Cape Town assesses water restrictions as Western Cape dam levels fall

Cape Town water restrictions are being considered as dam levels decline, while high-consuming households are warned to cut their water use or risk supply restrictions.

Cape Town could face water restrictions as dam levels decline and authorities assess the risk of a hotter, drier summer, while the City has begun warning high-consuming households to reduce their monthly water use or face supply restrictions.

Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina told Parliament that modelling was under way to determine whether restrictions or other demand management measures would be needed to protect water supplies across the Western Cape Water Supply System (WCWSS).

Combined dam storage stood at about 74.81% on 5 October 2026, according to the minister. Although the system remained relatively stable, storage levels were lower than during the same period last year, with an overall downward trend observed.

Majodina said the potential impact of El Niño-related climatic conditions had added uncertainty to future water availability and system performance.

Responding to parliamentary questions from Rise Mzansi MP Songezo Zibi, Majodina said her department had reviewed system operations, hydrological conditions and available water resources to assess whether measures to manage demand would be necessary.

Additional modelling and technical analyses had examined possible water restriction scenarios and other interventions for the 2026/27 operating year.

“These assessments are aimed at identifying the most appropriate measures required to maintain system reliability and mitigate longer-term water security risks,” she said.

A decision on whether to introduce restrictions was due to follow the presentation of the annual operating analysis and associated modelling to stakeholders at the Western Cape Water Supply System Stakeholder Operating Forum last week.

The supplied information does not confirm whether restrictions have since been approved.

The minister’s comments come as the City of Cape Town sends notices to ratepayers whose water consumption exceeded 15,000 litres a month for two consecutive months.

One ratepayer received a text message warning them to reduce consumption below that threshold the following month or face supply restrictions.

It was reported last month that the City’s Water Restrictions Committee was considering restrictions ahead of an expected hotter, drier summer.

Majodina said her department was working with the Western Cape Department of Local Government to help water services authorities prepare contingency plans for potential disruptions.

Municipalities had been encouraged to investigate alternative water sources to reduce dependence on existing supply systems and improve resilience.

Support was also being provided for backup power supplies and dedicated operations and maintenance teams to help sustain services during periods of increased risk.

The department has received requests for assistance to manage declining water availability and is supporting Bitou and Knysna municipalities with projects to augment bulk water supplies.

Funding is being provided for needs analyses, scoping assessments, feasibility studies and implementation-readiness studies for the respective water schemes. These studies are expected to be completed during the 2028/29 financial year.

Majodina said no additional applications for water augmentation support had been received during the 2026/27 financial year, although several water security projects were under way in municipalities.

These projects are funded through the Water Services Infrastructure Grant and the Budget Facility for Infrastructure programme.

The department also monitors municipal non-revenue water and water losses through quarterly water balance submissions.

Majodina said a benchmark threshold of 30% non-revenue water had been established, with municipalities exceeding it identified for targeted support and intervention.

An annual analysis of water balance data is also conducted to identify persistent water losses and determine appropriate remedial measures.