Emergency Water Plan – As Cape Town’s dam levels plummet below the critical 35% mark, the city is once again staring down the barrel of a water disaster. Echoing the 2018 crisis, officials have sounded the alarm and activated emergency protocols to conserve dwindling reserves. ‘Day Zero’ — the day when municipal water supplies could be shut off — is back in public discourse, raising concerns across households, industries, and government agencies. The Western Cape’s current rainfall has been significantly lower than historical averages. Despite some seasonal showers, inflows into the major dam systems have remained sluggish, leading to intensified pressure on Cape Town’s water supply network. Authorities report that if usage patterns continue unchecked, the city could reach critical levels in less than 90 days. The City of Cape Town has started implementing contingency plans, from tighter water restrictions and public awareness campaigns to emergency borehole drilling and desalination projects. The Water and Sanitation Department is urging all residents to limit non-essential water usage and has released revised daily per capita consumption targets. This situation demands urgent public cooperation, bold policymaking, and transparent communication to avoid a total collapse of the water supply infrastructure. Here’s a complete breakdown of the current scenario, emergency actions, and what you need to know as a resident or stakeholder.
Cape Town Dam Levels Drop Below Crisis Point
Cape Town’s combined dam storage has slipped beneath the 35% threshold, triggering water emergency measures across the metro.
- Current overall dam storage: 34.7% as of latest report
- Theewaterskloof Dam – the largest in the system – sits at just 29.4%
- Berg River Dam remains stable at 53.1%
- Water consumption exceeds targeted daily limit of 850 million litres
- Agricultural releases contributing to rapid declines
- Inadequate winter rainfall in key catchment areas
- Escalating risks of supply disruption by October 2025
Major Dam Storage Levels – Western Cape (As of 30 July 2025)
| Dam Name | Capacity (Million m³) | Current Level (%) | Previous Week (%) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Theewaterskloof | 480 | 29.4 | 31.1 | Critically Low |
| Voëlvlei | 168 | 33.2 | 35.0 | Low |
| Berg River | 130 | 53.1 | 54.6 | Moderate |
| Steenbras Lower | 36 | 40.8 | 42.3 | Low |
| Steenbras Upper | 31 | 45.6 | 46.2 | Low |
| Wemmershoek | 58 | 41.7 | 44.5 | Low |
| Total Combined Level | 903 | 34.7 | 36.2 | Critical |
Emergency Water Plan Activated
In response to the falling water levels, the City of Cape Town has launched a multi-tiered Emergency Water Management Plan to delay Day Zero.
- Level 5 water restrictions reinstated with immediate effect
- New daily water usage target: 50 litres per person
- Desalination plant operations ramped up in Strandfontein and Monwabisi
- Groundwater extraction scaled from Table Mountain Aquifer
- Tanker-based supply plan being drafted for informal settlements
- Emergency supply networks being rechecked for redundancy
- Public spaces and parks to cease non-essential irrigation
Emergency Response Measures by Department of Water and Sanitation
| Initiative | Description | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| Level 5 Water Restrictions | Domestic, business, and industrial usage restricted | Enforced citywide |
| Desalination Expansion | Temporary plants at 3 coastal zones | 60% operational |
| Borehole Drilling | Accessing underground aquifers | Ongoing |
| Greywater Systems | Promotion and support of reuse systems | Active via subsidies |
| Enforcement Units | Monitoring illegal water usage | Patrols doubled |
| Public Education Campaign | Schools, radio, social media awareness | Active |
| Tanker Supply Networks | Backup in vulnerable regions | Design phase initiated |
How the City Plans to Delay Day Zero
Authorities are focusing on both supply augmentation and strict demand management to push Day Zero as far as possible.
- Rapid deployment of water-saving meters in urban households
- Smart sensors on public taps and city buildings
- Collaboration with farmers for off-grid irrigation
- Recommissioning old water treatment infrastructure
- Urgent leak detection and repair across 90 km of pipe networks
- Public incentive schemes for households using <40 litres/day
Community Engagement Steps Underway
The city understands that public trust and behavior are key to preventing disaster. Hence, civic engagement has become a core part of their strategy.
