Water and Sanitation urges KwaZulu-Natal residents to use water sparingly 

The showers that have engulfed KwaZulu-Natal in the past week have made a significant increase in the dam levels in the province.

The provinces levels have jumped 78,5% this week from last week’s 74,9%. 

This was shown in a weekly report on the state of reservoirs in the country issued by the Department of Water and Sanitation this week.

The department’s spokesperson, Sputnik Ratau says although the rain has been good for dam levels, the damage to human life and the displacing of families is unfortunate.

“We would like to offer our sincere condolences to the families of the 24 people who lost their lives,” Ratau said.

Moving to the state of the dams, Ratau said most of the dams had shown significant increases, with many reaching the 100% mark.

“Mearns (115,5%), Spioenkop (102,2%) and Midmar (101,1%) are just some of the dams that reached full capacity.  Woodstock almost made it to full capacity, landing at 96,1% a huge jump from last week’s 92,4%

“Albert-Falls also showed a significant increase, moving up from 57,2% to 97,5%,” explained Ratau.

Zaaihoek Dam and Bivane Dam are the only two dams to remain unchanged, remaining at 75,4% and 72,9% respectively. 

Nagle dam now stands at 97,5% from 100,2% last week, joined by Hluhluwe at 76,1% a marginal decrease from 76,7%.

Ratau reiterated the department’s commitment to fast-track bulk water projects to ensure water security and called on residents to continue using water sparingly. 

“We wish to continue reminding South Africans that, although we have been having heavy rains, it is still important to continue to conserve water.

“South Africa is still a semi-arid country and so every drop is important,” concluded Ratau. 

SOME DAM LEVELS

For more information, contact:
Sputnik Ratau
Spokesperson for the Department of Water and Sanitation
Cell: 082 874 2942