Cape Town dam levels rise after storm, but nowhere near enough

Great news, Cape Town. Your major dam levels have finally seen an increase week-over-week, albeit a tiny one.

After Wednesday’s punchy cold front and the weekend’s steady rainfall experienced across the city, water levels in all six major dams have seen a slight buff.

The Theewaterskloof Dam for instance — the city’s biggest reservoir — is now at 15.3% capacity, up from last week’s 13.6%.

The Berg River Dam is up from 30.4% to 32.2%.

Additionally, the Voelvlei Dam’s level showed an increase too, but only by 0.4% to 16.6%.

Image: City of Cape Town Weekly Water Dashboard report, 12 June 2017

Both Steenbras reservoirs and Wemmershoek Dam — the three smallest major dams — also boasted increased reserves.

Overall, dam levels have breached the combined 20% full mark, up from 19.6% last week to 21.2% this week.

Cape Town’s dams have increased from a combined 19.6% total last week to 21.2% this

While the rise is notable and should be celebrated, the current dam levels still leave the city in a precarious position going into the warmer months.

A drastic reduction in water usage has been noted though.

In the City’s extended report, the city’s combined consumption is now around 615-million litres per day, down from last week. It remains above the City’s 600-million litres per day target though.

The City of Cape Town on Twitter called for residents to continue to conserve water “irrespective of the rain”.

DROUGHT CRISIS WARNING: Irrespective of the rain, dam levels are only at 11.2%! #ThinkWaterCT & only use water for essential purposes. pic.twitter.com/2zQLDER1vS

— City of Cape Town (@CityofCT) June 13, 2017

Additionally, it confirmed that all water restrictions remain in place.