The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is reminding residents that South Africa remains a water-scarce country and that every effort to save water matters. While dam levels across Mpumalanga remain healthy, recent figures show a slight decline, highlighting the continued importance of using water wisely and responsibly.
According to the latest DWS Weekly State of Reservoirs Report, released earlier this week, the province's average dam levels decreased marginally from 100.0% to 99.9%. The two Water Management Areas (WMAs) in the province recorded mixed results, with the Limpopo-Olifants WMA remaining stable at 101.5%, while the Inkomati-Usuthu WMA dropped slightly from 99.7% to 99.5
All three districts in Mpumalanga recorded minor decreases in water levels. Ehlanzeni District declined from 100.7% to 100.6%, Gert Sibande from 99.3% to 99.1%, and Nkangala from 100.6% to 100.5%.
In the Lowveld and Ehlanzeni District, most dams recorded slight declines, while a few remained unchanged. Klipkopjes Dam remained at 100.2%, Witklip Dam at 100.6%, and Ohrigstad Dam at 100.1%.
Other dams in the district showed small decreases, including Blyderivierpoort Dam, which dropped from 101.0% to 100.9%; Buffelskloof Dam from 100.6% to 100.5%; Driekoppies Dam from 100.8% to 100.7%; Longmere Dam from 101.6% to 101.3%; Primkop Dam from 101.5% to 101.3%; Kwena Dam from 100.8% to 100.7%; Da Gama Dam from 100.8% to 100.3%; and Inyaka Dam from 100.2% to 100.1%.
Gert Sibande District presented a mixed picture. Nooitgedacht Dam recorded an encouraging increase from 99.9% to 100.3%, while Norgenstond Dam remained unchanged at 99.6%. The remaining listed dams showed declines, including Grootdraai Dam, which dropped from 100.0% to 99.9%; Vygeboom Dam from 100.6% to 100.5%; Jericho Dam from 98.7% to 98.0%; Westoe Dam from 77.4% to 75.7%; and Heyshope Dam from 101.4% to 101.2%.
Nkangala District also recorded mixed results. Witbank Dam and Rhenosterkop Dam remained steady at 99.4% and 101.1% respectively, while Middelburg Dam increased slightly from 97.4% to 97.7%. Loskop Dam, however, declined marginally from 101.0% to 100.9%.
Although current dam levels remain favourable, DWS emphasises that water security cannot be taken for granted. Small changes in water levels serve as an important reminder that water is a precious resource that must be protected and used responsibly.
Every drop of water saved today helps secure supplies for households, businesses, agriculture and future generations. Simple actions such as fixing leaking taps, using water sparingly, and reporting burst pipes can collectively make a significant difference.
The Department also calls on communities to play their part in protecting water infrastructure from vandalism and theft. Damage to infrastructure often results in water losses, service interruptions and unnecessary costs that ultimately affect communities.
By working together and making water conservation part of our daily lives, we can help ensure a reliable and sustainable water supply for all South Africans, now and into the future.
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Issued by the Department of Water & Sanitation
For more information, contact Wisane Mavasa, Spokesperson for the Department of Water and Sanitation, on 060 561 8935 or Themba Khoza on 066 301 6962
For media releases, speeches, and news, visit the Water & Sanitation portal at: www.dws.gov.za
