Chelmsford/Ntshingwayo Dam recorded a slight decrease in level from last week to this week (from 74.2% to 73.7%).
In the weekly report on KwaZulu-Natal’s reservoirs by the Department of Water and Sanitation, departmental spokesperson, Sputnik Ratau said despite a three-week decline in dam levels, the Umgeni Water Supply System is recording ‘above average’ levels.
“In comparison to the same period last year, the Umgeni System stood at 68.4 per cent,” explained Ratau.
He has predicted that dam levels will rise ahead of anticipated rainfall in late September and early October. Ratau further noted provincial water storage capacity was at 68.9%, a slight decrease from the previous weeks.
In the report, the department stated Midmar Dam’s level dropped from 95.2% to 94.6%, Nagle Dam’s level rose slightly from 81.3% to 84.5% and Albert Falls Dam, one of the largest in the province, saw a decline from 51.5% to 50.7%. Inanda and Hazelmere Dams are at 89.9% and 40.8% of their respective capacities.
Ratau commented that the department had taken note of several municipalities’ efforts to supplement water supply in water-stressed communities and further commended the efforts of provincial government to help bring relief to residents in need.
“You would have noted that on Monday (August 9), KZN Premier, Sihle Zikalala handed over water tankers to the Ugu District Municipality after several tankers were burnt during recent unrests…”
Ratau stated tanks and tankers are intended to provide immediate relief and said the department was ‘working closely with its entities’ to implement bulk water projects ,to ensure water security for all.
Full dam level figures are as follows:
Ntshingwayo Dam – 74.2% from 73.7%
Hluhluwe Dam- 89.9% from 89.2%
Mearns Dam – 49.8% from 55.3%
Spioenkop Dam – 97.7% from 97.2%
Zaaihoek Dam – 78.4% from 75.4%
Spring Grove Dam – 89.3% from 86.5%
Bivane Dam – 90.7 % from 90.7%
Klipfontein Dam – 90.9% from 88.2%
Pongolapoort Dam – 56.9% from 56.8%
Driel Barrage Dam – 110.2% (no change)
Goedertrouw Dam – 72.2% from 71.9%
“The Department of Water and Sanitation is pleading with water users to use water wisely during this period, as water levels in the province are rapidly declining,” concluded Ratau.
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