Cape Town dam levels remain under pressure as the Western Cape heads towards summer, with storage sitting below last year’s levels and officials warning that water resources could face greater strain, Cape {town} Etc reports.
Picture: Jaco Marais / Gallo Images
The latest City of Cape Town dam figures put the city’s combined dam storage at 75.9% on 4 September. The weekly reading for 31 August was 76.3%, compared with 92.5% during the same period in 2025.
The Western Cape’s overall dam storage also slipped slightly to 79.73% in the week reported on 2 September, down from 79.78%. The Cape Town Water Supply System fell from 76.3% to 75.8%, according to Eyewitness News.
| Major dam | Capacity when full (Ml) | Storage on 4 September 2026 (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Berg River | 130 010 | 91.3% |
| Steenbras Lower | 33 517 | 49.5% |
| Steenbras Upper | 31 767 | 85.1% |
| Theewaterskloof | 480 188 | 76.5% |
| Voëlvlei | 164 095 | 59.7% |
| Wemmershoek | 58 644 | 91.8% |
| Total stored | 898 221 | 681 610 Ml |
| Overall storage | 75.9% |
Theewaterskloof Dam, the largest dam in the Cape Town system, stood at 76.03% in the latest provincial figures. The Western Cape Government said dam levels are currently 5% lower than this time last year. It has also warned of increased pressure on water resources as the province prepares for summer.
Premier Alan Winde said residents need to remain mindful of their water use. ‘We must all be aware of our water usage,’ he said.
The province is also preparing for an El Niño-influenced summer, alongside higher temperatures, increased fire risks and potential water stress.
Article shared by Cape Etc.
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