Vaal and Bloemhof dams record rapid increases in levels
The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) state of reservoirs latest report of 10 February 2021, shows that the Vaal and the Bloemhof dams have recorded further increases in their levels in just two days.
Just on Monday this week, the Vaal Dam was sitting at 101.5% but it has since increased to well over the 100% mark to 103.5% this afternoon, 10 Wednesday 2021. During the comparative period last year, the dam was lower at 56.9%.
Meanwhile, the Bloemhof Dam also increased from Monday’s levels of 103.1% to 110.0% presently.
Both the Vaal and Bloemhof dams are integral parts of the 14 dams that form the Integrated Vaal River System (IVRS). The system (IVRS) is critical for supplying water to key industries in Gauteng, including the Eskom and Sasol and households.
DWS’s Spokesperson, Sputnik Ratau, has attributed the rapid increase in the levels of the dams to the downpours, which still persists to fall in many parts of the country.
“The weather forecasters predict that the wet conditions will continue and this bodes well for our dams. Even those dams that have been in distress for a longest of time, such as the Mohale and Katse, are now beginning to be replenished,” said Ratau.
However, he cautioned against communities being slack when it came to using water with care, given that South Africa is a semi-arid country.
Ratau further advised the public to be vigilant during this rainy period, stressing that precautions should be heightened as the dams were filling up quickly and even spilling over.
He said: “There is a likelihood of damage to property and loss of life because of the floods that we continue to see in some parts of the country. We therefore urge communities to be extra careful during this time to avoid loss of lives and property.”
Enquiries:
Sputnik Ratau
Cell: 082 874 2942
Hosia Sithole
Cell: 082 723 2442
