Dams in the IVRS bolster an increase in the levels of the system
The rise in the levels of dams within the Integrated Vaal River System (IVRS) are continuing to impact positively on the overall levels of the system as it persists to increase from last year at the same period.
As the biggest system in the country, the IVRS consists of 14 dams that supply water to Gauteng, Mpumalanga, the Free State as well as the Northern Cape provinces. Key industries in the country such as the Eskom and Sasol rely on the system for water supply.
On the strength of rising levels of dams such as the iconic Vaal Dam, the system rose further up this week. It went up from 92.5% last week to 93.1% this week. The present levels have increased from 65.8% in the same week last year.
The Vaal Dam has notched up this week and sits comfortably at 102.5% after having breached the 100% for a number of weeks now. Last week it was 104.4% full while last year at the same time it stood at 53.1%, making its rise nothing short of astounding.
After remaining unchanged for the past two successive weeks, the Grootdraai Dam has seen a fall this week. It dropped from 99.8% to 99.2% this week. However, the present levels are still higher compared with the 93.8% it recorded at the same week last year.
The Sterkfontein Dam continues to edge ever so close to breaching the 100%. This week, it rose to 98.3% from last week’s 98.1%. During the same time last year, it was 93.1% full.
Likewise, the Bloemfoh Dam, which has also been hovering well above the 100%, has seen a further jump in levels this week. The dam has gone up from 106.0% last week to 109.0% this week. This shows a considerable progress in increase from 88.0% in the comparative period last year.
Both the Lesotho’s Katse and the Mohale dams remain far better than they were at this time last year.
This week, the Mohale Dam went up to highs of 79.0% from 78.9% last week. This is a profound increase from when the dam hovered at 33.7% at the same period last year.
On its part, the Mohale Dam has decreased this week. It went from 40.7% last week to 40.4%. this week. However, the present levels are reasonably better considering that during the same week last year, it stood was in a poor state at 12.1%.
According to the Department of Water and Sanitation’s (DWS) reservoir report, the other dams in the system remain positively sound at the following levels:
- Woodstock - 101.6%
- Zaaihoek - 82.1%
- Jericho - 88.6%
- Westoe – 94.7%
- Vygeboom – 100.9%
- Morgenstond – 86.1%
- Heyshope – 87.2%
- Nooitgedacht – 98.9%
In an effort to save water, the Department urges water consumers to desist from acts of water wastages such as washing dishes under a running tap and pre-rinsing dirty dishes. The Department further cautions against using incorrect size stoppers because this could lead to seepage.
The Department appeals to water users not to use water more than it is necessary and encourages them to fill up kettles with the amount of water they need and to use less water when cooking.
For more information, contact:
Sputnik Ratau on 082 874 2942 or
Hosia Sithole on 082 723 2442
