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.
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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.