The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) encourages residents in the Mpumalanga Province to use water wisely and sparingly as water levels continue to drop in the province.
The latest DWS Weekly State of Reservoirs Report, released this week shows that the province's average dam levels marginally decreased from 98.7% to 98.5%. The Water Management Areas (WMAs) in the province also recorded declines in water levels, with the Limpopo-Olifants WMA dropping from 100.3% to 100.1%, and the Inkomati-Usuthu WMA dropping from 98.2% to 98.0%.
Water levels also dropped in all the three districts of the province, with Ehlanzeni which falls within the Inkomati WMA dropping from 100.2% to 100.1%, Gert Sibande from 96.7% to 96.6%, and Nkangala from 100.5% to 100.2%.
The Lowveld and Ehlanzeni District recorded mixed results with listed dams recording declines and some remaining unchanged, with only Inyaka Dam recording an improvement from 100.1% to 100.4%.
Dams which recorded unchanged water levels include Witklip at 100.3%, Longmere at 101.3%, Klipkopjes at 99.6%, and Da Gama at 100.3%.
Dams which recorded declines in water levels include Kwena Dam from 100.5% to 100.3%, Blyderivierpoort Dam dropping from 100.5% to 100.3%, Buffelskloof Dam from 100.5% to 100.3%, Driekoppies Dam from 100.3% to 100.2%, Primkop Dam from 101.3% to 101.1%, and Ohrigstad Dam from 92.8% to 92.2%.
The Gert Sibande District recorded mixed results, with some dams remaining unchanged in water levels and others recording declines. The dams which recorded unchanged water levels in the district include Grootdraai at 96.9%, Nooitgedacht at 99.5%, Morgenstond at 100.4%, and Heyshope at 100.1%.
On the decrease, Vygeboom Dam dropped from 100.5% to 99.5%, Jericho Dam from 92.8% to 92.6%, and Westoe Dam from 59.9% to 59.1%.
Meanwhile, the Nkangala District recorded a mixed picture, with Middelburg Dam being the only listed dam to record an increase, rising from 99.8% to 100.1%. Loskop Dam recorded a minimal decrease from 100.9% to 100.4%, while Witbank and Rhenosterkop dams remained unchanged at 99.3% and 100.4%, respectively.
DWS reminds water users that water has no substitute and every drop counts. While current dam levels remain healthy, even small changes reinforce the need for continued water conservation and responsible use. Households, businesses, farmers and institutions are encouraged to fix leaking taps and pipes, avoid unnecessary water wastage and report burst pipes and leaks to the relevant water services authorities.
Water conservation is a shared responsibility. By making simple water-saving actions part of everyday life, South Africans can help protect scarce water resources, strengthen water security and ensure a reliable supply for communities
Enquiries:
Wisane Mavasa,
Cell: 060 561 8935
Themba Khoza
Cell: 066 301 6962
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