Western Cape dam levels increase by 3% in past week

Recent rains in the Western Cape saw dam levels in the province increasing significantly by almost 3% in the past week.

PICTURE: Pixabay

According to the latest figures provided by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), dam levels supplying the City of Cape Town stands at 69,52%, a notable increase over last week's 63,44%. A significant increase can be seen on the Berg River Catchment sitting at whopping 76,97% compared to 69,74%.

PICTURE: City of Cape Town

The Western Cape dams combined average is 59.93% compared to last week’s 56,95%

The Theewaterskloof Dam, which is the largest dam in the province is currently at 63,80%, edging closer to 66,79% recorded last year.  The Wemmershoek, Misverstand, Eikenhof, Bulshoek, Steyttyenskloof, Steenbras lower and Roodefontein, Gamka Poort are some of the dams that has saw an increase of over 5% this week.

According to the DWS, none of the Western Cape dams declined by 5% in the past week

The department said it is encouraged by the significant improvements in dam storages in the Western Cape, however urged residents to still use water sparingly.

‘’Despite some dam levels surpassing last year’s levels this should not be a reason for being complacent. It will take significant rains to fill some dams. It is now the start of the Western Cape’s Winter rainfall season so the Department is hopefully that cut-off lows and predicted precipitation will increase the dam levels,’’ said Wisane Mavasa the National DWS spokesperson.

"We can only presume that the downpours also recharged dam levels, as groundwater's impact can be seen everywhere despite its invisibility," Mavasa said. Drinking water and sanitation, as well as food supplies in some areas, are all dependent on groundwater,’’ he added.

Mavasa urged citizens to actively avoid using products that poison or degrade the quality of the soil and the water beneath it and use groundwater as efficiently as possible.

 

Done By: Mitchum George