Cape Town - The average water level for dams across the Western Cape keeps increasing slightly and is currently at 25.1%.
On 29 May the average levels were reported as being 17.6% across the Western Cape, while in 2016 at the corresponding period, the average level was 46%.
Anton Bredell, the minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning in the Western Cape says the drought remains across the entire province despite recent rainfall.
“The latest data does not reflect the weekend’s rainfall and it was pleasing to note reported rainfall measurements of up to 50mm in some areas in the Western Cape. This, in addition to good snowfall, should have a good impact on dam levels, however we are still a long way from where we need to be.”
Bredell says the hope is still to see dam levels recover to levels of 75% on average by October.
“We are still in our rainfall period and forecasts of rain remain in place. The question remains, how much more rain will we get and will it fall in the catchment areas?”
Bredell has continued to caution the public to use water sparingly, even when it does rain.
“We must ensure that dam levels recover, so when it starts to rain, consumers should not revert back to using water wastefully.”
The provincial government continues to explore all options to supplement water supply going forward and is engaging all relevant stakeholders in this regard, including the National Department of Water and Sanitation where the constitutional responsibility for water resides.