Category: Energy & Power

Water storage in the Northern Cape has increased drastically from last week’s 96.8% to 110.3% after heavy downpours experienced in the province and over the country recently, particularly in the inland provinces. Two sluice gates remain open at the Vaal Dam impacting on the Northern Cape as water flows from upstream. The full water supply capacity of the Northern Cape is 146.3 (m3); it has been exceeded and now stands at 161.5(m3).

The Lower Vaal River system is on average at 101.9% with the Lower Orange River system at 107.6% full.

The Vanderkloof Dam which is situated on the border of the Free State and Northern Cape is at 108.63% with a water release of 14.93 m3/s.

In the Orange River system, Marksdrift gauging station is at a height of 2.47metres, Katlani just below the Vaal-Orange Rivers’ confluence is at  a height of 7.4 metres, Prieska 6.8 metres and Boegoeberg at 11.7 metres. The water level in Upington has passed 7 metres in height. Neuberg just below the Augrabies is at 6.550 with the Blouputs at almost 4.9 metres.

Spokesperson for the Department of Water and Sanitation Mr. Sputnik Ratau, says “communities must avoid gathering along the Vaal and Orange River systems and at bridges as the water is very dangerous at this time.”

Ratau further cautioned that “water storage above 100% in the Northern Cape and anywhere else in the country is no license to waste water”.

The Karee Dam, the only storage dam in the Northern Cape is at 9.6%. Take note that the Karee Dam is the only water storage dam in the Northern Cape, the rest are water storage weirs. Unlike a storage dam whose primary purpose is long term water storage, weirs are balancing dams designed to act as multi-purpose facilities and distribution points from where water is diverted into pipelines, canals or power generating turbines, or to serve as a pumping station hence water levels change week on week.

Water levels along the Orange and Vaal River systems will differ depending on the width and depth of the river.

Source: Government of South Africa

Department of Water and Sanitation in partnership with the Dutch Water Authorities will host the Blue Deal Conference this week

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) in collaboration with the Dutch Water Authorities will host a Blue Deal Conference which aims to support water management worldwide by exchanging knowledge and experiences in the water sector. 

The Conference will be held under the theme: “Leadership Deck on successes and learnings to date” on Thursday, 24 November 2022 at The Garden Venue in Randburg.

It will be attended and addressed by Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister, Mr David Mahlobo, the Director-General of the DWS Dr Sean Phillips, the Head of Blue Deal Worldwide, Mr Hein Pieper, and Deputy Ambassador of the Netherlands, Mrs Janneke Vrijland, including key sector leaders and stakeholders.

The Blue Deal Programme is between the Netherlands Ministries of Foreign Affairs, infrastructure and Water Management and all the Dutch water authorities to support regional and national governments worldwide.

It is also aimed at strengthening water management and to advocate for cooperative solving of water related issues at local government level. This is a partnership that has a global goal to improve the water situation of 20 million people by the year 2030.

Stakeholders involved include officials from local government, Cooperate Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Municipal Infrastructure Support Agency (MISA), and the Water Research Commission (WRC).  

Source: Government of South Africa

The City’s Electricity Generation and Distribution Department would like to inform residents in Muizenberg and in the immediate vicinity that a planned necessary electricity interruption will be carried out on Saturday, 3 December 2022 from 21:00 to 08:00 the following day, or on Saturday, 14 January 2023 from 21:00 to 08:00, depending on weather conditions, but not on both days. This is critical maintenance to a major substation in the area, which needs to be carried out.

The interruption will enable City officials to carry out the necessary maintenance work at the Main Substation in Muizenberg. This substation supplies Muizenberg and parts of the immediate vicinity.

We thank our customers for their understanding. To view the area outage map, visit: http://bit.ly/3i2nINQ.

Please note the affected areas are highlighted in yellow.

‘The City apologises for any inconvenience caused and thanks residents for their cooperation.

‘The City encourages residents to visit the City’s website to view the map of the affected streets, or to contact the Electricity Department’s Technical Operations Centre on 0860 103 089 for more information or for enquiries,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, Councillor Beverley van Reenen.

Please note:

The electricity supply could be restored at any time and customers must please treat all electrical installations as live for the full duration of the interruption.

Residents are encouraged to switch off appliances as a precaution and to avoid damage caused by power surges when the power comes back on.

Contact the City’s Call Centre on 0860 103 089 for more information or if you have any enquiries regarding the planned electricity supply interruption.

Source: City Of Cape Town

The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate will be doing planned work in the identified areas which will result in water supply disruptions. The City sincerely regrets any inconvenience caused, but it is imperative that it maintains its water supply infrastructure to benefit its consumers. Residents in the affected areas below are encouraged to take note of the work that will be taking place in their areas.

