THE Albert Falls Dam level has dropped to below 30 per cent and reducing at a rate of 1 per cent per week. The 15 per cent water restrictions in about 80 per cent of Durban remain and an application has been made to extend these restrictions for further 12 months.
The Joint Operations Committee (JOC), established to monitor and manage water distribution and consumption in water shortage-affected Mgeni system, met in Durban on Friday, 11 August to discuss the deteriorating level of Albert Falls, the largest dam in Umgeni Water’s operational area.
Also read: Water restrictions remain until dam levels reach 70 per cent
eThekwini Metro, Msunduzi Local Municipality, uMgungundlovu District Municipality and Ugu District Municipality receive potable water from the Mgeni system through Umgeni Water and this, in turn, is supplied to an estimated four million consumers comprising domestic, business and industry and government buildings.
Umgeni Water’s Corporate Stakeholder Manager, Shami Harichunder, said the current level of Albert Falls Dam, at 29, 4 per cent, was worrying.
“This dam is reducing at 1 per cent per week and there isn’t sufficient water in it to meet the full demand of areas it supplies,” Harichunder said.
The areas that are supplied by Albert Falls are: Durban North, Westville, KwaDabeka, Durban Central, Pinetown and Reservoir Hills.
This is the first time in eight months that the level of Albert Falls Dam has fallen to below 30 per cent, and this has been attributed to less than average rainfall over a protracted period, spanning almost three years, and no rainfall over the past month.
Harichunder said Albert Falls Dam has been under stress since 2014 when the effects of the drought were felt in below-average rainfall.
“This dam has been worst affected by water shortages and to bolster its current level, Umgeni Water may have to transfer water into it from Midmar Dam.
Harichunder said: “There are two key factors to consider regarding continued water restrictions. Collectively, in the entire Mgeni system, there isn’t sufficient water to meet the full demands of uMgungundlovu, Pietermaritzburg, Durban and parts of Ugu and the reduction in consumption contributes to water resources currently available lasting until the next rainfall season. If water restrictions are not applied, dams will fail and the consequences will be serious. It is in this context, therefore, the need for water conservation remains imperative.”
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