Vaal and other dam levels decline steadily

The Department of Water and Sanitation has announced that the level of the Vaal Dam has dipped below the 50 percent mark, measured at 48.9 percent this week as opposed to the 49.8 percent recorded last week. This is a far cry from the 70.8 percent recorded during the same week last year.

A statement read, ‘The Department notes the drop in dam levels during this uncertain time when community members are supposed to practice good hygiene by washing hands with water and soap.’

Worryingly, levels of other dams which form part of the Integrated Vaal River System (IVRS) have also declined.  The Grootdraai Dam fell from 87.8 percent last week to 86.7 percent this week, while the Bloemhof Dam is at 99.1 percent this week compared to last week’s 100.6 percent.

The Mohale and Katse dams continue to be a concern, consistently recording low water levels. On a more positive note, the level of the Sterkfontein Dam rose slightly this week to 93.7 percent from 93.6 percent last week. The IVRS collectively took a knock this week, dropping from 67.3 percent to 66.6 percent. During the same period last year, levels were at 73.7 percent.

The Department stresses the importance of communities heeding the call to practice good hygiene while still taking care to use water wisely and sparingly. Communities are also encouraged to avoid water being wasted by fixing or reporting leaking pipes and taps. “Consumers are reminded that winter is here, which means less rain in the coming months,” added the department.