as has been the case again this past season. We are hopeful of another good winter rainfall period, but only time will tell. In the interim we continue to urge responsible water usage, even in areas where there may be more water.”

Bredell has also called on municipalities to better manage the water supply and provision in their areas of responsibility.

“We are still seeing too much water being wasted including in areas where the situation is dire. Local authorities in these affected areas must tackle water leaks and waste and clamp down hard on abusers.”

Major Dam statistics

Theewaterskloof dam – 40.8% full this week (2018: 10.7%. Last week: 41.8%)

Voëlvlei dam – 65.6% full this week (2018: 15.5%. Last week: 67.4%)

Bergriver Dam 73.7% full this week (2018: 49.6%. Last week: 75.1%).

Clanwilliam Dam 33.4%. (2018: 8.1%. Last week: 37.4%) 

ENDS.