Latest on status of water in NC
Water storage in the Northern Cape Province is this week at 138.3 million cubic metres or 93.9%. The full storage capacity of the province is 147.3million m3. Approximately 72% of the 439 Northern Cape towns and settlements are dependent on groundwater ,114 are using surface water and 9 towns are using both surface and underground water.
The Douglas Storage Weir in the Vaal River is at 17.593 million m3 or 108.3%. The full supply capacity of the Weir is 16.245 million m3. Boegoeberg Dam on the Orange River is at 19.270 million m3 or 93.5%, Spitskop Dam on the Harts River is at 58.336 million m3 or 100.9% and the Vaalharts Weir is at 42.434 million m3 or 83.7%.
Good winter rain and snow were received over certain western parts of the province. The Karee Dam which is the only municipal storage dam in the Northern Cape and serving the town of Calvinia is currently at 71.9% after the latest winter rain in parts of the province.
Through the Drought Relief Programme and COVID-19 Interventions, the Department of Water and Sanitation have delivered 884 water tanks to high and medium density informal areas with unreliable or no water supply in the province, 805 are permanently installed, 851 are in use and 46 are temporary installed. These tanks are kept full by 60 water trucks.
Even though the provincial average has risen from 91,4% to 93,9% week on week, this is not by any way or form an indication of a sense of comfort regarding water availability. South Africa remains water scarce. The need for good hygiene practices inclusive of regular washing of hands with soap and water in response to COVID-19 implies that all citizenry is urged to use water sparingly.
For more information contact Sputnik Ratau, Spokesperson for the Department of Water and Sanitation on 082 874 2942 or Amogelang Moholoeng on 082 653 1682
