The major water systems in Umgeni Water’s supply area remain in a healthy state as the dry season approaches. Assessments done by Umgeni Water show that the Mgeni, South Coast, North Coast, Upper Thukela and Ixopo systems have adequate water resources to meet the full demands during the winter months and beyond. This means there is no risk of water shortages occurring in this period.
The latest analysis of the status of water resources in the vast operational area of Umgeni Water is contained in a quarterly report for the period January-April 2021 and prepared by Umgeni Water.
The position has remained stable from the end of April 2021 and – as at May 27, 2021 – the total amount of water in storage in the Mgeni System (the largest system in KwaZulu-Natal that serves four municipalities) was at 85%; an improvement of 9% over the corresponding period in 2020.
The municipalities of eThekwini, uMgungundlovu, Msunduzi and the northern parts of Ugu receive water abstracted and treated in the Mgeni System. The six dams in the Mgeni System – Spring Grove, Mearns, Midmar, Albert Falls, Nagle and Inanda – range in levels between 56% and 100%, and are all at improved levels when compared to May 2020. The largest of these dams, Albert Falls, is at 54% and continues to rise as a result of spills from Midmar Dam, which remains full to capacity. A year ago, Albert Falls was at 44%.
The strong state of Midmar Dam has been supported by pumping from Spring Grove and Mearns dams, and from the Mooi River. Analysis shows that if pumping did not take place, Midmar Dam would have been at 53% at the beginning of May 2021.
In the Upper Thukela System that serves parts of the uThukela District, the four dams there – Spioenkop, Wagensdrift, Woodstock and Olifantskop – are at levels of between 99% and 102%. Two of them, Wagensdrift and Olifantskop, are overflowing. There is adequate water resources to meet the full needs of the supply areas of the water treatment works that receive water from these dams.
Similarly, there is no risk of water shortages occurring during the winter months and beyond.
Also read: Spioenkop Dam remains at just over 100% for 2 weeks straight
An assessment done by the South African Weather Service from January-April 2021 suggests that La Niña conditions are likely to weaken and return to a neutral state. This could result in normal to below-normal rainfall from June to August 2021, in particular for KwaZulu-Natal and including Umgeni Water’s operational area.
Click to receive news links via WhatsApp. Or for the latest news, visit our webpage or follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Join us there!
