Water restrictions are being assessed as Western Cape dam levels decline, and Agri Western Cape says restrictions could cost the economy more than R1 billion. No restrictions have been announced.

Combined storage in the Western Cape Water Supply System was about 74.81% on 5 October, below the same point last year and trending down. The national Department of Water and Sanitation, led by Minister Pemmy Majodina, is running modelling and technical analyses, and the City of Cape Town's Water Restrictions Committee is also considering restrictions.

Where the dams stand

In September, Cape Town's Water Restrictions Committee was weighing restrictions with dams at 75.5%. By 5 October the combined figure was about 74.81%.

Majodina said "current storage levels are lower than those recorded during the corresponding period in the previous year", and that "the potential impact of El Niño-related climatic conditions introduces uncertainty regarding future water availability".

The department is assessing a range of restriction scenarios and other demand-management measures for the 2026/27 operating year. A determination will follow the presentation of its annual operating analysis and modelling to the Western Cape Water Supply System Stakeholder Operating Forum. No date for a decision has been given.

What farmers and the City say

Agri Western Cape CEO Jannie Strydom said lower water allocations would reduce agricultural output across the province. Crops at risk include potatoes, table and wine grapes, stone fruit and other deciduous fruit, and berries, and to a lesser extent citrus. The sector supports avoiding a repeat of the Day Zero drought, he said, and wants a well-considered process: "We welcome a process that's well thought through."

The City of Cape Town has sent notices to ratepayers who exceeded 15,000 litres a month for two consecutive months. One text message read: "Reduce use below this limit next month or supply will be restricted."

What we do not yet know

  • How Agri Western Cape reached its figure of more than R1 billion. No method or timeframe has been published in the reports we have seen.
  • Which restriction levels are being considered, and when they could start.
  • Current dam levels. The 74.81% figure is from 5 October.
  • When the department and the City will decide.