Cape Town's major dams now hold just 57% of their capacity, signaling ongoing concerns for water security in the region. This drop comes as weekly levels continue to decline, with experts linking it to below-average rainfall. The situation affects households, businesses, and farming across the Western Cape, prompting calls for mindful usage to stretch reserves.

Current Cape Town Dam Levels

Officials report that Cape Town dam levels stand at 57.2% as of 16 February 2026. The six main dams collectively store 513,711 megalitres out of a total capacity of 898,221 megalitres. This marks a 1.1% weekly decrease from 58.3%.

Theewaterskloof Dam, the largest, sits at 53.8% full. Voëlvlei Dam follows at 64.6%, while Berg River Dam holds 54.5%. Smaller dams like Wemmershoek show 67.1%, Steenbras Upper remains steady at 69.1%, and Steenbras Lower is at 51.7%.

These figures come from the City of Cape Town's weekly dashboard, which monitors the Western Cape Water Supply System. The system supplies water to Cape Town and surrounding areas, including Overberg and West Coast regions.

Year-on-Year Declines and Implications

Cape Town dam levels are about 19% lower than the same period in 2025, when they reached 76.2%. For instance, Theewaterskloof was at 76.5% last year, but now lags by over 22 percentage points. Similarly, Steenbras Upper has fallen from 93.8% to 69.1%.

Below-average rainfall has contributed to this trend, according to city officials. Water usage recently hit 1,031 million litres per day, exceeding the 975 MLD target. This overuse strains reserves as summer demand rises.

Projections indicate potential further drops without sufficient rain, heightening drought risks. The city emphasizes that early drought caution is in effect, urging residents to adopt water-wise habits to avoid stricter measures.

Official Responses and Conservation Efforts

The City of Cape Town calls on everyone to conserve water, noting that every drop counts in safeguarding supplies. Average daily use per person stands at 176 litres, and officials aim to reduce this through awareness campaigns. "Continued water wise use encouraged due to lower than anticipated dam levels," states the city's dashboard.

The National Department of Water and Sanitation collaborates on monitoring, but no new restrictions have been announced yet. Residents can check updates on the city's website for real-time data and tips.