Integrated Vaal River System uptick nudges its levels closer to 100%
The Integrated Vaal River System (IVRS) looks set to notch the 100% mark as heavy downpours continue to fall throughout the country, with major dams within the system (IVRS) rapidly rising to full capacity.
Being the biggest of the systems in the country with 14 dams, the system (IVRS) now hovers just a few shades below the 90% at 89.4%. Last week, the system stood at 82.0% while at the same time last year it floated at 65.1%.
The system is so vitally important to Gauteng that its leading industries such as the Eskom and Sasol are heavily dependent on it for their water supply. The Free State, North West and Mpumalanga are also supplied by the system.
The good fortunes brought by the persistent heavy showers have impacted positively on the Vaal Dam, which is one of the critical dams in the system. For the first time in years, the dam sits at more than 100% capacity as it stands at 101.5%. This shows a profound leap upwards from 79.8% last week. During the comparative period last year, the dam was lower at 56.9%.
As more showers are forecast, the Vaal Dam and other dams in the system could increase to even higher levels.
Recording a slight increase this week, the Sterkfontein Dam which is a reserve located in the Free State, went up from 96.6% last week to 96.9% last week. The present levels of the dam are higher compared with the 92.0% at which it stood at the same week last year.
For the second consecutive week, the Grootdraai Dam is floating at 108.4%, recording a marked improvement from 100.9% last year at the same time.
The levels of the Bloemhof Dam climbed up this week after it was the only dam that saw a fall within the system last week. Presently, it is at 103.1% up from 102.0% last week. This week’s levels are considerably higher when compared with the 76.8% at which it stood in a similar week last year.
In Lesotho, the stressed Mohale Dam is continuing to show signs of life as it increases weekly despite remaining below the 50% mark. This week, the dam rose to 40.8% from 38.2% last week. During the same time week last year, it was at a concerning state at 12.8%.
The Katse Dam, which is also in Lesotho, continues to see an increase in levels weekly. The dam is opening a wide gap between the current levels of 68.6% and those of 30.0% at the same period last year. Last week, the dam stood at low 64.8%.
The Department of Water and Sanitation urges water consumers not to be lulled by the present heavy rainfalls into believing that there is now no need to use water sparingly in the coming weeks and months.
The Department encourages water users to be ever more vigilant now and not to lower their guard.
Of particular importance, the Department appeals to water users to take a shallow bath or switch to having a quick 90 seconds shower by opening and closing the tap between wetting, soaping and rinsing and to continuously monitor their meters for possible leakages.
Enquiries:
Sputnik Ratau
Cell: 082 874 2942
Hosia Sithole
Cell: 082 723 2442
