Dam levels slightly increase
The situation currently looks much better as a result of the recent rains and DWS calls for more restraint from the public in their water use.
The Department of Water and Sanitation’s (DWS) weekly state of reservoirs report of April 2 shows a slight improvement in the average levels of water in the major dams in the province.
The Provincial average of water in the dams increased from 81.0 per cent to 81.3 per cent.
The water management areas also recorded increases in the volume of water; with the Olifants catchment increasing from 69.9 per cent to 73.4 per cent and the Inkomati-Usuthu catchment increasing from 78.8 per cent to 79.9 per cent.
Mr Themba Khoza from the department of water and sanitation said that most dams in the Ehlanzeni and Gert Sibande Districts recorded slight increases in water volumes, whilst the major dams in the Nkangala District show declines in the water levels.
The Driekoppies and Inyaka dams in the Ehlanzeni District recorded unchanged results at 58.1 per cent and 77.4 per cent respectively.
Witklip Dam increased from 95.9 per cent to 97.3 per cent, Longmere Dam increased from 65.3 per cent to 65.5 per cent, Kwena Dam increased from 67.4 per cent to 68.8 per cent and Da Gama Dam increased from 84.7 per cent to 85.5 per cent.
In the Gert Sibande District, Groodraai Dam increased from 102.1 per cent to 102.8 per cent, Jericho Dam increased from 88.2 per cent to 88.9 per cent, Heyshope Dam increased from 87.1per cent to 87.9 per cent, Nooitgedacht Dam increased from 96.0 per cent to 101.8 per cent and the Vygeboom Dam increased from 100.9 per cent to 101.4 per cent.
“The major dams in the Nkangala District recorded some declines in water volumes with only the Witbank Dam unchanged at 100.7 per cent. The Middelburg Dam decreased from 95.5 per cent to 93.6 per cent and the Loskop Dam decreased from 104.4 per cent to 102.2 per cent,” said Khoza.
The situation currently looks much better as a result of the recent rains and DWS calls for more restraint from the public in their water use.
We need to always remind each other that we live in a water scarce country, therefore water use efficiency and water conservation must always be our priority.
“We are approaching the dry winter season so it is important that we continue using the available water wisely and sparingly for water security for all in our water scarce country.
Let us always use water in a responsible way to ensure reliable access to this precious resource for the current and future generations. Water has no substitute so it is our responsibility to ensure that we do not run out of this important source of life,” explained Khoza.
