Cape Town creeps closer to formal water restrictions with summer campaign

Cape Town is heading into the warmer months with lower winter rainfall than expected, prompting the City to ramp up its water-saving efforts.

The campaign could help stave off the need for official water restrictions this summer.

Cape Town’s combined dam levels currently stand at 71.7%, averaging 15% lower than at the same time last year.

Water consumption has also climbed to worrying levels. The City recently recorded daily usage of 912 million litres, more than 52 million litres above its 860-million-litre/ day target.

While no formal water restrictions have been announced, the possibility remains on the table.

The City of Cape Town has instead launched its More Summer campaign, encouraging residents, businesses and visitors to use less water during the warmer months.

Water restrictions still on the cards for Cape Town

The National Department of Water and Sanitation’s annual operating assessment will determine whether water restrictions are imposed.

These restrictions would apply to all users of the Western Cape Water Supply System, including the City of Cape Town.

The City estimates that household consumption needs to drop by at least 10% throughout summer and into winter next year.

It warns that this summer is expected to be “longer, drier and hotter than usual.”

The situation is particularly concerning given what happened last year. Dam levels dropped by approximately 40% over summer.

The City says proactive water savings are essential to keep supplies sustainable until at least next winter, while rainfall remains unpredictable.

City’s More Summer campaign comes with water-saving ‘rules’

The campaign aims to show residents that “using less water doesn’t mean less fun.”

However, its advice includes several reminders about existing water regulations.

Around 70% of high-volume water consumption takes place at home, according to the City’s statistics.

As such, More Summer’s top 10 summer water-saving tips include:

• Flush less: Only flush when necessary and never use the toilet as a bin.
• Take shorter showers: Opt for quick showers or small baths.
• Wash full loads: Only run washing machines and dishwashers when full.
• Turn off taps: Avoid leaving taps running when brushing your teeth or shaving.
• Wash cars wisely: Use a bucket or fit hosepipes with a spray nozzle to control water flow.
• Control garden watering: Use a nozzle restrictor and avoid continuous spraying.
• Water at cooler times: Limit garden watering to one hour, before 09:00 or after 18:00.
• Water plant roots: Direct water towards the roots wherever possible.
• Limit water play: Supervise children’s water activities and avoid wasteful spraying. Use a wet cloth to cool down instead.
• Cover swimming pools: Keep pools covered when not in use to reduce evaporation. Recycle backwash and top up with rainwater or alternative water where possible.

The City also reminds residents that permanent water-use regulations under its Water By-law remain in force, even when there are no water restrictions.

Driest July on record

Cape Town has witnessed a drier-than-usual winter in 2026, while large parts of the south-western Western Cape experienced their driest July on record as the global effects of El Niño are being felt.

Unlike other major South African cities, Cape Town has a ‘Mediterranean’ climate, with most of the rain falling in winter.

City officials are trying to avoid a repeat of the 2017/18 Cape Town water crisis, and the looming threat of a ‘Day Zero.’

Residents can find further water-saving advice and information about existing regulations on the City’s website.