The City of Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Directorate (DWS) advised residents to practice caution when using water as current rainfall was noticeably lower than the previous year.
With the below-average rainfall still a concern in the Western Cape, the DWS indicated that the average combined dam levels of the province’s Water Supply System have experienced a significant dip from 98.11% in 2021 to 76.2% in 2022, reports IOL.
The last four months have seen the Western Cape receive below-average rainfall which has impacted dam storage levels. The West Coast District Municipality appears to be experiencing the sharpest drop with Clanwilliam Dam’s levels currently at 58.08%.
“The Clanwilliam Dam’s current level is 58.08%, a significant decline from 99.63% last year. At present, Theewaterskloof, the largest dam in the Western Cape, is at 76.76%, compared to 101% last year this time,” said DWS Western Cape provincial head Ntombizanele Bila-Mupariwa.
However, despite lower dam levels and certain water restrictions in place, the City has advised residents to avoid panicking.
“Typically the dam levels would be higher by this time of year, but we are only halfway through our rainfall season.
“However, based on our own statistical modelling as at the end of July 2022, we expect the dam levels to end the rainfall season at around 90%, dependent on the rainfall over the next three months,” stated Water and Sanitation Mayco member Zahid Badroodien.
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