Our Dam Levels and Water Status
Pearly Beach is supplied with bulk water from the Pearly Beach Dam and the Koekemoer Dam. Although the smaller Pearly Beach Dam level is still at 95% of capacity, the Koekemoer Dam dropped to 40% following damage to a private bulk water pipeline out of the municipality’s control during the recent fires.
As a precautionary measure and considering the low rainfall since August 2025 and predictions of another dry winter in 2026, water restrictions are implemented.
Overstrand Municipality investigated groundwater potential in the area and is in the process of appointing a drilling contractor, to diversify the town’s water sources and to reduce dependence on surface water dams.
The restrictive measures are as follows:
- Gardens and lawns are not to be watered with municipal water using a hose pipe or an irrigation system.
- Swimming pools are not to be filled with municipal water.
- Use of a hose pipe with municipal water to wash vehicles is prohibited.
At this stage no water restrictions are applicable in the other areas of the Overstrand but the situation in all the towns is closely monitored.
The water services by-law clause 46 remains in place for the entire Overstrand area, which requires that no irrigation takes place between 9:00 and 17:00 daily. This is just good practice, to limit evaporation during the generally warmest period of the day.
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.
