The Vaal Dam level is currently at 62.1 per cent for the first time in 15 months. But water restrictions in Joburg will remain.
Photos: Willem Kruger. These pics were taken recently at the Vaaldam, near the dam wall. A real good downpour came soon afterwards.@eNuus pic.twitter.com/gnqzeuih01
— ReenvalSA (@ReenvalSA) January 11, 2017
The City of Joburg’s Environment and Infrastructure Services Member of the Mayoral Committee, Anthony Still, said the decision to lift the water restrictions would have to come from the Department of Water and Sanitation and not from the City.
“I believe that if we continue getting good rains, we should have the restrictions lifted in six months.”
Mood after learning that 💧 VAAL DAM is currently at 61,15% for the first time in 15 months!! #SaveWater @tWeatherSA ^PS pic.twitter.com/f2u51YinC6
— City of Joburg (@CityofJoburgZA) January 17, 2017
He said the City had realised that Rand Water’s 15 per cent cut in supply had inconvenienced Joburg residents. “I’d like to commend residents for doing their bit to save water. We started off with a saving of about 5 per cent, but then went down to 1 per cent. We’re now at 10 per cent, so residents are indeed taking this matter seriously. We need to get to 15 per cent, and I think we will get there.”
Ward 98 councillor, Beverley Weweje said, “This, however, does not mean that level 2 water restrictions have been lifted.”
The water restrictions would be reviewed in May, but residents must continue to use water sparingly.
Level 2 water restrictions, which have been in place since 15 November last year, call on consumers not to water or irrigate their gardens between 6am and 6pm. “Only handheld hosepipes, buckets or watering cans are allowed outside these hours. Residents have been urged not to fill their swimming pools with municipal water and not to use hosepipes to wash their cars or clean paved areas and driveways with hosepipes,” the City said.
Photos tweeted by the Department of Water and Sanitation on 11 January show areas that were previously completely dry with spots of water, showing the significant increase in the dam’s water level.
Stay informed on the status of our water resources. We publish weekly updates on water levels on our website. https://t.co/cnxsbb4gDH pic.twitter.com/9Qn8B2UbdT
— Water&SanitationRSA (@DWS_RSA) January 17, 2017
Details: www.joburg.org.za
