Cape town water crisis
Turnaround in Theewaterskloof dam level described as 'incredible'
The City of Cape Town's dams are nearly filled to capacity.
They were increased at the height of Cape Town's water crisis several years ago but with dam levels having vastly improved, the municipality hasn't indicated if tariffs will be cut any time soon.
City Mayco member for Water and Waste, Xanthea Limberg, said that the city was aware that the increase in dam levels was generating questions around water tariffs.
This forms part of the city's water strategy to make the municipality more resilient to drought and other climate shocks.
The City of Cape Town's Michael Webster said that the drought was a wake-up call during which many lessons were learnt and a water strategy was developed.
The City of Cape Town's Xanthea said that the long-term effects of the water crisis were acutely felt on farms, but she said that the upside of the drought was the lessons it had taught them.
As dam levels continue to rise, EWN visited Western Cape farms to find out how the drought affected production. Gelukstroom farm supervisor Rita Valentine says extensive planning and adapting production methods was the only way they survived.
The city also significantly hiked tariffs as well as rolling out management devices, which set a daily limit on the water supply to properties.
The Western Cape government said that continued good rainfall in the province had seen dam levels across the province reach their highest levels in four years, with a few exceptions.
Parts of the Central Karoo and other farming areas in the province are still reeling from the province's worst drought in 2017.
It might seem like a long time ago to some residents, but just more than a year ago, there were dire predictions that the city’s taps would run dry by April 2018.
Mayor Dan Plato said that the Mother City has now become world-renowned for its water demand management and conservation efforts.
African National Congress (ANC) Western Cape elections head Ebrahim Rasool and several other party members told voters that the DA-run City of Cape Town cashed in close to R1 billion from the water crisis.
Mayor Dan Plato said that the allocation looks to the future but he also reflected on the water crisis' role in getting citizens to work together with council.
SOSNPO, a South African water NPO, joined the line-up of prestigious directors for the groundbreaking documentary.
The ANC filed the class action in the Western Cape High Court last year on behalf of four residents seeking to have all water and sanitation tariff increases set aside.
With dams sitting at 53 capacity the City of Cape Town has gradually eased restrictions.
Officials say dam levels in the Western Cape are continuously decreasing due to soaring temperatures that trigger high rates of evaporation.
Officials say the metro will rely on rain-fed dams for most of its water, as it is much cheaper than alternative supply sources.