Western Cape dam levels not recovering
Cape residents are having to rein in their water consumption even more.
Level 5 water restrictions have been implemented as the dam levels fail to recover.
The provincial environmental affairs department says the average water levels for dams across the Western Cape is 33.6%.
MEC of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning in the Western Cape, Anton Bredell says dam levels have not been recovering as they should for this time of the year.
In the corresponding period last year, towards the end of the province's usual winter rainfall period, the dam levels were at 61%.
"The ongoing situation must be addressed both from supply side as well as demand side. Last week the province announced its plans to augment water supply across the Western Cape. Now we call on the public once more to do even more to conserve water and drive water use down even further."
Level 5 water restrictions caps individual domestic property usage at 20kl per month.
Property owners will face major fines should they not adhere to the stringent water restrictions.
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Bredell says: "We are planning ahead with an eye on the coming summer months when demand tends to increase rapidly. We hope this year that demand can be kept down instead."
Theewaterskloof is currently at 26% (2016: 51%); Voëlvlei Dam is at 26% (2016: 65%) and Clanwilliam Dam 38% (2016: 99%).
The latest data is per the National Department of Water and Sanitation:
