Early drought caution issued for Cape Town as dam levels drop to 79.4%

With dam levels 15% lower than last summer, the City of Cape Town has urged residents to adopt water-saving measures to prevent potential restrictions. The City of Cape Town has warned the public to be more water-wise, with dam levels 15 percent lower than at the same time last summer in ‘early drought caution’. The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate reported that the main dams supplying Cape Town are about 79.4 percent.

They have called for residents and businesses to keep water use under 975 million litres per day (MLD). The City added: “This is particularly important for Cape Town this summer, in the face of unpredictable rainfall in 2026.” In October, the City’s weekly water dashboard shifted to an ‘early drought caution’. This does not mean a drought is confirmed, but it indicates signals of a possible drought cycle emerging. It 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.