Ntshingwayo Dam level on the rise –
The level of the Ntshingwayo (Chelmsford) Dam has increased from 77.9% last week to 78.3% this week.
In the latest report from the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), most dams are said to remain ‘above average’. The combined level of these reservoirs saw a marginal rise from 89.3% to 89.6%.
According to DWS spokesman, Sputnik Ratau, the Umgeni system is down slightly to 101.5% this week. Last year at this time, the system stood at 84.9%.
Dam figures have been reported as follows:
Hazelmere Dam – up from 58.9% to 60.8%
Driel Barrage – unchanged at 96.7%
Midmar Dam – down from 100.8% to 100.5%
Nagle Dam – down from 101.9% to 101.1%
Albert Falls Dam – down from 101.9% to 100.8%
Woodstock Dam – up from 91.1% to 93.6%
Craigieburn Dam – down from 100.6% to 100.5%
Mearns Dam – down from 110.3% to 105.7%
Spring Grove Dam – down from 101.4% to 100.9%
Bivane Dam – unchanged at 100.8%
Spioenkop Dam – down from 100.3% to 100.2%
Pongolapoort Dam – up from 83.8% to 84.1%
Klipfontein Dam – unchanged at 101.3%
Inanda Dam – up from 103.1% to 103.5% Z
aaihoek Dam – unchanged at 90.6%
Hluhluwe Dam – down from 68.3% to 67.2%
Wagendrift Dam – unchanged at 101.8%
DWS has again called on residents to use water sparingly, even with dam levels steady. Ratau cited data from DWS hydrologists on the effects of climate change, and the heightened unpredictability of weather patterns – particularly rainfall.
In simple terms, dams can be full to capacity today, and almost empty in a few months. It is for this reason that we call on everyone to be very prudent with water use in their homes.”
Ratau added that poor domestic water usage was a persistent challenge for DWS. He also mentioned the critical role municipalities play in ensuring water leaks and malfunctioning infrastructure are attended with urgency.
While we urge residents to use with care, we call on municipalities to pull up their socks and attend to matters relating to water leaks, the refurbishment of water infrastructure and water reticulation. South Africa is a water scarce country and if we do not all do what we are meant to do, we will be in serious trouble in the future,” he concluded.
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