Cape Town authorities have issued an urgent appeal for residents, businesses and visitors to cut back on water use after dam levels dropped significantly following a surge in consumption during recent hot weather. The City of Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Directorate warned on Wednesday that dam storage is now 19% lower than at the same time last year, raising concerns about water security if high usage continues through summer. According to the City, lower annual rainfall has reduced inflows into dams, placing additional strain on the water supply system.
While officials stressed that taps are not in immediate danger of running dry, they cautioned that sustained high consumption could quickly change the situation and force the introduction of restrictions. Data from the City’s weekly water dashboard shows that average daily water use has consistently exceeded the target of less than 975 million litres per day (MLD). Consumption peaked at 1 048 MLD on January 5, 2026, well above recommended levels.
Current dam storage stands at 69.1%, which must last until the next seasonal rainfall cycle. “This is a critical moment for us, where we must reduce the unnecessary litres of water used in our homes, in industrial and agricultural processes and at work,” said Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien. “We can’t afford to be complacent any longer and we must closely keep track of consumption indicators on a weekly basis.” Hot weather conditions have led to declining dam levels.
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