Dams in the Western Cape have reached their highest levels in four years owing to good rainfall.
Some major dams are already 100% full, while others, such as the Clanwilliam dam, have reported a second weekly increase in excess of 20% in the past week, reaching 91.6%.
“The total average level for dams across the province is 61.2% – the best level it has been in four years. On August 3, 2015, the level was 79%. On August 2, 2016, the average dam level for the province was 54%,” Western Cape Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning Minister Anton Bredell said on Monday.
By August 7, 2017, the average dam level for the Western Cape had plunged to 28%.
The Theewaterskloof dam, which, at that stage, was only 22% full, is currently at 66.5%, Bredell added.
“The City of Cape Town currently sees its dam levels nearing 80%, while the greatest ongoing concern for the province remains the rural Karoo region of the Western Cape where the situation – especially in the agriculture area – remains serious.”
Citizens are urged to continue using water sparingly, despite the good rainfall and increased dam levels, as the scarce resource remains under pressure.