The latest DWS weekly State of Reservoirs report shows that dam levels continue to decline across Mpumalanga, with all but three dams recording decreases over the past week. The three dams that recorded no change are located in the Lowveld region of the Ehlanzeni District.
As water levels continue to drop and with the Super El Nino upon us, the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) emphasizes the importance of water conservation and urges communities to use the available water wisely and sparingly.
According to the DWS weekly report, the average dam levels in the Province dropped from last week’s 98.7% to 98.3%. The Water Management Areas (WMA) also recorded declines, with the Limpopo-Olifants WMA dropping from 99.8% to 99.1%, and the Inkomati-Usuthu WMA dropping from 97.8% to 97.5%.
Water levels also dropped in the districts, with Ehlanzeni dropping from 99.9% to 99.6%, Gert Sibande from 97.5% to 97.2%, and Nkangala from 99.6% to 99.0%.
The report shows that water levels decreased in most listed dams in the Lowveld and Ehlanzeni District of the Mpumalanga Province with the exception of Longemere, Klipkopjes, and Primkop dams which remained unchanged at 101.6%, 100.4%, and 101.7% respectively.
The listed dams that recorded declines in water levels include Kwena Dam from 99.8% to 99.2%, Witklip Dam from 100.4% to 100.3%, Da Gama Dam from 99.8% to 99.3%, Driekoppies Dam from 100.4% to 100.2%, Inyaka Dam from 100.1% to 99.7%, Blyderivierpoort Dam from 100.2% to 100.1%, Buffelskloof Dam from 100.3% to 100.2%, and Ohrigstad Dam from 88.6% to 87.5%.
All the listed dams in Gert Sibande District recorded decreases in water levels with Grootdraai Dam dropping from 100.6% to 100.4%, Nooitgedacht Dam from 99.2% to 98.6%, Vygeboom Dam from 100.4% to 100.3%, Jericho from 91.7% to 90.5%, Westoe from 52.5% to 51.9%, Morgenstond from 100.3% to 99.9%, andHeyshope from 100.4% to 100.3%.
The report further indicates a decline in dam levels across the Nkangala District, with all listed dams recording decreases. Witbank Dam declined from 99.2% to 98.4%, Middelburg Dam from 94.6% to 94.2%, Loskop Dam from 100.2% to 99.5%, and Rhenosterkop/Mkhombo Dam from 100.0% to 99.5%.
The Department of Water and Sanitation therefore calls on the public to strengthen water conservation efforts and prevent water wastage. The Department encourages communities to use water wisely and prevent wastage by fixing leaking taps and pipes and to report leaks in the bulk pipelines and infrastructure vandalism to the relevant institutions and authorities
DWS further reminds all water users that South Africa is a water-scarce country, which calls for responsible and efficient water use as every drop counts as water has no substitute.
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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