Limpopo dam levels continue to decline, says Water and Sanitation Department
The province's average dam levels are at 65.7%, showing a decline compared to the same period when readings were last recorded at 73.4%.
POLOWKANE – The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is calling on water users to continue using water sparingly as dam levels continue to drop weekly.
The province’s average dam levels are at 65.7%, showing a decline compared to the same period when readings were last recorded at 73.4%.
You might also want to read: Muddy water and electricity issues to result in more water shortages for Polokwane
“The summary of the Water Management Area (WMA) for Limpopo reflects a decline compared to last year this time when water levels were 76.2% compared to the current 68.7%. The Olifants now stands at 63.5%, also showing a decline compared to last year’s 72.6%,” says DWS Media Liaison Director, Sputnik Ratau.
Polokwane’s Water Supply System is currently at 73.7%, showing a slight decline when compared to 94.5% last week. The Luvuvhu Water Supply Systems have also declined slightly, sitting at 97.8% from last week’s 98.0%. Nandoni Dam currently stands at 100.63% this week which brings relief to surrounding communities.
“Ebenezer Dam is at 66.14% this week, whilst Tzaneen Dam has declined to 17.24% from last week’s 17.48%. Mokolo Dam slightly decreased by 0.51% from 79.99% last week to 79.48% this week and De Hoop Dam went up from 91.76% last week to 93,71% this week with an increase of 1.95%,”
 Rautau said in a statement.
He added that although provincial storage is at a satisfactory percentage, the province should continue implementing water restrictions so that reliable water provision is sustained until the next summer rains.
“Water is a scarce resource and catalytic towards economic development and it must therefore be conserved at all times,” he said.
The Department’s Regional Head in Limpopo, Lesiba Tloubatla has appealed to residents of Limpopo to be careful around canals as they pose a danger to people’s lives
“People should not play around canals and river banks as it is dangerous and adults should not let children go near canals, dams or rivers without supervision as they might end up drowning. Statistics indicate that at least two children drown in South Africa daily while playing or swimming in canals and Limpopo seems to be one those provinces with the tragic incidents of children drowning,” Tloubatla concluded.
