UPDATE: Dam levels in the province still on a downward trend
As the water levels continue to drop, it is crucial that we all remember that South Africa is a water scarce country that requires everyone to make every drop count.
The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) would like to urge and encourage the public to use water sparingly and in a wise manner as the water levels continue to drop in the Mpumalanga Province.
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According to the DWS weekly state of reservoirs report of Tuesday, the average dam levels recorded a 0.4 per cent drop in water volumes in just one week. The water management areas also followed trend, with the Olifants catchment dropping from 70.5 per cent to 70 per cent and the Inkomati-Usuthu catchment dropped from 79.7 per cent to 79.4 per cent .
In the Ehlanzeni District, Witklip Dam dropped from 94.9 per cent to 93.9 per cent, Kwena Dam dropped from 73.4 per cent to 72.9 per cent, Inyaka Dam dropped from 74 per cent to 73.5 per cent and Longmere Dam decreased from 77.2 per cent to 74.1 per cent. The Primkop and Klipkopjes dams recorded some slight increases in water levels, with Primkop increasing from 89 per cent to 89.6 per cent and Klipkopjes increasing from 72.1 per cent to 72.3 per cent. Driekoppies and Da Gama dams remained unchanged at 68.2 per cent and 79,5% respectively.
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Witbank Dam in the Nkangala District went below the 100 per cent mark as it decreased from 100.4 per cent to 99.3 per cent . Middelburg Dam decreased from 97.9 per cent to 97.8 per cent and Loskop Dam dropped from 99.6% to 99.3%.
In the Gert Sibande District, the decline in water volumes continues. Grootdraai Dam dropped from 89 per cent to 88.1 per cent , Nooitgedacht Dam dropped from 91.5 per cent to 91.3 per cent , Vygeboom Dam dropped from 96.7% to 95.2%, Heyshope Dam decreased from 87.7 per cent to 87.6 per cent, Westoe Dam decreased from 55.5 per cent to 55.3 per cent and Jericho Dam dropped from 82.7 per cent to 82.2 per cent. Morgenstond Dam remained unchanged at 79.4 per cent.
As the water levels continue to drop, it is crucial that we all remember that South Africa is a water scarce country that requires everyone to make every drop count. Water conservation is the responsibility of each and every one of us to ensure reliable water supply and water security for the current and future generations and socio-economic development.
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