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By Stephen Tau

Journalist


SA urged to use water sparingly despite increasing dam levels

The only time when water restrictions could be lifted would be when the dam levels have risen above 70%.


Despite the average national dam levels having almost reached the 60% mark, South Africans are again advised to use water sparingly.

The department of water affairs on Wednesday took members of the media on a tour to Vaal Dam in Deneysville, which towards the end of last year dipped to alarming low levels of 25%. Speaking to The Citizen, deputy director-general in the department Trevor Balzer said the only time when the issue of water restrictions applied would be reconsidered would be when the dam levels have risen above 70%.

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“At the moment, we are not out of the woods yet despite the recent heavy downpours … in fact we would need more rain similar to what we received last weekend,” he said.

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The low dam levels prompted authorities to commence with a replenishing exercise at the Sterkfontein dam, which meant releasing water into the Vaal dam.

Sterkfontein Dam is used as a reserve, while Vaal Dam supplies water mainly to Gauteng.

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