Dam levels remain stable in KwaZulu-Natal despite water scarcity concerns
While most of KwaZulu-Natal’s storage capacity has recorded above-average percentages, the Department acknowledges that there are communities experiencing water shortages
The weekly report issued by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) earlier this week has shown that the overall water storage capacity in KwaZulu-Natal is stable, recording 89.3% this week as compared to last week’s 88.7%.
This is amid the water scarcity concerns experienced in some parts of the province.
The province’s main water supply, Umgeni, which provides water to five dams, including one of the largest dams in KwaZulu-Natal, Albert-Falls Dam, has remained at 100% full capacity.
- Albert-Falls Dam, responsible for supplying water to the eThekwini Metro and surrounding areas, is at 101.3%, a minimal decrease from last week’s 101.1%.
- Midmar Dam on the Mgeni River is at 100.5%, and Nagle Dam, which is on the Umgeni water supply system, has also recorded above-average percentages, sitting at 100.5%, while Inanda Dam is at 102.2% from 102.4%.
- Driel Barrage Dam on the Tugela River has increased from 64.0% recorded last week to 96.7%, and Ntshingwayo, Zaaihoek, Spioenkop, and Craigie Burn dams remain unchanged at 77.9%, 90.6%, 100.2%, and 100.3%, respectively.
- Hazelmere Dam, which provides water to the province’s North Coast, is at 82.8%, up from last week’s 83.7%.
This is a significant improvement when compared to last year, during a similar period when the dam stood at 55.5%.
While most of KwaZulu-Natal’s storage capacity has recorded above-average percentages, the Department acknowledges that there are communities experiencing water shortages in the eThekwini Metro.
“As DWS, together with our entity, Umgeni-uThukela Water, we are working tirelessly and closely with the eThekwini Metro to find permanent solutions to the challenges,” said the departmental spokesperson, Wisane Mavasa.
Some of the measures being implemented include fast-tracking the rollout of bulk water infrastructure projects such as the raising of the Hazelmere Dam wall, which was completed last year and has since increased the amount of water that can be stored in the dam.
Another measure taken to enable the additional water stored in the dam to be treated is the successful completion of the upgrade of the Hazelmere Water Treatment Works from 55 to 75 megaliters per day by Umgeni-uThukela.
The entity will further increase the capacity of the treatment works to 90 megaliters per day within the next three years to ensure potable water security for the city.
Another project, as announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa in the State of the Nation Address (SONA) last week, is the uMkhomazi Water Project, which entails the construction of a new large dam on the uMkhomazi River, a 33-kilometer tunnel, and pipelines to supply additional water to eThekwini and surrounding municipalities across the province.
“As work continues in earnest in different parts of KwaZulu-Natal to ensure sustainable and reliable water supply, the Department calls on residents to refrain from vandalizing water infrastructure and fix and report water leaks to local authorities.”
Other dam levels in the province:
- Mearns: 101.8%
- Woodstock: 94.2%
- Wagendrift: 101.1%
- Pongolapoort: 81.4%
- Hluhluwe: 100.1%
- Goedertrouw: 99.9%
- Bivane: 101.3%
- Klipfontein: 100.8%
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