Cape Town is heading into summer with its dams holding less water than at the same time last year, prompting renewed calls for residents to reduce consumption as provincial authorities urge municipalities to introduce precautionary restrictions.
The warning comes as the Western Cape prepares for hotter, drier conditions associated with an El Niño cycle, with water reserves under pressure ahead of the period when household and agricultural demand typically increases.
However, the City of Cape Town has stressed that its current water resource status is Early Drought Caution, rather than an immediate supply emergency. No formal water restrictions are currently in place in the metro, although the possibility of introducing them has increased.
The issue has also drawn attention from the Democratic Alliance (DA), which has called for early intervention rather than waiting for dam levels to fall further.
In a statement issued on 13 November, DA Western Cape spokesperson on Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Dave Bryant, said provincial dam storage stood at 77.7% on 9 November.
The figures highlighted differences between individual water systems, with some dams showing considerably lower levels than others.
Klipheuwel Dam was recorded at 7.6% capacity, down from 11.5% at the same time last year. Steenbras Lower stood at 44.8%, while Theewaterskloof and Greater Brandvlei were at 70.9% and 68.5% respectively.
The DA says these figures point to the need for municipalities to act before the peak summer demand period, rather than waiting until reserves reach more critical levels.
Bryant welcomed a precautionary advisory issued by Western Cape Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Anton Bredell, which recommends that municipalities introduce Level 1 water restrictions by 15 November. Higher-risk water supply systems have been advised to move to Level 2 restrictions by 1 December.
‘Climate change means we can no longer treat dry winters or El Niño cycles as surprises. Waiting for dam levels to crash before taking action is a recipe for failure. By introducing precautionary Level 1 restrictions now, the Western Cape Government is demonstrating responsible, science-led stewardship that acts before a crisis takes hold,’ Bryant said.
He also pointed to catchment clearing, water reuse and leak management as part of longer-term efforts to improve the province’s water resilience.
The City’s latest published dam readings provide a closer picture of the water position in the metro’s supply system.
On 12 November, the combined storage of the six major dams supplying Cape Town stood at 71.3%, according to the City’s daily figures. The weekly reading for 9 November was 71.7%, compared with 85.4% during the corresponding week in 2025.
The figures underline the difference between the provincial storage position and the levels in the system supplying Cape Town. The Western Cape’s provincial total should not be confused with the metro’s combined dam storage.
A recent report on declining dam levels and the call for water conservation also highlighted the City’s concerns as summer approaches, including the need to reduce unnecessary household consumption.
The City has previously warned that rainfall has been lower than expected and that dam levels are approximately 10% below last year’s position.
Its 2026 Water Outlook does not identify an immediate threat to supply, but officials are monitoring rainfall, consumption and storage levels as the risk of restrictions increases.
Despite the provincial advisory, the City’s current water restrictions guidance states that no formal restrictions are in force in Cape Town.
Residents and businesses are nevertheless urged to use water responsibly, with the municipality setting a collective consumption target of less than 860 million litres per day.
Permanent water regulations under the City’s Water By-law continue to apply, regardless of whether additional restrictions are introduced.
These include:
- Watering gardens only before 09:00 or after 18:00.
- Fitting hosepipes used for watering or washing vehicles with a controlling device, such as a trigger nozzle.
- Using borehole and wellpoint water sparingly and efficiently.
- Registering boreholes and wellpoints with the City and displaying the required signage.
- Covering swimming pools when they are not in use to limit evaporation.
- Avoiding the use of municipal drinking water to hose down paved or hard-surfaced areas.
The City also encourages residents to report burst pipes, faulty meters and other water-related issues through its service channels.
The timing of the advisory is significant as Cape Town moves into the summer months, when higher temperatures and increased outdoor water use can place additional pressure on available supplies.
The City has previously explained that its dams must sustain the metro through the summer drawdown period and into the next winter rainfall season.
The wider Western Cape Water Supply System also serves neighbouring municipalities and the agricultural sector, making water management a regional concern.
Bryant urged households and businesses to support the proposed precautionary measures, saying: ‘Provincial and local government are building long-term resilience through catchment clearing, water reuse, and aggressive leak management, but securing our water supply requires a collective effort. We urge all residents and businesses to support these precautionary measures by using water wisely — saving water today safeguards our communities throughout the summer.’
The City is continuing to monitor the system, while the provincial advisory places the responsibility on municipalities to consider early measures before demand rises further.
Residents should follow official City notices for any changes to Cape Town’s restriction status, rather than assuming that the provincial deadlines automatically introduce new rules in the metro.
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Also read:
Cape Town water disruptions: Affected areas from 14–20 November
Picture: Diva Plavalaguna/Pexels
