211 dams continue to be monitored on a weekly basis
The Department of Water and Sanitation has indicated that on the national average, currently 13 dams are below 10%, 58 dams are below 40% and 29 dams are above 100%. Our national storage situation is still remains a great cause for concern. Generally we need to continue to intensify the enforcement of restrictions during winter to prevent a spike in usage during early spring.
It is also to worrying that levels at dams such as Ngotwane, Lindleyspoort and Swartruggens continue to decrease and are now less than 10%. This is of great concern in the North West Province especially since these dams are in arid areas such as Mamusa Local Municipality in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati and Kgetleng River.
The seasonal outlook for the period August to October in this summer rainfall region is expected to be below normal. In the lead up to Christmas large parts of the country may experience significantly higher than normal rainfall. While current observations indicate a neutral ENSO most climate prediction models indicate a tendency towards a moderate (weak) La Niña development through the spring to summer, with the possibility of neutral conditions still likely.
There is still uncertainty with regard to the outlook for the rest of South Africa.
The Crocodile West System, with 6 dams serving mainly Tshwane, Madibeng and Rustenburg showed a slight decrease of 0.4% to 95.3%
The Department of Water and Sanitation has encouraged industries to implement water saving measures and the water usage has thus significantly improved.
The Vaal River System has 14 dams serving mainly Gauteng, Sasol and Eskom. It has decreased by 0.2% to 54.6%. The system was at 76.2% last year. Katse Dam now stands at 48.7%, a decrease of 1.1% from the previous week.
The Vaal Dam decreased to 35.2%, a decrease of 0.4% week on week. The Sterkfontein Dam remains steady at 89.5% and the Grootdraai Dam decreased by 0.3% and is now at 79.3%. Restrictions for the Vaal River System were due to be published in the gazette on 12 August.
On the Orange River, the Gariep Dam is at 53.1%, an increase of 3.6% and Van Der Kloof Dam at 67.6% showed a decrease of 0.1% There is still a slight upward trend as a result of the recent rains and snowfalls in the WC, EC, FS and KZN.
Our national storage situation is still of great concern. Generally we need to continue to intensify the enforcement of restrictions during these last weeks of winter to prevent a spike in usage during early spring.
An increased level of communication should take place in Gauteng in particular over the next three weeks given the very late publication of the notice. Restrictions should have been implemented when the Vaal system reached 60%. It is now at 54.6%.
For more information contact:
Sputnik Ratau
Cell: 082 874 2942
