Residents of Cape Town are being warned that water restrictions could arrive earlier than expected as a heatwave pushes temperatures to extreme levels across the Western Cape.
The City of Cape Town said dam levels have fallen sharply compared with the same period last year, largely due to increased water consumption during the intense heat.
Officials noted that the city’s dams are currently about 17.5% lower than they were at this time last year, which has raised concerns about supply.
Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation Zahid Badroodien said the situation could deteriorate quickly if residents continue using more water than the allocation set by the Department of Water and Sanitation.
“With the heat wave expected this week in our city, I’m anticipating that our water usage will once again increase to well beyond the allocation given to us by the national Department of Water and Sanitation,” he said.
Badroodien noted that the city’s dams are already approaching the 50% mark as a result of sustained week-on-week usage.
While water restrictions are not currently in place, he warned that residents need to act now to help preserve available supplies.
“My request and appeal to residents remains for us to please use water sparingly and responsibly so that we are able to safeguard as much of our surface water as possible as we wait for our winter rains with anticipation,” he said.
City officials said higher water demand during hotter weather is typical, but the current heatwave is pushing consumption even higher than usual.
Residents are being urged to reduce non-essential water use, particularly during peak heat periods.
Earlier this year, the city cautioned that water restrictions could be introduced as early as 1 November if current consumption patterns continue.
City officials also confirmed that an Early Drought Caution alert level has been in place since October last year, which shows that the water system is under strain.
Extreme temperatures and consumption to blame
Although Cape Town is not officially in a drought, Badroodien said the window to avoid restrictions later in the year is closing.
If rainfall this year is average and water usage remains high, dam levels could fall to around 40% by May.
“Cape Town is in an early warning phase, reflecting lower-than-expected dam levels and signalling the need for continued careful water use, even though taps are running normally,” he said.
“While there is no immediate threat to supply, the system is entering a more sensitive period ahead of winter rainfall.”
This warning from the city comes as temperatures across the Western Cape have reached extreme levels over the week.
According to the South African Weather Service (SAWS), several weather stations across the Western Cape and the Namakwa District have recorded their highest March temperatures in more than a decade.
Among the most extreme readings was 44.8°C recorded at Alexander Bay, breaking the previous March record of 43.4°C set nine years ago.
Other high temperatures included 43.5°C in Garies, 42.7°C in Worcester, 42.1°C at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, and 41.3°C in Ceres.
Coastal areas also saw unusual heat, with Cape Point recording 40°C, surpassing its previous March record of 39.3°C.
Within the Cape Town metro, temperatures have also remained unusually high overnight. The city recorded a new March minimum temperature record of 29.2°C, well above the previous record of 26.8°C set 17 years ago.
