Vaal Dam records rise after weeks of consistent decline
The levels of the Vaal Dam have significantly shot up this week, edging closer to the neutral 50% mark following weeks of decline.
Week-on-week the levels of the dam have been dropping to such an extent that last week it hovered at a low of 39.2%. Presently the dam sits at 46.1%, levels which are far low compared to last year in the same week when it stood at 76.2%.
One of the 14 dams that form part of the Integrated Vaal River System (IVRS), the Vaal Dam is the life blood of the economic hub of Gauteng. The country’s foremost industries such as the electricity generation giant Eskom and the petro-chemical Sasol rely on the dam for water supply.
Breaking the 100% mark this week, the Grootdraai Dam rose to 105.1%, recording a rise from last week’s 75.3%. The current levels represent a sharp rise from 74.1% at the same time last year.
The Bloemfohof Dam also saw an increase this week, moving up from 66.2% last week to 71.6% this week. During the same week last year the dam floated at 67.8%.
Slightly up from last week, the Katse Dam is currently sitting at 20.5%, increaisng from 19.3% last week. The dam has been floating below the 50% mark as shown by the levels of the same time last year when it hovered at 43.1%.
The Sterkfontein Dam has not changed from last week’s levels and is currently at 91.2%. However, the present the levels of the dam are marginally lower when compared to the 94.2% it recorded last year in the same week.
Ever shrinking to concerning levels, the Mohale Dam has edged down to 18.7%, moving from last week’s 19.3%. Last year at the same time it was at 17.1%.
The collective upsurge in the dams has had a positive impact on the levels of the IVRS as shown by its rise from 56.6% last week to 60.2% this week. This indicates that the system is relatively in a good state despite it being lower compared to the 70.8% it recorded in the same period last year.
The Department of Water and Sanitation appeals to water consumers to continue to use water sparingly. This will ensure that the levels of the system are able to carry on being stable. Excessive use of water could spell a dire situation for water users given the erratic weather patterns that the country is facing.
Enquiries:
Sputnik Ratau
Cell: 082 874 2942
Hosia Sithole
Cell: 082 723 2442
