The average water level of Western Cape dams is less than 50% of capacity, local government MEC Anton Bredell confirmed on Wednesday.

Dams in the province are currently at an average of 49.81%, compared to last year’s 58.39%.

The Cape Town combined system dams are currently at 50.65%, compared to 60.36% during the same period last year.

The Berg River catchment is at 59.22% compared to last year’s 56.94%; the Breede River catchment is at 48.08% while it was at 58.95% last year; the Gouritz River catchment is at 28.8%, nearly half of last year’s 56.61%; the Olifants/Doorn River catchment is at 77.37% compared to last year’s 62.20%.

Water usage across the province remains high, Bredell said, and may be attributed to the large number of holidaymakers making their way to the Cape.

This results in an increase in the demand for water, he said.

The department last week held a water awareness drive in the Central Karoo, which is one of the worst affected areas in the province.

The water situation is however not yet a crisis, Bredell said.

“We are constantly monitoring the situation and municipalities are implementing additional measures including restrictions and tariff increases where necessary.”