Dams dwindle and demand climbs: Municipalities struggle to stem South Africa’s water deficit

Several regions across South Africa are grappling with a worsening water crisis as dam levels drop and consumption exceeds sustainable limits.

In Knysna, the situation has reached a critical point. Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina is currently on-site, collaborating with the Joint Operations Committee (JOC) to implement emergency measures. The local supply has plummeted to just 15%, necessitating immediate intervention to stabilise the system.

In Cape Town, dam levels are currently hovering at 66%. City officials are urging residents to take proactive steps, such as repairing household leaks and covering swimming pools, to mitigate evaporation and waste.

Zahid Badroodien, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, has renewed calls for conservative water usage to protect remaining reserves.

"Help us save as much water in households across the city because we know that 70% of water being used in our city takes place in our households. Every little bit helps to secure our surface water in our dams as we make our way through the summer into the next winter period."

The Nelson Mandela Bay Metro is facing its own set of pressures, with usable water levels sitting at 39.75%. In response, the local Business Chamber is reviving its "Adopt A School and Adopt A Leak" program. This initiative targets schools and high-usage areas to repair infrastructure and curb wastage.

According to CEO Denise van Huysteen, previous iterations of the program saved over 1.6 million litres per day and reduced consumption by nearly 25% in targeted communities. However, she warned that current consumer behaviour is threatening the metro's water security.

"A key contributing factor is the increased water usage levels of consumers, which is trending in the wrong direction," van Huysteen stated. "Consumption is currently tracking at 384 megaliters a day versus the target of 280 megaliters a day. That's over 100 megaliters a day over target and is clearly unsustainable."