Gauteng, including Roodepoort and surrounding areas, has been on the receiving end of some welcome rain showers recently.
According to the Department of Water and Sanitation, the recent storms have contributed to a slight rise in dam levels, despite leaving a trail of destruction in their wake and claiming the lives of several people.
The spokesperson for the Department of Water and Sanitation, Sputnik Ratau said that some of the downpours occurred in a number of vital catchment areas.
In an attempt to stave off a full-blown water crisis when the Vaal Dam reached critically low levels recently, water was released from the Sterkfontein Dam – which is being used as a reserve storage dam – to replenish it.
On 21 November, the Vaal Dam’s level was at 33,3 per cent, with Grootdraai on 74,6 per cent, Sterkfontein on 90 per cent and Bloemhof on 19,3 per cent.
Ratau confirmed that some of the released water has already reached the Vaal Dam. “This, coupled with water restrictions and some residents saving water, also assisted in the slight rise of the water level,” he said.
But, despite all of this, Ratau reminded residents that Level 2 restrictions will remain in place in the City of Johannesburg. Everyone is urged to heed the call to save water and use it responsibly, as the drought is not over yet.
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