Johannesburg - The rain may be falling, but water restrictions will remain firmly in place.

The department of water and sanitation may decide to lift the restrictions, but only in May in summer rainfall areas.

On Wednesday, the department’s deputy director-general, Trevor Balzer‚ said dam levels around the country stood at an average of 50.7%. The Vaal Dam is now 52.8% full and the levels of dams in all provinces have risen, except those in Western Cape.

In Cape Town, where dam levels sit at 44.3%, residents are using too much water – 59 million litres more than the city’s daily quota.

“Unless a drastic improvement is observed, more serious restrictions, including a blanket ban on watering gardens or filling pools, will need to be applied,” the city said in a statement.

The City of Cape Town has also encouraged residents to report their neighbours who break the rules.

Meanwhile, Joburg and Tshwane residents were doing better, with Joburgers saving 14.4% this past week while Tshwane saved 21.1%.

However, Balzer said Ekurhuleni was battling to reach its targets.









