Water levels in the Western Cape are taking strain in the face of warm summer temperatures, low rainfall and drying winds. According to the latest report from the Department of Water Affairs, quantities in the province are significantly down on where they were one-year prior, in 2024.
As such, if nothing changes, potential water restrictions could be looming in the New Year. Currently, water levels in the Western Cape are sitting at 79%. While, at the same time last year, they were at 96% after a bumper rainy season. A 17-percentage-point difference so early in summer could prove crucial …
WATER LEVELS IN THE WESTERN CAPE
As Cape Town’s tourist season ramps up, water levels in the Western Cape will only continue to come under pressure. During the drought of 2017, dam levels reached as low as 24%, which was termed critically low at the time. In the past week alone, the Department of Water Affairs confirms water levels have dropped 2-percentage points.
Furthermore, Western Cape’s provincial dam system is faring even worse. It is currently sitting at 71% capacity, compared to 91.7% at the same point in 2024. More than 20-percentage points less. The department says recent rainfall has been insufficient to offset consumption and evaporation rates from increased temperatures and high winds.
KEY SUPPLY SYSTEMS DROPPING
Here is the state of water levels in the Western Cape in December 2025, drawn from five major dams:
- Steenbras Upper Dam: 96.4% (down from 98.1%)
- Voelvlei Dam: 88.1% (down from 100%)
- Berg River Dam: 84.5% (down from 96.8%)
- Steenbras Lower Dam: 76.3% (downfrom 90.4%)
- Theewaterskloof Dam: 74.2% (down from 95.7%)
CLOSELY MONITOR WATER LEVELS IN THE WESTERN CAPE
With little to no rain forecast for the foreseeable future, authorities say they will closely monitor consumption patterns in the coming month. And potential ‘conservation measures’ will be considered should the current decline continue. Nevertheless, Western Cape residents are encouraged to ‘practice water-wise behaviour’ to help mitigate against future restrictions.
But what do you think? Are we heading for another drought after these last hot and windy months? What else can be done to keep water levels in the Western Cape up? Be sure to let us know in the comments section below …
