IVRS holds firm despite a fall this week
The Integrated Vaal River System (IVRS) has this week slightly declined after recording a steady increase week-on-week as it defied the alarm bells in the face of falling levels a few months back.
According to the Department of Water and Sanitation’s weekly state of the reservoirs report, after an unprecedented period of increase, the system (IVRS) currently sits at 91.9%, less from 92.1% last week. During the same week last year, the system was well above the 50% at 65.9%.
With a total of 14 dams, including Vaal Dam, the levels of the system had been boosted by the heavy rainfalls that fell on the catchment areas. The Vaal Dam is a critical dam within the system and supplies water to Gauteng and country’s premier industries such as Eskom and Sasol.
Still far stronger than it was at the same time last year, the levels of the Vaal Dam are now at 104.9%, down from 105.2% last week. This is, however, considerably higher compared to the same week last year when it stood at 54.8%.
A dam that is expected to remain in a sustained position for the foreseeable future, the Grootdraai Dam also saw a trivial drop this week. It went down from 101.5% last week to 100.2% this week. The dam was equally stronger at 96.7% in the comparative week last year.
Conversely, the Sterkfontein Dam is presently a shade high than last week. The dam climbed up from 97.6% last week to 97.7% this week, after having been hovering at a similarly firm position of 92.9% during the same period last year.
The levels of the Bloemhof Dam have, likewise, risen this week. The dam surged up from 103.3% last week to further impressive levels of 103.7%. In the comparative period during the same time, the dam was floating at 83.6%
Despite dropping slightly from last week, the Lesotho’s Katse Dam is floating at level that have not been seen in as many months. It has over the months seen a remarkable rise from a mere 33.8% at this time last year to 78.2% presently. Last week, the dam stood marginally lesser at 78.5%.
The present outlook of the Mohale Dam still remains gloomy. However, this is much improved than last year’s state. Now floating at 40.4%, which is higher than last week’s 41.0%, the dam has soared from the miserable levels of 12.7% in the comparative period last year.
The healthy state of the other dams within the system explains why it (system) remains in a sound and positive position. These dam levels stand as follows:
- Woodstock - 95.7%
- Zaaihoek - 82.1%
- Jericho - 89.5%
- Westoe – 98.2%
- Vygeboom – 100.5%
- Morgenstond – 85.9%
- Heyshope – 65.5%
- Nooitgedacht – 99.7%
The Department of Water and Sanitation wishes to reiterate that even though the system is in a stable position, it is now an opportune time to encourage water consumers to use water with caution. This will help to ensure the vision of access to water by everyone in the public becomes a reality.
The Department therefore appeals to water consumers to, for instance, only do the washing when they have enough items for a full load for the washing machine. Furthermore, consumers are asked to adhere to other water saving tips provided by their municipalities.
Enquiries:
Sputnik Ratau
Cell: 082 874 2942
Hosia Sithole
Cell: 082 723 2442
