We have water for a year

Witbank Dam levels are dropping at an alarming rate.
Last year this time the dam was at 85.017%, on Tuesday, November 10 it was 61.424% full.
In comparison with the previous two years, this level is much lower.

“This implies that our reserves are lower than normal and we will be depending on rains to bring levels up before the next winter period,” Mr Theo van Vuuren, Municipal Manager said.

Of concern is the predictions made by South African Weather Bureau that the metrological condition the country experience at present will only normalise during April next year.

“This means that it is past our normal rain season and could remain a below average rainfall season. This then may place us under pressure for the next winter period. Should no rain fall at all, at the current extraction levels we still have sufficient water for a year, which will take us into the next rainy season,” Van Vuuren said.

Residents living on the banks of Witbank Dam and the Olifants Rivers also blame South32 (former BHP Billiton) for the drop in water levels.
Enormous pumps on one of their opencast mines (former Wolvekrans Mine) on the Bethal/Kriel Road are spraying huge amounts of water up in the air.

Enormous pumps spraying water high up in the air can be seen from the Bethal/Kriel Road.

Rumours surfaced that the mine cracked one of the veins of the Olifants River, closest to the mine, while blasting in the past and that water from the Olifants River is flowing into the mines underground shafts.
Mr Patrick Wadula, spokesperson for South32, was given ample time to respond on questions about the allegations made. He however did not respond by the time going to press.

The question still floats, is South32 also partially responsible for the drop in dam levels?
With the low dam levels, water quality will come under siege.

“A bigger concern at this stage is that due to the low dam levels the water quality is unavoidable going to deteriorate which will necessitate more frequent back washing at the plant which means less purified water produced from the already over stressed plant. The suggested Package Plant would have relieved the stress on the over capacitated purification plant which at present constantly operate 10% above its design capacity. By early next year this relieve will be achieved,” said Van Vuuren.

Another wave in the turbid water is the annual requirement obligation Emalahleni have towards Loskop Dam. The municipality still need to release 4.5% of the dam to Loskop. They are holding back on this in anticipation of rain.
To the best of knowledge Middelburg Town Council obtained an abstraction permit from the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry to pump water from Witbank Dam, which was confirmed by SCIP Engineering who was involved in project.

This means Middelburg does not need permission from Emalahleni to abstract water from Witbank Dam. Middelburg does pay eMalahleni for electricity consumed at the dam but does not pay eMalahleni for the water abstracted.
Taking all of these factors in consideration water restriction was implemented by urging the community to use water sparingly.

“The time has come to impose more drastic water restrictions and stronger enforcement, as very few people are adhering to it at present,” Van Vuuren said.