Read: Water restrictions implemented in Ekurhuleni
“The average of dam levels show a steady decline, week on week,” says Sputnik Ratau, spokesman for the department.
The national storage continues to be under increasing stress as the dam levels continue to show a steady decline.
This is based on the latest dam levels assessment conducted in September by the Department of Water and Sanitation.
The levels are down by 0.5% to 51.4%.
According to the department, last year this time the dam levels were at 70.3%.
#WaterRestrictions implemented in #ekurhuleni #Springshttps://t.co/ZwCgMH0Ocr @SpringsJournOne @SpringsJournTwo pic.twitter.com/BRXHhBaCEf
— Springs Advertiser (@SpringsNews) September 13, 2016
The Vaal River System which consists of 14 dams and serves mainly Gauteng, Sasol and Eskom has had a further decrease of 0.6% to 51.8%.
The Vaal Dam decreased by 0.7% week on week to 30.9%
Grootdraai Dam is at 72.1% which sees a decrease of 0.8%.
“The department will manage the Vaal Dam down to 25% before releasing water from the Sterkfontein Dam,” says Ratau.
Orange River, which serves the Gariep Dam, is at 57.7% which is a decrease of 0.2%.
Restrictions of 20% for domestic use are in place.
Read: Community speaks on water restrictions
“The department will continue to monitor 211 dams on a weekly basis.”
All water users are encouraged to use water wisely as the seasonal outlook for rain is not looking promising.
Springs resident, Gert Coetzer, commented on the Springs Advertiser’s WhatsApp line saying:
“We installed two 50 litre tanks, one under the dish washing basin’s drain pipe and one under the bathroom basin’s drain pipe. This water we use for the garden and we are running the bath water onto our lawn. A few years ago we installed a 2 500 litre tank and a 500 litre tank for rain water these are now still about 25% full.”
Read here for tips to save water
