Western Cape Water Supply System

The Western Cape Water Supply System (WCWSS) is a complex water supply system in the Western Cape region of South Africa, comprising an inter-linked system of six main dams, pipelines, tunnels and distribution networks, and a number of minor dams, some owned and operated by the Department of Water and Sanitation and some by the City of Cape Town.

The levels of these dams are recorded and published in weekly reports by the Department of Water and Sanitation.

[5] In 2009 storage capacity in the system was increased by 17% from 768 to 898 million cubic metres through the completion of the Berg River Dam.

[7] The system provides water to irrigate about 15,000ha of farmland, where high-value fruit and vegetables are grown.

Farmers have adapted by significantly improving irrigation efficiency and shifting even more land into the production of high-value crops.

The locations of major and minor dams in the Western Cape Water Supply System. Major dams: A - Theewaterskloof, B - Voëlvlei, C - Berg River, D - Wemmershoek, E - Steenbras Lower, F - Steenbras Upper. Minor dams: G - Kleinplaats, H - Woodhead, I - Hely-Hutchinson, J - Land-en-Zeezicht, K - De Villiers, L - Lewis Gay, M - Victoria, N - Alexandra
Graph of total water stored in the Western Cape's largest six dams (blue) as well as City of Cape Town water restriction level (orange) from November 2013 to August 2021.