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Dam levels in the Western Cape are currently at an average combined level of 45%. Last year at this time the average level was 22.6%. Anton Bredell, the minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning in the Western Cape, says while recent rainfall in the Karoo region has brought slight relief to some parts, the rain has not been sufficient to break the ongoing drought.

“In December Beaufort-West usually gets around 28mm of rainfall and in January months it is around 20mm every year. This past December the town got 0 mm in December and 2 mm in January. The province remains in the area on a fulltime basis assisting with drought alleviation projects.”

Bredell has urged consumers to continue to use water responsibly, even in areas where there may be no water challenges.

“Overall the Karoo region remains extremely dry but other areas are also seeing dam levels running lower at the beginning of Autumn. We are headed to the winter and we are hopeful on another season of good rainfall in the coming months.”

Bredell has urged farmers and farmworkers in drought afflicted areas to contact the provincial government or any other stakeholders for assistance during this time.
“The ongoing burden of drought is a terrible one to bear alone and the province has a number of measures in place that may be of help.”

Dam Levels

The average dam level in the Western Cape is currently 45.07% (2018: 22.6%). Dams that supply the City of Cape Town with water have an average level of 56.8% (2018: 24.5%). The Theewaterskloof dam is currently at 44.1% (2018: 11.7%); Voëlvlei Dam is at 71.5% (2018: 17.3%), Berg River dam is at 78.8% (2018: 52.3%) and Clanwilliam Dam is 46.3% (2018: 13.1%).

How to Beat Load shedding

The Provincial Department of Local Government has also noted the renewed load shedding that started on the past weekend.
“For those households and businesses in the Western Cape who are looking to find ways of becoming more self-reliant where it comes to electricity, the province has been driving research through its Energy Security Game Changer that may be of help in this regard. Please see attached a document with more information for your convenience. Further information is also available on the website: www.Switchandsave.co.za .”

Western Cape Tipsheet on how to beat load shedding Attached

Issued by The Western Cape Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning