Good rainfall causing Western Cape dams to fill up rapidly

The latest average dam level in the province is 71.5%, which is 18.5% higher than the 2020 level of 53%. File Picture: Henk Kruger/African News Agency

The latest average dam level in the province is 71.5%, which is 18.5% higher than the 2020 level of 53%. File Picture: Henk Kruger/African News Agency

Published Jul 14, 2021

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Cape Town - A better than average rainfall season has caused the biggest dams in the province to fill up rapidly and further rainfall this week will add to dam and river levels across the Western Cape, Local Government and Environmental Affairs MEC Anton Bredell said.

He said the Clanwilliam dam has increased from 23.6% to 94.2% in the past 10 days and the biggest dam in the province, Theewaterskloof dam is currently at 99.5%.

The latest average level for dams in the province is 71.5%, which is 18.5% higher than the 2020 level of 53%.

“We are seeing an above average rainfall season. Some regions, the Gouritz River Catchment area in particular, remain in need of rain. We hope to see some relief there.

“Elsewhere in the province, especially the City of Cape Town area and the Cape Winelands and Overberg regions, the ground is saturated and the further rainfall will lead to more localised flooding this week.”

In Cape Town dam levels have increased to 93.2%. Exactly a year ago the level was 72%.

Mayco member for Water and Waste Xanthea Limberg said over the last week the dams had risen by 4% from 89.2% .

At the same time Limberg said daily water consumption had increased to 739 million litres per day, compared to 729 million litres last week.

Meanwhile, as the SA Weather Service (Saws) warned of adverse weather conditions until Friday, July 16, Eskom has asked the public to reduce the usage of electricity.

In a statement Eskom said: “We have not implemented load shedding since June 13 due to some improvement in the performance of the generation fleet and the system is currently performing relatively well.

“However, the cold front will increase the demand for electricity thereby putting pressure on the power system. Therefore, Eskom urges the people of South Africa to help reduce electricity usage in order to ease the pressure on the system,” said the statement.