Water and Sanitation on fake news regarding water levels in Orange River system

The acting Provincial Head of the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) in the Northern Cape, Mr Kobus Streuders, says “the DWS is aware of fake news doing the rounds on social media regarding water levels in the Orange River system, in particular at the Upington Bridge and Keimoes area. Take note that the photographs and videos purported to be the current water levels are fake and were taken during the floods of 2011”. Streuders further explained that “the correct readings at the Upington gauging station is currently 3.465 metres and 4metres for Keimoes respectively.

Note: The National Department of Communication and Digital Technologies have published regulations to address the spread of fake news. Peddling fake news is an offense punishable by law and perpetrators could face possible jail time, a fine or both.

The Department of Water and Sanitations’ (DWS) Weekly State of Reservoirs Report issued on 11 January 2021 indicates that the Northern Cape’s average water storage level is at 98.9% with the Orange River at 87.1% and the Vaal at Douglas Weir 140.24% full - unverified data.

The Douglas Storage Weir in the Vaal River has a storage capacity of 16 245 million m3 and is currently at 21 730million million m3 or 133.8%. Boegoeberg Dam in the Orange River is at 22 650 million m3 or 109.9%, Spitskop Dam in the Harts River is at 61 684 million m3 or 106.7% and the Vaalharts Weir is at 75.6%. The Karee Dam is the only water storage dam in the Northern Cape and it is at 48.6% storage capacity.

The Northern Cape has balancing dams, not storage dams. The difference being that storage dams’ primary purpose is for long term water storage, while balancing dams are designed to act as multipurpose facilities by diverting water into canals, pipelines or act as pumping stations. Therefore, availability in the Northern Cape fluctuates and varies from week to week.

Enquiries:
Sputnik Ratau
Cell: 082 874 2942

Amogelang Moholoeng
Cell: 082 653 1682

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