Water crisis imminent

Witbank Dam is now only 52.2% full.
If this continues the dam will reach a low 29% in June.

“We are maintaining water restrictions,” said Mr Theo van Vuuren Municipal Manager.

The El Niño effect with its temperature increment in the ocean was responsible for the high temperatures experienced this summer. Coupled with low rainfall it spells disaster for Witbank Dam.
Emphasis is put on saving water, but it seems that the local municipality does not have enough hands to cover all the water leaks.

A concerned resident said a water leak close to Klarinet had been reported to the municipality on several occasions.

“Water had been leaking for the past two years and millions of litres of water are wasted. No one seems to be interested in fixing this leak.”

Residents living on the banks of the Olifants River also raised concerns about the water seen spraying up in the air at South32 SA Coal on the Bethal Road. Rumours had it that the mine cracked one of the water-veins and is using 16 pumps to extract water seeping into its underground workings.

“The clean water system of Witbank Dam is not linked to the water extracted from the underground workings of our mines. South32 SA Coal is continuously extracting polluted water from the underground workings of its mines to enable it to mine with care and safety. We do not draw any water from Witbank Dam in eMalahleni,” the mine group reacted.

A very dry summer with scorching hot temperatures and a very low rainfall season can be blamed amongst others for the alarmingly low dam level.

There is little water left in Witbank Dam. (Photo: Dr Rob Clark).

Because of the low dam levels Manganese levels are also a reason for concern. High Manganese levels are responsible for the bad smell and the brown colour of the water.
The municipality is keeping their eye on the situation and increased their inspections and where practises are followed by mines which result in high concentration of Manganese being washed into the river, they will act with the Department of Water Affairs.

Less than 30km away, the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality has just been congratulated by the Department of Water and Sanitation for their efforts in ensuring that the communities enjoy quality drinking water. The municipality has retained its Blue Drop status.

Witbank Dam is the biggest municipal dam in the Southern Hemisphere and also the main source of water for the municipal area. On a daily basis up to 100 mega litres (ML) of water is purified from the dam. The municipality further receives 10ML per day being purified at Ga-Nala via the Usustu water scheme and 2ML at Rietspruit.
Wilge is supplied by Eskom at 4ML per day. Witbank Dam serves eMalahleni as well as the western suburbs, Ogies, Clewer and Phola. This supply is supplemented with water sought from Anglo at an average of 16ML per day.
The Olifants River source is near Hendrina and when it rains in Secunda or Standerton that water flows into the Vaal River system.

It is nearly the end of summer and March signals the beginning of autumn. There is a strong possibility that there will be no rain for six months.