Water restrictions remain until dam levels reach 70 per cent
While the level of Midmar Dam has begun rising steadily, in part as a result of transfers into it, Albert Falls, the largest dam in the Mgeni system, is still under serious stress.
THE 15 per cent water restriction remain until the the avareage levels of dams is at 70 per cent. Water resources in the entire system collectively are currently at approximately 60 per cent.
“To reduce consumption and ensure water resource availability in the months ahead, an application has been made for mandatory water restrictions of 15 per cent in the Mgeni system supply areas
to be extended for another 12 months,”said Corporate Stakeholder Manager, Umgeni Water, Shami Harichunder.
“The application has been made to the Ministry of Water and Sanitation and it is expected to be approved and gazetted in the coming week. Implementation will then become retrospective to 1 July.”
The request for water restrictions to be extended was an outcome of a series of meetings of the Mgeni system Joint Operations Committee and is in response to concerns over forecasts of below-average
rainfall in the coming rain season.
Mandatory restrictions of 15 per cent were gazetted a year ago and were applied with immediate effect.
The current restrictions require the four municipalities that receive water from the Mgeni system – uMgungundlovu District Municipality, Msunduzi Local Municipality, eThekwini Metro and Ugu
District Municipality – must produce savings of 15 per cenr and consumers must, in turn, reduce consumption by at least 15 per cent.
As an additional measure to support water resource availability in the Mgeni system, Umgeni Water has reduced potable water production by 15 per cent at its Midmar, DV Harris, Wiggins, Durban Heights and Amanzimtoti water treatment plants.
An estimated four million consumers, comprising households, industry, business and government services, receive water from the Mgeni system.
To supplement water resources in Midmar Dam, water is being transferred into it from Spring Grove Dam. Insufficient water in Midmar and Albert Falls dams have been the cause of water shortages in the entire Mgeni system, and the need for 15 per cent restrictions.
While the level of Midmar Dam has begun rising steadily, in part as a result of transfers into it, Albert Falls, the largest dam in the Mgeni system, is still under serious stress.
Dam levels on Friday, July 14.
Midmar Dam – 76, 03%
Albert Falls Dam – 32, 74%.
Inanda Dam – 65, 47%
Nagle Dam – 65, 45%
Spring Grove Dam – 88, 2%,
Mearns Dam – 41, 46%.
Hazelmere Dam – 114, 61%
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