POLOKWANE – Limpopo dam levels have this week dropped to below 50% from 50.5 to 49.8%, says the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS). This situation compels water users to brace themselves for possible water restrictions to assist conservation.
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Of particular concern is Tzaneen Dam where water levels have dropped from 7,2% last week to 6,3% this week, says Spokesperson, Sputnik Ratau. “There are fears that unless it rains heavily in the next two weeks, the citrus industry might be severely affected,” he said.
Ratau added that the situation in Giyani is alarming too as its main source of water, the Middel-Letaba Dam, is virtually empty at 3,2%. However, the Construction Unit of the department is in the area to continue with the erection of a pipeline that will supply water from Nandoni Dam to Giyani.
The Polokwane Water Supply System dropped to 48% from 48,9% last week and the Luvuvhu Water Supply System is currently sitting at 83.8% this week.
A Ministerial National Rapid Response Task Team has identified several hotspots in Limpopo where intervention will be urgently implemented. These include Polokwane, Giyani, Capricorn, Modimolle, Bela-Bela and Thabazimbi.
On Monday, 21 October, the Minister of Human Settlement, Water and Sanitation, Lindiwe Sisulu, allayed fears of a looming national drought whilst imploring water users to conserve water.
Sisulu appealed to South Africans across the spectrum to do whatever was necessary to ensure that water was conserved. “There will not be a need for water shedding if water consumers adhered to calls to save water,” she said.
Ratau concluded his statement by saying the key to the sustainability of water availability and to avert the imposition of stringent water restrictions is the behavioural change and a change of attitude towards water use. “The department is encouraging water users in the province to continue using water sparingly to avoid water-shedding,” he said.
