Residents and businesses are reminded to use water wisely at all times this summer. The City of Cape Town has renewed its call for water-wise behaviour after average daily water consumption exceeded the city’s summer usage target. The City has set a collective daily usage target of less than 975 million litres per day (MLD) for the summer season to reduce the risk posed by below-average or unpredictable rainfall in 2026 and to maintain a reliable water supply.
As of Wednesday, December 31, 2025, average water usage stood at 1 025MLD, while the City’s dam levels were recorded at 70.5%. Climate change continues to alter rainfall patterns in the Western Cape, with scientists warning of longer dry spells, more intense but less frequent rainfall, and higher evaporation rates during hotter summers. These shifts make dam replenishment increasingly unpredictable and raise the risk of extended water stress.
“Currently the City’s main supply dams are 19.2% lower than last year at this time, and as a city we have collectively and consistently been using over 1 000 million litres of water daily,” said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien. “While there is no immediate reason for concern, all Capetonians, visitors and businesses are encouraged to carefully manage their water use over the coming months.”
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