DWS appeals to all water users to use it wisely as dam levels continue to decline
The national water levels of South Africa’s 214 dams are steadily, but gradually dropping every week, and this is a cause for concern for all water users.
This week saw a drop of 0, 3% - from 71. 4% last week to 71, 1% this week as compared to 52, 7% full during the same period last year.
This downwards trend for the country’s reservoirs prompts the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) to urge all water users to use the resource with extra care.
The department pleads with everyone to use water sparingly and adhere to the water restrictions implemented by various municipalities as a form of Water Conservation and Water Demand Management.
Here are the Provincial levels: Compared to the previous week: Eastern Cape - (down by 0.1% to 57, 0%), Free State - (down by 0.1% to 83, 2%), Gauteng (down by 0.6% to 89, 7%), KwaZulu-Natal (down by 1, 1% to 56, 3%), Limpopo (down by 0, 06% to 77, 7%), Mpumalanga (down 0, 1% to 78, 0%), Northern Cape (steady at 92, 6%), North West (down by 0, 1% to 87, 4%), Western Cape - (slightly up by 0.8% to 23, 7%).
The Algoa System, serving 5 dams around the Nelson Mandela Bay, decreased by 0, 4% to 34, 7%. The system was at 73, 8% during the same time last year.
Amathole System with 6 dams serving Buffalo City decreased by 0, 1% to 65, 3%, last year was at 84, 4%.
The Bloemfontein System with 4 dams serving mainly Mangaung dropped by a point to 48, 8% compared with 33.9% the same time last year.
The Cape Town Dams System with 6 dams serving mainly City of Cape Town gained from 24, 3% to 24, 9%. The system was at 39, 6% at the same time last year.
The Crocodile West System with 6 dams serving mainly Tshwane, Madibeng and Rustenburg dropped by 0, 2% to 98, 1%. The system was recorded at 95, 5% during the same time last year.
The Vaal River System with 14 dams serving mainly Gauteng Sasol and Eskom has decreased by 0, 5% to 82, 4% compared with 56, 2% recorded during the same time last year.
The Umgeni Dam System with 5 dams serving mainly eThekwini and Mundus dropped from 62, 7% to 62, 1%. The system was at 50, 6% last year.
Most parts of the country are still recovering from the hard hitting drought which was experienced in the past two years. It is therefore important to for everyone to play a role in our water conservation efforts.
For more information contact:
Sputnik Ratau
Cell: 082 874 2942
