DWS encourages intensified water conservation as Mpumalanga dam levels show a marginal decrease
The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is urging residents of Mpumalanga to intensify their water conservation efforts following a marginal decline in dam levels, which have decreased from 100.2% to 100.0%.
According to the latest DWS weekly state of reservoirs report issued earlier this week, the province’s Water Management Areas have also seen slight drops, with the Limpopo-Olifants WMA falling from 95.2% to 94.9%, and the Inkomati-Usuthu WMA dipping from 99.5% to 99.4%.
The report also shows that water levels continue to drop at district levels with Ehlanzeni dropping from 97.8% to 97.7%, Gert Sibande from 101.0% to 100.8%, and Nkangala from 101.1% to 100.8%.
In the Lowveld and Ehlanzeni District, most dams recorded decreases in capacity. Blyderivierpoort Dam fell slightly from 100.3% to 100.2%, Buffelskloof Dam from 100.5% to 100.3%, Driekoppies Dam from 95.1% to 95.0%, Longmere Dam from 101.1% to 100.9%, Primkop Dam from 101.3% to 100.6%, Kwena Dam from 100.6% to 100.5%, and Inyaka Dam from 99.6% to 99.5%. Only Klipkopjes, Witklip, and Da Gama dams remained stable at 100.0%, 100.3%, and 100.3% respectively.
Gert Sibande District presented a mixed picture. Morgenstond Dam was the only one to show improvement, rising from 99.8% to 100.3%. Nooitgedacht and Jericho dams remained steady at 100.6% and 102.1%. However, several other dams recorded decreases: Grootdraai dropped from 102.1% to 101.6%, Vygeboom from 99.1% to 98.5%, Westoe from 99.3% to 98.4%, and Heyshope from 100.9% to 100.8%.
Nkangala District also reported mixed results. Witbank and Middelburg dams improved from 100.7% to 101.3% and from 97.8% to 98.0%, respectively, while Rust De Winter Dam held steady at 101.4%. Loskop and Rhenosterkop dams saw slight declines, moving from 101.3% to 100.9% and from 101.6% to 100.9%.
While the current figures may still seem acceptable, the Department warns that complacency is not an option. South Africa is a water-scarce country, and even marginal declines signal a need for immediate action. Citizens are urged to embrace water-saving habits, remain vigilant in protecting water infrastructure, and report any instances of theft or vandalism.
Enquiries:
Wisane Mavasa
Spokesperson for the Department of Water and Sanitation
Cell: 060 561 8935
Themba Khoza
Cell: 066 301 6962
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