The latest Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) weekly state of reservoirs report of 18 December 2023 shows that the Mpumalanga Province recorded a slight improvement in water levels on average on the listed dams and water management areas over the past week. This can be attributed to the recent rains falling on most parts of the country.
According to the latest report, the Mpumalanga Province recorded a slight 1.1% increase on average dam levels, increasing from 90.4% to 91.5%. In the Water Management Areas (WMA), the Olifants recorded a 0.4% improvement, increasing from 82.8% to 83.2%, and the Inkomati-Usuthu increased by 1.2% from 91.6% to 92.8%.
Water levels also increased according to the districts with Ehlanzeni increasing from 90.4% to 92.3%, Gert Sibande from 87.8% to 88.6%, and Nkangala from 94.8% to 95.4%.
Most of the listed dams in Ehlanzeni District and the Lowveld recorded improvements in water levels with the exception of Longmere and Ohrigstad dams which recorded declines from 96.9% to 94.5% and 49.7% to 49.0% respectively.
On the improvement side, Blyderivierpoort Dam increased from 84.1% to 91.8%, Buffelskloof from 84.1% to 89.9%, Driekoppies from 96.4% to 97.3%, Klipkopjes from 94.7% to 98.6%, Witklip from 100.4% to 100.6%, Primkop from 100.4% to 100.6%, Kwena from 80.8% to 82.0%, Da Gama from 94.6% to 96.5% and Inyaka from 95.6% to 98.0%.
Grootdraai Dam is the only listed dam that remained unchanged in the Gert Sibande District recording the same 79.6% as last week. Jericho and Morgenstond dams are the only listed dams that recorded declines in the district, recording decreased from 78.9% to 78.4% and 95.1% to 94.7% respectively.
Improving in water levels in Gert Sibande District, Nooitgedacht increased from 82.5% to 88.6%, Vygeboom from 100.7% to 102.5%, Westoe from 37.6% to 39.8% and Hesyhope from 99.2% to 99.8%.
Most of the listed dams in the Nkangala District recorded improvements in water levels with only Rhenosterkop / Mkhombo Dam remaining unchanged at 95.0%.
On the positive and improving in water levels, Witbank Dam increased from 95.8% to 96.0%, Middelburg Dam from 90.2% to 91.6% and Loskop Dam from 95.1% to 95.9%.
The DWS weekly report also shows that even though the Mpumalanga Province recorded some improvement in water levels in the listed dams and water management areas, the water levels are lower than the same period last year.
The Department of Water and Sanitation therefore encourages the public to be responsible water users and use the available water in a wise, sparing and conservative manner at all times. The Department further reminds the public that South Africa is a water scarce country and water has no substitute, therefore it is important to make every drop count.
For more information:
Andile Tshona
Acting Spokesperson for the Department of Water and Sanitation
Cell: 073 566 3345
Themba Khoza
Cell: 066 301 6962
