Theewaterskloof dam Cape Town dams

Theewaterskloof dam, November 2018. (Christian Putsche / Twitter)

Cape Town dams: Water levels slip further to 72.9%

It’s not even the summer months yet, and the Cape Town dams are dwindling. Things may look better than last year, but complacency is a killer.

Theewaterskloof dam Cape Town dams

Theewaterskloof dam, November 2018. (Christian Putsche / Twitter)

Another sweltering weekend in the region has seen the Cape Town dams slip under the 73% mark for the first time since September. The approach to summer is taking its toll on the reserves, but they are more than twice as full as they were last year.

Theewaterskloof has had a little trauma, losing 0.3% of its water over the last seven days. Things are still looking decent for Voelvlei and Berg Rivier though, despite recording their own marginal losses. Clanwilliam has seen a decrease of over 4% in the last week.

The combined total loss since Monday 5 November stands at 0.7%. Far from disastrous, but it certainly serves as a caution to Capetonians. Water conservation must still be taken seriously, as a way of life rather than just a “passing fad”.

Western Cape and Cape Town dams: Water levels for 12 November:

Information for both WC and Cape Town dams (Western Cape government)
  • Theewaterskloof dam – 56.6% full this week (2017: 24.6%. Last week: 56.9%)
  • Voëlvlei dam – 93.7% full this week (2017: 27.5%. Last week: 95.11%)
  • Bergriver Dam 98.5% full this week (2017: 66.5%. Last week: 99.2%)
  • Clanwilliam Dam 94.1%. (2017: 36.3%. Last week: 98.3%)

Anton Bredell is the minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning in the Western Cape. He’s explained that there is still a water crisis on their hands, as the Karoo region of the province suffers desperately at the hands of drought:

“While outlying areas are better off, the situation in the town of Beaufort West is very serious. A National government disaster classification remains in effect. It must be noted that the town has long not relied on surface water with the major dams being empty for a long time.”

“Instead the town relies on boreholes and a water reclamation plant for its supply of drinking water. The plant remains operational and there are additional plans in motion to drill additional boreholes.”

“There are things we can all do to make a real difference. It starts with being water conscious and water-wise. Our disaster management department has a permanent ongoing presence in the area to monitor the situation.”