The Integrated Vaal River System (IVRS) declined slightly this week, however the system is in a stable position as some of the critical dams within it continue at firm levels.
Compared to last year at the same time when the system (IVRS) hovered at 57.1%, its present levels are higher at 80.6%. The present level of the system is marginally lower when judged against the 80.8% at which it stood last week.
Recording a decline week on week, the Vaal Dam moved from 79.7% to 78.5% this week. During the comparative period last year, it stood at 36.2%.
The Grootdraai Dam, which has been on the increase week-on-week, has seen a drop this week. It fell from last week’s 69.1% to 67.6% this week. Last year’s levels of 83.3% indicate that the dam is lower this year.
For the second successive week, the Sterkfontein Dam, which is a reserve dam for the IVRS is above the 100% mark. The dam presently stands at 100.5% while last year in the same week it was lesser at 94.8%. The Sterkfontein Dam is one of the critical dams in the system and it has held firm over the months.
The Bloemhof Dam recorded a slight decline from 93.1% to 92.0% this week but is still higher compared to the levels of 81.2% during the same week last year.
Mohale Dam continues to face serious distress as it remains under the neutral 50% mark. The level of the Mohale Dam saw a negligible decrease from 35.0% last week to 34.9% this week. During the same time last year, the dam stood at 3.8%, which shows that the dam had been on a consistent downward trend.
The Katse Dam is well on its way up as it rose from 67.7% last week to 68.9% this week. This is higher compared to the 24.3% it recorded at the same time last year.
The Department of Water and Sanitation is satisfied that the IVRS has been able to remain in a stable position. However, the Department warns water users in Gauteng that the stability of the system would be in jeopardy if all users do not take responsibility to use water with the utmost responsibility and caution.
For more information, contact Sputnik Ratau, Spokesperson for the Department of Water and Sanitation on 082 874 2942
