KwaZulu-Natal dam levels continue to decline as winter sets out

The Department of Water and Sanitation has appealed to KwaZulu-Natal residents to continue using water sparingly as dam levels in the province continue on a downward spiral. According to the Department’s weekly report on the status of reservoirs, the provincial water storage has declined from last week’s 70.1% to 69.4% in a period of a week.

Adding to this, the province’s water supply system, Umgeni, has also taken a dip from 80.1% last week to 79.3% this week.

“We attribute the declines to the dry winter season. However, we are hoping the province’s dam levels will see an improvement as we bid this season goodbye and await the summer season,” said spokesperson Sputnik Ratau.

Ratau reiterated that the notable decline should not prompt residents to become worrisome as most of the province’s dams are still above average, even amid the decline in the overall water storage capacity.

“Dams such as the Spioenkop on the Tugela River is presently at 97.7% from last week’s 98.2%. Meanwhile, Woodstock Dam has also taken a dip from 86.6% to 82.8%,” he said.

Ntshingwayo Dam has decreased from 75.3% to 74.2%, meanwhile Zaaihoek Dam remains unchanged at 78.4%.

Below average and recording a decline is the Hazelmere Dam on the Mdloti River at 42.0% from 43.4%. Albert- Falls is at 51.5% from 52.1%. Seeing a significant drop is the Mearns Dam down from 61.0% to 49.8%.

The Department has further called on residents to report water leaks and infrastructure vandalism as these are often contributors to the amount of freshwater which is being lost in the country.

Source: Government of South Africa