A weekly dam levels report issued by the Department of Water and Sanitation this week has shown yet another increase in the province’s dam levels while the water supply system breaches the 80% mark.
According to the Department’s Spokesperson Sputnik Ratau, dam levels recorded last week stood at 71.8% to 72.1% in the current week. Meanwhile, the Umgeni Water Supply System has increased from 82.0% to 82.8%.
“When compared to a similar period last year, you will note that water levels were slightly lower at 60.8%. The Umgeni Water Supply System was also comparatively lower at 67.8%,” Ratau said.
Nagle Dam is up at 87.4% from last week’s 86.9%. Inanda Dam is at 101.2% from 101.1%. Meanwhile Midmar (100.5%) and Hazelmere (53.6%) Dams have declined this week. Last week, the dams recorded 100.8% and 54.4% respectively.
Spring Grove Dam is at 84.6% from last week’s 82.8%. Also on a downward spiral are the Ntshingwayo (87.2%), Driel Barrage (95.0%) and Mearns (97.4%) Dams. They respectively recorded 87.5%, 101.6% and 101.1% last week.
Ratau said the decrease is attributed to the rise in temperatures experienced in some parts of the province.
“What we are experiencing are extremely unpredictable weather patterns. After the heavy rains due to Tropical Cyclone Eloise, we are now confronted with soaring temperatures. Hence you will see this kind of trend of water levels,” he said.
Ratau further called on residents to use every opportunity to use water prudently as the winter season approaches.
“We would like to urge water users to handle with care the water that is presently available to them. The winter season is almost here and given the unpredictable weather patterns, we must brace ourselves for anything. We are anticipating that it can be a very dry season,” said Ratau.
Here’s a look at this week’s dam level status in some KwaZulu-Natal dams:
|
Dam |
Status last week |
Status this week |
|
Klipfontein |
100.7% |
100.3 % |
|
Woodstock |
97.2 % |
95.7 % |
|
Spioenkop |
100.6 % |
100.3% |
|
Hluhluwe |
101.0 % |
100.1% |
|
Zaaihoek |
82.2% |
82.5% |
|
Wagendrift |
102.1 % |
101.8 % |
|
Bivane |
101.5 % |
101.0 % |
|
Pongolapoort |
54.8 % |
55.4 % |
|
Goedertrouw |
73.5 % |
74.2 % |
|
Albert-Falls |
50.1% |
52.0% |
For more information contact:
Sputnik Ratau
Spokesperson for the Department of Water and Sanitation
Cell: 082 874 2942
