The City of Cape Town is urging caution and renewed water-saving efforts as local dam levels are about 15% lower than at the same time last year.

The main dams supplying water to Cape Town are currently about 79% full, compared to around 96% last summer. Although some parts of the metro experienced good rainfall this year, 2025 has been a below-average rainfall year in our major supply catchments like Wemmershoek.

The MMC for Water and Sanitation, Zahid Badroodien, says that with a hot, dry summer ahead and unpredictable rainfall for 2026, it is vital that everyone works towards using less water than the collective target of 975 million litres per day.

In October, the City’s weekly water dashboard shifted to an ‘early drought caution’.

Badroodien says this does not mean a drought is confirmed, but it indicates signals of a possible drought cycle emerging. This allows the City to prepare early by activating internal response committees, prioritising repairs and maintenance and working closely with the National Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) to ensure that the water system remains well balanced.

To proactively manage our use, the City is encouraging residents and businesses to all help keep our collective water use below 975 million litres per day (MLD).

“It is the responsible step to take now, by making an early call for Cape Town to work towards using less than the target amount of 975 MLD collectively, over the next few months, to reduce the risk of restrictions into 2027. As we head into hot summer days, we have already seen a spike in water use at certain points. Consumption recently reached 1 000 million litres of water used in a day, compared to the average 850 million litres a day.”

The main driver of peak water demand, based on previous years, is outdoor use, particularly for garden irrigation and topping up swimming pools.

“Let’s get back into the vibe of being water-wise, not only this festive season and during summer, but all year round. Wise outdoor water use, fixing leaks and complying with permanent regulations are key ways to save.”

Meanwhile, outside the Metro, the Western Cape Department of Water and Sanitation has expressed concern over water supply in areas along the Garden Route, including George and Knysna, with the towns also expected to receive an influx of visitors this festive season. The Greater Knysna area has been declared a water-stressed area.

Beaufort West is another area of concern, with the Gamka Dam sitting at only 25% full.

Provincial Head Ntombizanele Bila-Mupariwa has urged all residents to use water responsibly. She says a decision on possible water restrictions will be communicated next week.