KZN largest dam remains low despite recent rainfall
The Department of Water and Sanitation in KwaZulu-Natal has expressed concern over the decline of one of KZN’s largest dams, Albert- Falls. According to a weekly status of dam levels report issued by the Department this week, Albert- Falls dam is below average at 28.6% from last week’s 29.3%. This time last year, it stood at 32.6%.
According to the report, the province’s average storage capacity has however recorded a slight increase of 53.4% from 53.3% in the previous week.
The Department’s spokesperson Sputnik Ratau maintained that most of KZN’s dams have recorded fairly good levels in the current week as a result of the recent rainfall.
“We have noted that dams being supplied by the Umgeni Water Supply System are actually above average,” Ratau said.
These include the Midmar Dam is at 92.5%, Nagle Dam 75.8% and Inanda Dam at 83.0%. The dams recorded 92.4%, 72.8% and 82.2% in the previous week respectively.
The Hazelmere Dam has also slightly increased at 44.0% from last week’s 43.9%. When compared to a similar period last year, the dam recorded 45.7%.
Also above average are dams such as Craigie Burn (69.1%), Woodstock (83.5%) and Mearns (100.1%). Meanwhile, the Spioenkop Dam remains unchanged at last week’s 86.4%.
The Pongolapoort Dam has declined from 39.2% last week to 38.7% this week. The Goedertrouw Dam is at 52.8% and Klipfontein Dam at 41.4%. In the previous week, the dams were at 52.6% and 41.7% respectively.
The Department has since called on residents to use water sparingly as it continues to implement bulk water supply projects in various parts of the province.
For more information, contact Sputnik Ratau:
Spokesperson for the Department of Water and Sanitation
082 874 2942
