The Western Cape is facing renewed pressure on its water systems as high consumption levels and below-average rainfall raise the risk of water restrictions being reintroduced across parts of the province.
Aerial drone shot of the Garden Route Dam – George back in 2016/Oli4eben/Wikimedia Commons
Authorities have warned that continued excessive water use, combined with reduced inflows into major dams, could quickly worsen the situation if consumption is not curbed, as previously reported by IOL.
In Cape Town, the City has flagged growing concern over sustained water demand that remains well above recommended targets. Lower annual rainfall has resulted in reduced dam inflows, placing additional strain on the metro’s water supply at a time when margins are narrowing.
While officials insist there is no immediate threat of taps running dry, they caution that the outlook could change rapidly without urgent intervention.
“Lower annual rainfall has resulted in reduced inflows to dams, placing increased pressure on the City’s water supply system. While taps are not at risk of running dry at this stage, continued high water use could rapidly change the situation and result in restrictions unless consumption is brought down urgently,” the City said.
According to data from the City’s weekly water dashboard, average daily water use has consistently exceeded the target of under 975 million litres per day (MLD). On 10 and 15 December 2025, consumption stood at 1 029 MLD. This increased to 1 039 MLD on 22 December, dipped slightly to 1 010 MLD on 29 December, before rising again to 1 048 MLD on 5 January 2026.
Current dam storage levels across Cape Town are at 69.1 percent, a level that will need to sustain the city until the next winter rainfall season.
Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation Zahid Badroodien said the situation requires immediate behavioural change from residents, businesses and industry.
“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. We cannot afford to be complacent, and we must closely track consumption indicators weekly,” he said.
“Early proactive measures are far more effective than emergency restrictions. We need to be water-wise at all times.”
The pressure is not confined to Cape Town.
In George, the municipality has confirmed that its water supply is under growing threat following months of below-normal rainfall. Dam levels have dropped sharply compared to the same period last year.
The Garden Route Dam is currently at 44.5 percent, down from 92.74 percent a year ago, while the Haarlem Dam has fallen to approximately 34 percent from 98.7 percent in early 2025. The municipality has confirmed that both dams are considered at risk, with reduced inflows directly linked to prolonged dry conditions.
Stricter water restrictions and emergency tariffs have already been implemented in line with George’s Drought Management Policy.
“There is a threat to the Municipality’s raw water resources, as below normal rainfall has been experienced over the past months, and the forecast for the next few months is also for below normal rainfall,” said George Municipality Director of Civil Engineering Services Jannie Koegelenberg.
Koegelenberg said the town is not yet at “Day Zero” but warned that the outlook remains highly dependent on consumption patterns and rainfall.
“Predicting a level zero is not a simplistic calculation. With full public cooperation, consumption can be reduced considerably, which will directly impact water availability and duration,” he said. “Every drop really does count and without cooperation, a Day Zero may become a reality in the future.”
Further along the Garden Route, Knysna’s water situation has reached a critical point. The municipality has warned that, at current consumption levels, it has approximately two weeks of water remaining in the system.
Akkerkloof Dam, the primary water source for Greater Knysna, is currently at just 20 percent. A Joint Operations Committee comprising provincial and national authorities has been established to address what officials have described as a dire situation.
Although the Balancing Dam is currently at around 90 per cent, authorities have cautioned that it does not offset the rapid depletion of the Akkerkloof Dam. Level 4 water restrictions are being strictly enforced, alongside intensified monitoring of high-volume and non-compliant users.
Across the province, residents are being urged to adopt stricter water-saving habits, including fixing leaks, closely monitoring household usage, watering gardens only at night to reduce evaporation, and avoiding unnecessary topping up of swimming pools.
Looking ahead, Cape Town is continuing to advance plans to diversify its water supply. To reduce reliance on rain-fed dams, new sources such as desalination and water reuse are expected to come online from 2031.
By contrast, conditions in the Theewaterskloof Municipality, which supplies water to towns in the Overberg, remain manageable despite lower-than-average rainfall.
Municipal spokesperson Tarren-Lee Habelgaarn said there is currently no immediate threat to supply, although resources remain under pressure due to increased summer demand.
“Although rainfall has been lower than average and consumption has increased due to hot weather, all towns within the Theewaterskloof municipal area continue to have water and can supply residents,” she said. “Our teams are monitoring water resources closely and will make operational adjustments as required.”
A Level 1 water restriction was introduced in December as a precautionary measure to encourage mindful consumption.
As dry conditions persist, authorities across the Western Cape have warned that without sustained reductions in water use, the province risks sliding deeper into another water crisis.
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