WHILE dam levels have risen slightly as the province experiences rainfall and snow, levels are still much lower than last year.
The past two years have seen a dramatic drop in dam levels. Overall figures for this week show dams are at 42.2%.
Figures for the Breede and Gouritz River catchments show that in 2010 levels stood at 63%; 67% in 2011; 79% in 2012; 84% in 2013, and 73% in 2014.
Last year, levels dropped dramatically to 55%. Levels are at an all-time low of 33% this year.
The Berg and Olifants river catchments stood at 85% in 2010; 81% in 2011; 84% in 2012; 92% in 2013, and 81% in 2014.
Levels fell massively in 2015 to just 55%. Levels are now at 40%.
Cape Town residents are also doing their bit to reduce their water usage and since restrictions have been implemented, usage has dropped by 10%, the City said.
Continued rainfall over the past two weeks in the Western Cape has increased dam levels from 38.09% last week to 42.2%.
At the same time last year levels were on average 62.5%.
Local Government and Environmental Affairs and Development Planning MEC Anton Bredell said despite the slight increase, the province is not out of the woods.
"We're very happy about the rain, but we still have some way to go for dams to reach more comfortable levels. We're also glad about the snowfall we've seen in the province.
"The snow plays an important role in supplying the system with water once it starts melting," he said.
Mayco member for utility services Ernest Sonnenberg said the response to Level 2 water restrictions has seen overall consumption drop.
“With dam levels still low, it is important that residents maintain and increase their efforts. A collective commitment to saving water at all times is essential to ensuring that our dams recover as best as possible over the rainy season.”
Economic Opportunities MEC Alan Winde said fallout from the low water levels included rising food prices and potential job losses.
Emerging farmers face the biggest risk during the drought, and emergency funding has been given to emerging grain farmers, Winde said.
"The agriculture sector is an important employer, specifically in our rural areas.
"As part of relief measures, where farmers are battling to pay farmworker wages, the support package provided a subsidy amounting to 70% of the minimum wage, or R1 824.75 per month, per employee.
"In total, we have allocated R32 million in drought relief to date.
"Next month, we will allocate an additional R9m for the purchase of fodder," Winde said.
Food and Allied Workers Union general secretary Katishi Masemola said while no immediate job losses had been reported, the fallout of the drought would be felt in the months to come.
"Low levels of dams are worrying. There will be a clear negative impact on agricultural operations.
"When dams dry up it means less work. Farms need water for irrigation and to maintain operations.
"We could see people forced to lay off workers and downscale operations," he said.
The South African Weather Service is forecasting more rain for the province over the coming month.