Cape Town dam levels 13% lower than last year, still no rain in sight
· The South African
Combined capacity at Cape Town’s dams is roughly 13 percentage points lower than this time last year, while below-average rainfall forecasts raise fresh concerns about water security.
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The latest figures from the City of Cape Town on Wednesday, 19 August show total storage at 694 875 million litres, or 77.4% capacity.
That compares with 90.6% a year ago, a difference of 13.2 percentage points.
The City has warned that the outlook for Cape Town’s water supply is more uncertain. It says there is no immediate risk to supply, but the possibility of restrictions has increased compared with previous years.
The City’s latest Water Outlook found that demand exceeded its 1.5% target during the 2025/26 financial year. This was largely linked to an early end to the rainy season and an extended dry summer.
Household water use has also remained higher than expected during winter, falling mainly when rain arrives.
On Monday, the City published the following infographic:
Dam levels remain stable, but rainfall is uncertain
Heavy rain and flooding in the autumn months helped Cape Town’s dams fill sooner than expected. By early July, total storage had reached about 76%, with the City assessing the immediate supply risk as low.
The latest figures show dam levels have edged higher since then. However, the City says seasonal forecasts point to below-average rainfall for the remainder of the winter rainfall season.
The next 10 days in Cape Town are expected to be mostly dry and sunny. While that may be welcome news for those emerging from winter hibernation, it offers little relief for the city’s water supply.
Cape Town’s dams need more rainfall to strengthen the buffer ahead of the drier months.
The City is monitoring conditions closely and will assess whether low-level water restrictions could become necessary.
City officials are trying to avoid a repeat of the 2017/18 Cape Town water crisis, and the looming threat of a ‘Day Zero.’
“We are not waiting for the next drought to start preparing,” said Zahid Badroodien, Cape Town’s Mayco Member for Water and Sanitation.
The City is investing in new water sources and ways to manage existing supplies. Its stated goal is a more diverse and resilient water system.
Current Dam Water Levels:
Major damsStorageMl% Capacity when full 19/8/2026 Berg River130 01091.6Steenbras Lower33 51752.6Steenbras Upper31 76789.4Theewaterskloof480 18877.7Voëlvlei164 09560.9Wemmershoek58 64496.6Total Stored Ml898 221694 875% Storage 77.4City urges residents to use water wisely
Cape Town’s current water consumption is sitting at 847 million litres per day (MLD), which is below the City’s winter target of 860 MLD.
The Western Cape Water Supply System does more than supply Cape Town though. It also serves towns across the Overberg, Boland, West Coast and Swartland, while providing irrigation water for agriculture.
With rainfall uncertain, the City is urging residents and businesses to limit unnecessary water use.
“Every reduction in unnecessary water use helps to protect Cape Town’s available resources,” Badroodien added.
Click here for the City of Cape Town’s top water-saving tips