Levels of the Vaal Dam lower than last year at same time
The Vaal Dam has this week plunged to even lower levels and thereby widening the gap further compared to its recorded levels at the same time in the preceding year.
Presently, the dam is hovering at 55.1%, down from 55.8% last week. During the same period last year, the dam was floating at an impressive 70.3%. The drop indicates that the dam has been on a steady decline for a number of months.
The Vaal Dam is part of 14 dams forming part of the Integrated Vaal River System (IVRS) and is responsible for providing water to petro-chemical giant Sasol and the Electricity generating company Eskom.
The IVRS has itself dropped slightly from last week’s 66.4% to the present 66.3%. These levels do not differ much from the 68.0% the dam recorded in the previous year at the same time.
Holding on to its last week’s levels, the Grootdraai Dam remained unmoved this week. The dam sits at the 99.0% it recorded last week. The current levels are however lower compared to last year at the same when it recorded a steady 83.9%.
Similarly unchanged from its last week’s levels is the Sterkfontein Dam, which is hovering at 92.7% this week. In the same week in the preceding year it was at 93.9%.
Both the Katse and Mohale dams continue to float at concerning levels this week.
Despite recording an upsurge, the Katse Dam presently stands at 34.0%, up from 33.8% last week while at the same week last year it was at 35.2%.
The Mohale Dam dropped this week, falling from 13.4% to 13.0% this week. From being at 20.2% last year during the same time, the dam is certainly shrinking to dire levels.
Given that most of the dams are either dropping or remain stagnant, the Department of Water and Sanitation in Gauteng calls on water users in the province to use water sparingly as we move towards to the dry winter season. Being alert and cautious not to use water excessively will play a key role in ensuring that the province does not find itself in a calamitous situation in the next coming months.
For more information:
Sputnik Ratau
082 874 2942 or
Hosia Sithole
082 723 2442.
For media releases, speeches and news visit the Water & Sanitation portal at www.dwa.gov.za
