Our Dam Levels and Water Status
MAY 2026 DAM LEVELS AND WATER STATUS: Every drop still counts
Following the recent rains in May 2026, the two dams supplying bulk water to Pearly Beach are now both at full capacity and water restrictions for the area are lifted with immediate effect from today, 19 May 2026.
Overstrand Municipality implemented these water restrictions in Pearly Beach in February this year as a precautionary measure. Pearly Beach is supplied with bulk water from the Pearly Beach and Koekemoer Dams. The restrictions were put in place after the level of the Koekemoer Dam dropped to 40% due to damage to a private bulk water pipeline during the fires in the area. No other areas in the Overstrand had water restrictions during this time.
Rainfall across the Overstrand has also brought other municipal dams to full capacity, including the Buffels River Dam (supplying Rooi-Els, Pringle Bay and Betty’s Bay) and the Kraaibosch Dam (supplying Gansbaai).
The De Bos Dam (supplying Greater Hermanus) is currently at 91.9%, which is a massive increase of +24.7% from the previous week and significantly higher than the 73.5% recorded during the same period last year on 17 May 2025.
The Municipality extends its sincere appreciation to all residents, businesses, and visitors for their continued efforts to save water during the restriction period in Pearly Beach. Your responsible water use has played an important role in protecting our shared water resources. Every drop still counts.
Residents are encouraged to maintain water-wise practices as part of their daily routines, not only during periods of restriction. Every drop still counts.
Report leaks via the Overstrand Citizen App or call 028 313 8111 (available 24/7).
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 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.
