Cape Town dams remain above 80%, but water usage spikes

It’s been a while since we’ve written about Cape Town’s dams, but there’s been nothing short of good news for the city and its residents.

As of 7 October, the City’s six largest reservoirs are at a combined 81.3% full, dropping just 0.6% over the previous week.

The dams have actually been hovering above the 80% mark for the past two months.

Individual dam levels are as follows:

• The Theewaterskloof Dam is 71.2% full, dropping from 72.1% the previous week.
• Berg River Dam is 99.1% full, down from 99.4%.
• The Voëlvlei Dam is 88.5% full, down from 88.7%.
• Wemmershoek Dam is down from 92.1% to 91.9%.
• The Steenbras Lower and Upper dams are this week at 99.7% and 84.4% full respectively.

Water consumption spikes

As the summer draws nearer, and the memories of the drought and Day Zero in particular fade, Cape Town residents are now using more water.

Water consumption tipping 642-million litres per day was recorded during the previous week, the highest figure since the end of 2017. The City’s target remains 650-million litres per day.

Not a drop of rain has been recorded by the City of Cape Town so far this month.

Feature image: the Steenbras Dam in 2017, by the City of Cape Town