- Weekly public briefings by Water Crisis Task Force
- Real-time dashboard showing dam levels and consumption
- Distribution of water-saving kits in low-income areas
- Hotline for reporting water abuse or leaks: 0860 103 089
- Local ward meetings for preparedness drills
- NGO partnerships to manage supply in high-risk zones
Why Cape Town Is Facing This Again – Underlying Causes
This is not just a rainfall issue — deeper structural and climate factors have intensified the risk.
- Global warming has reduced average rainfall by 13% since 2001
- Urban sprawl without proportional infrastructure scaling
- Aging water pipelines leading to 15% loss before reaching end-users
- Rising water demand from growing population and tourism
- Lack of long-term investment in large-scale desalination or recycling
- Soil erosion and invasive alien plants reducing catchment efficiency
Climate and Population Impact Analysis
| Factor | Impact on Water Supply |
|---|---|
| Rising Temperatures | Increases evaporation from dams |
| Urban Development | Overloads existing reservoirs and pipelines |
| Population Growth | Puts pressure on per capita allocation |
| Agricultural Overdraw | Uses up to 60% of regional water |
| Alien Vegetation | Absorbs millions of litres from riverbanks |
| Poor Maintenance Funding | Delays critical pipeline repair or upgrades |
What Residents Should Do Immediately
Every citizen’s effort matters in preventing Day Zero. Here are key actions to take today.
- Limit showers to under 90 seconds
- Turn off taps while brushing or shaving
- Use buckets instead of hoses for cleaning
- Install low-flow taps and aerators
- Reuse greywater for toilet flushing
- Only do full loads in washing machines and dishwashers
- Collect rainwater in tanks or buckets for reuse
Water-Saving Tips for Households and Businesses
Small changes in routine can result in large-scale savings when multiplied citywide.
- Check for leaks weekly and fix promptly
- Water gardens only with recycled or borehole water
- Educate children and staff on water etiquette
- Share consumption reductions on social media to inspire others
- Support local water-saving community groups and workshops
How Cape Town Schools Are Helping Spread Awareness
Schools have become frontline partners in promoting water consciousness.
- Classroom posters and lesson plans on water scarcity
- Students tracking daily water use as school projects
- Parent letters encouraging home water-saving efforts
- Monthly inter-school competitions for best water usage practices
Role of Cape Town Businesses in Crisis Response
Businesses have been encouraged to shift operational protocols to comply with water-saving standards.
- Hospitality: Switching to reusable towels and linen change limits
- Construction: Using treated wastewater for onsite needs
- Retail: Encouraging staff to identify and report leaks
- Manufacturing: Auditing water-heavy processes for improvement
Departmental Contact Information
| Department | Contact Number | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| City of Cape Town – Water Inquiries | 0860 103 089 | water@capetown.gov.za | Leak reporting & consumption |
| Dept. of Water and Sanitation (WC) | 021 941 6000 | info@dws.gov.za | Emergency policy & plans |
| Disaster Risk Management Centre | 080 911 4357 | drmc@capetown.gov.za | Community safety & crisis alerts |
| Cape Town Environmental Health | 021 590 1410 | envirohealth@capetown.gov.za | Public hygiene during shortages |
| Ward Councillor’s Office (by area) | Visit city website | councillor@capetown.gov.za | Local meetings and feedback |
As Cape Town faces a chilling reminder of its 2018 water crisis, cooperation between the government and the public is the only way to delay or prevent Day Zero. Residents must shift from awareness to action now — before the taps really do run dry.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is Day Zero and when might it happen?
A1. Day Zero is when the city’s taps run dry. If current trends persist, it could arrive as early as October 2025.
Q2. Are the water restrictions legally enforceable?
A2. Yes, Level 5 restrictions are enforceable and violators may be fined or disconnected.
Q3. Can I still use a borehole or well?
A3. Yes, but users must register with the city and display a visible notice on their property.
Q4. Are desalination plants enough to prevent Day Zero?
A4. No. While helpful, they currently provide less than 10% of daily citywide demand.
Q5. Where can I track the dam levels and water usage?
A5. Visit the City of Cape Town’s official water dashboard at capetown.gov.za/water-dashboard