A week of relentless rainfall has dramatically shifted the Western Cape’s water outlook, pushing major reservoirs toward capacity and alleviating long-standing scarcity fears in the Southern Cape. However, the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has paired this breakthrough with a stern “life and limb” warning as flash floods continue to ravage the interior.
According to the latest weekly audit released by the DWS, provincial dam levels jumped by a significant 7.54% in just seven days, climbing from 44.94% to 52.46%. The most staggering recovery was observed in the Breede-Gouritz Water Catchment Area.
In the arid Central Karoo and Garden Route districts, several dams have not only reached capacity but are actively spilling over. The list of reservoirs now at or above 100% capacity includes Leeu-Gamka, Oukloof, Gamkadam, Gamkapoort, Kammanassie, Duiwenhoks, Mierjieskraal, Ernest Robertson, and Stomdrift. Authorities have confirmed that these dams will continue to spill until water levels stabilise exactly at the 100% mark.
The Cape Town Water Supply System, the lifeline for the province’s metropole, also saw a healthy uptick. The system rose from 47.78% to 50.48%. Crucially, the Theewaterskloof Dam—the largest and most vital component of the city’s supply—recorded a rise of over two per cent, moving from 47.31% to 49.47%. While this provides a much-needed buffer for the summer months, officials remain cautious.
Ms Ntombizanele Bila-Mupariwa, Head of DWS in the Western Cape, noted that while the “adverse weather” has been a boon for agricultural and domestic reserves, it has been devastating for local infrastructure. “We call upon the citizens who live in or use areas closer to our water sources to always adhere to warnings by the authorities,” Ms Bila-Mupariwa urged. “We have received reports of people who got into trouble when trying to cross water sources, and we are concerned.”
The Department has moved to a 24-hour monitoring cycle for river and dam levels during these severe weather warnings. Despite the abundance of raw water, the DWS warned that “water on the ground” does not always equate to “water in the tap.” In several towns, municipal infrastructure constraints continue to curtail supply. The message from the authorities remains clear: while the drought-stricken landscape is currently being transformed. Residents are urged to continue using water sparingly to ensure long-term regional security.
Weekend Argus Reporter
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