The latest reading from the dams in the Western Cape were released on Wednesday by the City of Cape Town, and thanks to more rainfall since Monday, dams are now 40.3% full.

Readings taken on Monday showed a 7% increase since the week before. A notable change from last year when dams levels were a mere 23%.

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June’s rainfall has been favourable for the drought stricken city, following a three year dry spell. Level 6B water restrictions have been in place since February to curb water wastage in the Mother City.

The Berg River area has recorded more than 173mm of rainfall in the last week and is almost double the percentage for the same time a year ago.

Western Cape Government today announced that it will be implementing a water delivery charge of R115 or less per month to 95% of households to make up for the water deficit caused by the drought period. This new fixed delivery charge will enable the City to continue to operate its water supply network.

The City has urged residents to continue in their water-saving efforts despite the last few weeks of good rainfall.

“The good rainfall we have received over the past four weeks has increased our dams storage to the same levels they were at towards the end of winter of 2017,” the City said. “While this is good news, it is too soon to know what supply level is needed in order to safely navigate the summer of 2019. It is therefore critical that we continue to keep our consumption low.”

Picture: Benji Kahn

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Nidha Narrandes is a food-obsessed travel addict with 21 years of journalism experience. Her motto - Travel. Eat. Repeat. She is happiest on a road to nowhere without a plan. A masterchef at home, she can't do without chilli - because chilli makes the world a tastier place.