Our Dam Levels and Water Status
OVERSTRAND DAM LEVELS
The status of the dam levels supplying Overstrand as of the end December 2025:
- De Bos (supplying Hermanus from Benguela Cove/Fisherhaven to Voëlklip):
83% (compared to 96.4% at the end of December 2024) - Buffelsrivier (supplying Rooi-Els, Pringle Bay, and Betty’s Bay):
77% (compared to 95% at the end of December 2024) - Kraaibosch (supplying the Greater Gansbaai area):
97.7% (end November 2025, compared to 87% at the end of December 2024 - Pearly Beach
95% (compared to 87% at the end of December 2024) - Koekemoer Dam (Pearly Beach):
70% (compared to 100% in December 2024)
Water restrictions
Overstrand currently has no water restrictions.
The municipality has a permanent provision that prohibits residents from irrigating gardens between 09:00 and 17:00 in order to prevent unnecessary loss of water through evaporation as per the water services by-law clause 42(1)(f).
Residents are once again reminded that water is a scarce source and must be used sparingly.
THE CURRENT SITUATION: WHY WE MUST ACT NOW
While there are currently no formal water restrictions in place, we must remain vigilant to avoid them.
The data shows a significant shift in our environmental conditions:
- Decreased Rainfall: In 2025, we recorded only 482mm of rain, a sharp drop from the 746mm received in 2024.
- Below Average: This is well below the Hermanus annual average of 640mm,
requiring the Municipality to monitor dam levels very closely. - Consumption Trends: Between December 2024 and December 2025,
water consumption increased across nearly all towns. Only Kleinmond and
Buffelsrivier saw a decrease, likely due to fewer pipe breakages during
the month.
DETAILED CONSUMPTION COMPARISON (kℓ)
Dorp | Nov 2024 (kl) | Nov 2025 (kl) | Des 2024 (kl) | Des 2025 (kl) |
Kleinmond | 86 848 | 88 054 | 112 721 | 101 321 |
Buffelsrivier | 60 001 | 71 734 | 82 209 | 80 148 |
Greater Hermanus | 442 400 | 515 140 | 515 650 | 543 860 |
Stanford | 41 245 | 47 902 | 52 512 | 55 118 |
Greater Gansbaai | 129 153 | 151 610 | 156 572 | 176 144 |
Baardskeerdersbos | 1 711 | 2 137 | 2 189 | 2 561 |
Buffeljagsbaai | 591 | 725 | 783 | 846 |
Pearly Beach | 13 142 | 17 148 | 20 206 | 21 525 |
OVERSTRAND DAM LEVELS AT THE END OF OCTOBER 2024
The state of dam levels supplying Overstrand as of 31 October 2024 (with last year’s levels during the same time in brackets):
- De Bos at Hermanus: 100.5% (100.5%)
- Buffelsrivier at Betty’s Bay: 100% (100%)
- Kraaibosch at Gansbaai: 105% (101%)
- Koekemoer at Pearly Beach: 100% (100%)
- Pearly Beach: 86% (63%)
De Bos Dam level update for last week (07 Oct to 13 Oct 2024):
- De Bos Dam level: 100.55 %
- Change in De Bos Dam level from previous week: – 0.38 %.
- Previous year, 13 Oct 2023, Dam level: 101.63 %
- Average daily water consumption: 14.175 million litres per day (previous week: 12.829 million litres per day)
- Rainfall for the week: 0.0 mm.
Water restrictions
Overstrand currently has no water restrictions.
The municipality has a permanent provision that prohibits residents from irrigating gardens between 09:00 and 17:00 in order to prevent unnecessary loss of water through evaporation as per the water services by-law clause 42(1)(f).
Residents are once again reminded that water is a scarce source and must be used sparingly.
Overstrand dam levels: July 2024
The state of dam levels supplying Overstrand at end-July 2024:
Buffelsrivier – 109%
De Bos – 101%
Kraaibosch – 106%
Pearly Beach – 75%
Koekemoer at Pearly Beach – 100%
- The De Bos Dam in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley is the main water source for Greater Hermanus, apart from 10 boreholes.
- Rooi-Els, Pringle Bay, and Betty’s Bay are supplied by the Buffels River Dam, while Kleinmond is supplied by the Palmiet River.
- Gansbaai is supplied by the Kraaibosch Dam as well as the Grotte and De Kelders Springs; Stanford is supplied by the Eye Spring and two boreholes; and Pearly Beach is supplied by the Pearly Beach and Koekemoer Dams.
Water restrictions
Overstrand currently has no water restrictions.
The municipality has a permanent provision that prohibits residents from irrigating gardens between 09:00 and 17:00 in order to prevent unnecessary loss of water through evaporation as per the water services by-law clause 42(1)(f).
Residents are once again reminded that water is a scarce source and must be used sparingly.
