Limpopo dam levels down to 82% but still holding steadily

Limpopo dam levels are more steady this week amid the consistent decline that has been experienced in recent months due to lack of rain, a status of reservoirs report issued by the department of water and sanitation reveals.

“The provincial water levels have slightly decreased to 82.2% this week compared to last week’s 82.5%,” said department spokesperson Sputnik Ratau.

“The water levels have significantly improved this year as compared to last year’s 63.5% during this time.”

Moreover, water storage in the province has also declined and stands at 1 216.9 cubic metres out of a full capacity of 1 480.10 cubic metres.

The Polokwane water supply system, with dams supplying water to Polokwane and surrounding areas, is at 86.9%, down from last week’s 87.3%.

Ebenezer Dam in Groot Letaba, which supplies most communities around Polokwane, has dropped from last week’s 99.2% to 98.8% this week. “This is, however, a huge improvement from last year when it stood at 13.1% at this time,” Ratau said.

In Vhembe District, Nandoni Dam, supplied by Levhuvhu River, is at 100.9% this week from 100.8% last week. The dam recorded 99.2% last year at this time.

Vondo Dam has declined to 97.1% this week, compared to last week’s 97.9%. The dam recorded 93.5% last year during this period.

De Hoop Dam in Steelpoort, which supplies the community of Sekhukhune and local mining industries, has also declined to 96.2 this week, compared to last week’s 96.4%. This is an improvement from last year’s 92.5% at this time.

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Flag Boshielo Dam is normally at full capacity but is now on a downward spiral, recording 82.4% this week from 82.9% last week.

The dam recorded 95.4% last year at this time. Mokolo Dam has also decreased and is now sitting at 99.3% this week from last week’s 99.5%.

This is a great level compared to 47.8% last year at this time.

Tzaneen Dam, which supplies water to farmers for irrigation in the area, has also dropped significantly this week. It is now at 91.4% from last week’s 92.2%. It was at a critical low of 18.3% last year at this time.

Middle Letaba Dam is critically low at 8.0% this week, down from 8.1% last week.

Doorndraai Dam has declined to 39.0% this week compared to last week’s 39.1%, an improvement compared 10.0% it recorded last year at this time.

The department of water and sanitation reiterated its call to consumers in the province to continue using water sparingly.

– news@citizen.co.za