Durban Dam levels rise
Recent rains have raised the dam levels and the possibility of the removal of water restrictions has been discussed.
GOOD rains in the dam catchment areas has raised the dam levels and the possibility of the removal of water restrictions has been discussed.
“There has been significant improvement in Mgeni system water resources the past two weeks. Total water resources in this system presently amounts to 69%; but it has to get to 70% before an application is made to the Department of Water and Sanitation for the 15% mandatory water restrictions in the Mgeni system to be lifted,” said corporate stakeholder manager, Umgeni Water, Shami Harichunder.
As a result of good rains in the catchments of Midmar Dam the past two weeks, this dam is presently at 69% and overflowing.
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Releases and overflow from Midmar have pushed up the level of downstream Albert Fall Dam to 32%, heralding small but steady improvement in the level of this dam.
On Thursday, 22 March levels of other dams in the Mgeni system were: lqNagle: 58%, lqInanda: 64%, lqMearns: 108% and lqSpring Grove: 101%.
“The Joint Operations Committee for the Mgeni system met on Thursday, 22 March and expressed the view that removal of restrictions was a possibility.”
A model used by Umgeni Water and the Department of Water and Sanitation to determine current water resource availability in the Mgeni system and projections of future demands, rainfall and possible impact on this system, will be run again in May 2018.
“It is expected that restrictions will end after the May Joint Operations Committee meeting,” Harichunder said.
The Mgeni system, the largest system in Umgeni Water’s operational area, has imposed water restrictions of 15% for approximately 30 months as a result of rainfall deficit caused by prolonged drought. This system supplies an estimated four million consumers in Msunduzi, uMgungundlovu and eThekwini regions.
ALSO READ: Water restrictions remain until dam levels reach 70 per cent
Responding to calls for clarification regarding the removal of restrictions, KZN Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) stated in a press release that: “Any decision to lift the water restrictions will be done following a due legal process and in consultation with all stakeholders involved including the National Government.”
“The assessment will take into account the fact that KZN is now entering its winter season which is usually dry,” said KZN Cogta spokesperson, Lennox Mabaso.
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