The City of Cape Town urged residents to reduce non-essential water consumption, due to excessive water usage over the past few weeks. The Capetonians were requested to be more water-wise and minimise unnecessary consumption.
This holiday season, Manzi – the water and sanitation mascot joined the City staff on the ground to promote responsible water use and helped residents in protecting Cape Town’s water supply.
Reportedly, the city has set collective water-wise daily usage target of less than 975 million litres per day (MLD) for the summer season. This allocation was determined to mitigate the risk associated with below average or unpredictable rainfall during 2026 and to maintain a reliable water supply.
The average water usage stands at 1,025 MLD as of Wednesday, Dec 31, 2025 with the dam levels of the city at 70.5%. Climate changes are increasingly altering rainfall patterns in the Western Cape by making dry periods stay longer and rainfall as more intense but less frequent. The dam replenishment is less predictable here.
Scientific projections show that the region is likely to experience greater variability in future rainfall with a higher risk of extended dry spells and hotter summers that increase evaporation and water demand.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Water and Sanitation – Councillor Zahid Badroodien said that currently, the main supply dams of the City of Cape Town are 19.2% lower than the count recorded last year at this time. As a resident of city they have collectively and consistently been using over 1000 million litres of water daily.
Considering this, all Capetonians, visitors and businesses were encouraged to carefully manage their waste use over the coming months. The City of Cape Town reminds the public of some key points to keep water usage down, such as:
- To take short, stop-start showers or small baths. The maximum flow rate of new and replaced showerheads may not exceed seven litres.
- Wash more with less, apply this formula for laundry and dishes. Only wash clothes and dishes when really needed. Washing and spot-cleaning can use less water.
- Turn off taps and hoses when not using the water.
- Only water gardens, before 9:00 a.m. or after 6:00 p.m. to avoid evaporation losses.
- Keep summer fun water wise. Use water mindfully for children’s play and cooling. For e.g. use a wet cloth to cool down hot skin and avoid wasteful spraying of water.
- Swim, Cover, Save, Repeat. Built-in and fold-away pools must be covered when not in use.
- To prevent up to 95% of evaporation losses. Recycle the backwash and top with rainwater or alternative water where possible.
Also, early and sustained reductions in water use help to protect water security, reduce the risk of sudden restrictions and ensure that sufficient reserves are available, and rainfall in 2026 should be below average.
Adjust your habits of water-use now, across households, businesses and the tourism sector that will help in building resilience against climate-related shocks and safeguard water supplies.
Cape Town is not waiting for the next crisis. Through the New Water Programme, the city is actively securing new water from reuse, desalination and ground water to protect the water future. These investments take time, which is why every Capetonian’s water choices matter today.
Saving water now is how we protect the city tomorrow. Residents and businesses are advised to use water wisely at all times this summer.