The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is encouraged by the significant improvements in dam storages in the Western Cape. This follows persistent rainfall last week.

According to the hydrological report of today 05 June, the Western Cape Water Supply System (WCWSS), which supplies water to Cape Town and its environs, sits at 69,52%, a notable increase over last week's 63,44%.

A significant increase can be seen on the Berg River Catchment sitting at whopping 76,97% compared to 69,74%. The Western Cape dams combined average is 59,93% compared to 56,95% last week.

On individual dams, The Theewaterskloof Dam, the largest dam in the province accounting for significant water supply (45% of the Western Cape Water Supply System Dams) is currently 63,80%, edging closer to 66,79% recorded last year.  

 The Wemmershoek, Misverstand, Eikenhof, Bulshoek, Steyttyenskloof, Steenbras lower and Roodefontein, Gamka Poort are some of the dams that has saw an increase of over 5% this week. None of the Western Cape dams declined by 5%.

Despite some dam levels surpassing last year’s levels, Wisane Mavasa the National DWS spokesperson says this should not be a reason for being complacent. In addition, Mavasa further says that will take significant rains to fill some dams. It is now the start of the Western Cape’s Winter rainfall season so the Department is hopefully that cut-off lows and predicted precipitation will increase the dam levels.

"We can only presume that the downpours also recharged dam levels, as groundwater's impact can be seen everywhere despite its invisibility," Mavasa said. Drinking water and sanitation, as well as food supplies in some areas, are all dependent on groundwater. 

DWS calls upon all citizens to actively avoid using products that poison or degrade the quality of the soil and the water beneath it and use groundwater as efficiently as possible.

Issued by the Department of Water & Sanitation