DWS urges wise water use as the Lowveld records mixed dam levels amidst strong El Niño
The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) urges communities to use water wisely as the Lowveld and Ehlanzeni District of the Mpumalanga Province records mixed dam levels, with the majority of listed dams recording declines in water levels amidst a strong El Niño.
The latest DWS weekly State of Reservoirs report released this week on 09 November 2026 shows that most of the listed dams in the Lowveld recorded declines, with a few recording slight improvements, and only two remaining unchanged in water levels.
According to the report, the dams that recorded declines include Driekoppies dropping from 99.3% to 98.9%, Kwena from 96.5% to 95.7%, Inyaka from 99.1% to 99.0%, Primkop from 96.0% to 92.7%, Longmere from 94.3% to 92.8%, and Ohrigstad from 81.8% to 80.0%.
On the upward trend, Witklip increased from 98.3% to 98.5%, Da Gama from 97.5% to 97.9%, and Klipkopjes from 99.4% to 99.8%.
Blyderivierpoort and Buffelskloof dams remained unchanged at 99.9% and 95.3% respectively.
The DWS report also shows that the average dam levels in the Mpumalanga Province remained unchanged from last week’s 96.8%. The Water Management Areas (WMAs) recorded mixed results with the Limpopo-Olifants WMA dropping from 97.2% to 96.6%, whilst the Inkomati-Usuthu WMA recorded an improvement from 96.3% to 96.8%.
The report also shows a mixed picture in the districts, with Ehlanzeni and Nkangala dropping and Gert Sibande recording and improvement in water levels. According to the report, Ehlanzeni dropped from 98.1% to 97.7% and Nkangala dropped from 96.6% to 95.7%, whereas Gert Sibande recorded an increase from 96.1% to 96.9%.
As a super El Niño has been predicted, the Department of Water and Sanitation calls and encourages communities and all other water users to use the available water wisely and sparingly and to avoid wastage as every drop counts. Let us make water conservation a priority and a habit in our lives.
Water has no substitute; therefore, residents are urged to be responsible water users and prevent wastage by fixing leaking taps and pipes and also prevent infrastructure vandalism to ensure sustainable water supply for the current and future generations.
For more information, contact
Wisane Mavasa
Spokesperson for the Department of Water and Sanitation
Tel: 060 561 8935
Themba Khoza
Tel: 066 301 6962
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