DWS wary despite significant increase in levels of the IVRS
The recent heavy showers in some of the provinces in the country, including Gauteng, have replenished major dams, with the Integrated Vaal River System (IVRS) raising its levels to a much healthier state not seen in months.
Last week the IVRS edged up to 67.7% from 67.2% the week before. Thanks to the recent rainfalls, the dam has once again notched up significantly to 74.6% this week. During the comparative period last year, the IVRS stood at 89.6%.
The Vaal Dam, one of the strategically important dams in the system, has also shown an increase this week. The dam moved from 68.5% last week to 73.5% this week, showing that the downpours over the past few days have had a positive impact.
However, the same cannot be said for the Grootdraai dam, which fell this week. The Grootdraai shrunk slightly to 80.1% from 80.5% last week. Despite being lower compared to last year at the same period when it stood at 100.0%, the dam currently remains at satisfactory level.
With a slight move up, the Sterkfontein Dam is currently hovering at a good state with recorded levels of 93.5%, up from last week’s 93.4%. To date, the Sterkfontein Dam has been remarkably stable. Last year at the same time it almost reached the 100% mark as it resiliently stood at 96.1%.
Both the Katse and Mohale dams have increased this week. These two dams have been in a poor health for an extended period and sliding deeper into a critically lower into a concerning state.
The Katse Dam has increased this week, rising from 32.6% last week to 36.6% this week while last year at the same time it recorded 66.9%.
Similarly moving up, the Mohale Dam recorded an increase which saw it recording an upsurge from 26.6% last week to 31.9% last year. In the comparative period last year the dam was at 36.5%
As the public in Gauteng breath a collective sigh of relief as a result of the rising dam levels, the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) in Gauteng is urging them to use water sparingly. The replenishing of dams in the IVRS must be an opportunity to save as much as possible as the country is headed into the dry winter season.
The Department is reiterating that conserving water now will positively contribute to the supply of water during the winter season without having to resort to stringent measures to limit water consumption.
Enquiries:
Sputnik Ratau
Cell: 082 874 2942
Hosia Sithole
Cell: 082 723 2442
