Dam levels in KZN rise steadily, residents urged not to lower their guard and save water
KwaZulu-Natal dam levels continue to increase week-on-week as a result of the recent rainfall. This is according to a weekly dam levels issued by the Department of Water and Sanitation in KZN this week.
The Department’s spokesperson Sputnik Ratau said the province’s water storage capacity has increased by about 1.9% this week. This is from 69.2% recorded last week to 71.1% in the current week.
“The marginal increase seen week-on-week should not let water consumers let their guard down. There are some parts of the province which are still experiencing water scarcity challenges. It is for this very reason that we call on everyone to continue using water sparingly to ensure consistent supply for all,” said Ratau.
He added that much as water scarcity remains a concern for the Department, there was no need to be alarmed as the Umgeni Water Supply System which feeds five dams is doing incredibly well above average at 80.7% from last week’s 80.2%.
“The System is the lifeline for dams such as Midmar (100.2%), Nagle (87.1%), Inanda (101.5%) and Spring Grove (80.0%). When compared to this time last year, the System was at 65.7%,” he said.
Also within the Umgeni Water Supply System is Albert-Falls Dam which is slightly below average at 47.7% from 46.0%. This is one of the province’s largest dams which stood at 34.2% during a similar period last year.
Ratau said the Department is looking at innovative measures to help argument water scarcity concerns in different parts of the country. He said some of those measures, which were detailed by Minister Lindiwe Sisulu last week during the State of the Nation’s Address (SONA) debate in Parliament, included desalination and cloud harvesting to create a secure water mix reserve.
“What we are also doing as a Department is the exploration of ways in which we can use groundwater to argument water supply challenges,” said Ratau.
He said also the Department will not hesitate to deal harshly with those who continue to vandalise water infrastructure across the province. “Vandalism is a serious set-back to government work and it has to stop,” he said.
Ratau’s remarks follows Minister Sisulu’s appeal to Members of Parliament (MPs) to assist in the education of residents to safeguard water infrastructure. She said this during the SONA debate.
She said MPs must ensure that the message against infrastructure vandalism is communicated to communities.
“We regularly find that sewerage is running down our streets because someone has stolen or damaged an essential part of the waste water treatment plants. Responsible citizenship means looking after the assets that government installs to provide essential services," said Minister Sisulu.
Here’s a look at this week’s dam level status in some KwaZulu-Natal dams:
|
DAM |
STATUS LAST WEEK |
STATUS THIS WEEK |
|
Klipfontein |
103.6% |
100.8% |
|
Woodstock |
101.6% |
101.6% |
|
Spioenkop |
100.6% |
100.7% |
|
Hluhluwe |
102.4% |
101.8% |
|
Driel Barrage |
88.1% |
88.1% |
|
Zaaihoek |
73.1% |
80.7% |
|
Wagendrift |
102.3% |
101.3% |
|
Mearns |
100.9% |
100.0% |
|
Bivane |
102.2% |
101.8% |
|
Pongolapoort |
51.0% |
53.5% |
|
Goedertrouw |
67.6% |
71.1% |
|
Ntshingwayo |
86.1% |
88.0% |
Enquiries:
Sputnik Ratau
Cell: 082 874 2942