Zero-Pressure Tests and Step Tests

Table View, Flamingo Vlei and Bloubergstrand (Postponed from 16 November)

The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate will conduct zero pressure tests on the main water supply to the Table View, Flamingo Vlei and Bloubergstrand areas. This work will result in the disruption of the water supply in these areas on Tuesday, 22 November 2022, from 21:00 overnight until 04:00 on Wednesday, 23 November 2022. The work was previously due to take place overnight from 21:00 on 16 November 2022 but was postponed due to unforeseen circumstances.

Heldervue area in Somerset West

The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate will conduct zero pressure tests on the main water supply to the Heldervue area in Somerset West, within the area surrounded by Main Road, Kirkia Street, Dianthus Street, Gardenia Street, Abelia Street, Prunus Street, Strelitz Street, Magnolia Street and Lobelia Street. This work will result in the disruption of the water supply in this area on Tuesday, 22 November 2022, from 21:00 overnight until 04:00 on Wednesday, 23 November 2022.

Pinehurst area in Kraaifontein

The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate will conduct zero pressure tests on the main water supply to the Pinehurst area in Kraaifontein, to the East of Okavango Road and South of Pinehurst Road. This work will disrupt the water supply to this area on Wednesday, 23 November 2022, from 21:00 overnight until 04:00 on Thursday, 24 November 2022.

Zero-pressure testing and step testing are part of the installation process for pressure management technology. Tests are done in advance to see if any unmapped inflows need to be considered before installing smart pressure-reducing valves.

In these affected areas, some residents may experience low water pressure, and some may have no water coming out of their taps for some time during this overnight testing period. It is impossible to predict which areas or streets will experience disruptions.

Residents are kindly advised to store water in clean, sealed containers in advance for use during this period and to ensure that their taps are closed to avoid water loss and/or damage when the supply is restored.

This work forms part of the City’s Water Demand Management Strategy. Managing water pressure more effectively reduces the possibility of pipe bursts and water wastage.

Maintenance Work – Meter replacements

Manenberg

The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate will be shutting off the water supply main to the Manenberg area on Thursday, 24 November 2022, from 20:00 overnight until 04:00 on Friday 25 November 2022. This will enable the safe replacement of a 300mm diameter bulk water meter insert on the main water supply and may result in reduced water pressure and possible disruptions of the water supply to this area.

This work forms part of the Water and Sanitation Directorate’s proactive Bulk Water infrastructure maintenance programme which ensures the future continuity of water supply by addressing the issue of unaccounted for water.

Maintenance Work – Pipe and valve installations, repairs and replacements

Martinsville in Somerset West

The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate will be shutting off the water supply main to the Martinsville area in Somerset West on Tuesday, 22 November 2022, from 09:00 until 16:00. This will enable the safe installation of two control valves into the existing water supply network and will result in the disruption of the water supply to the area. A water tanker will be available in the area to provide residents with water for essential domestic consumption during this period.

Schaapkraal in Philippi

The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate will be shutting off various water supply mains within the Schaapkraal area in Philippi, according to the schedule below. This will enable the safe connection of recently replaced pipelines to the existing water supply network and will result in the disruption of the water supply to the specified areas for each day. Note that other parts of Schaapkraal will be subject to testing before and during each time-frame, resulting in intermittent water supply disruptions

Day 1: Wednesday, 23 November 2022 from 09:00 until 18:00 – Properties along the Corner Klip/Boundary Road and New Strandfontein Road; Corner Boundary Road and Kraal Road; Boundary Road and Boom Road; Schaap Road and 1st Avenue.

Day 2: Tuesday, 29 November 2022 from 09:00 until 18:00 – Properties along Schaapkraal Road and New Strandfontein Road; Schaapkraal Road and Vlei Road (North); Vlei Road and Middle Avenue. 

Day 3: Thursday, 01 December 2022 from 09:00 until 18:00 – Properties along Vlei Road and Schaapkraal Road (South); Vlei Road and North of Olieboom Road.

Day 4: Tuesday, 06 December 2022 from 09:00 until 18:00 – Properties along the Corner of Vlei Road and Olieboom Road; Corner of Kraal Road and Olieboom Road; Kraal Road and North of Olieboom Road.

• Sarepta,  Ounooiensfontein, Oakdene, Dannarand and Kalkfontein

The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate will be shutting off the water supply main to Sarepta, Ounooiensfontein, Oakdene, Dannarand and Kalkfontein on Thursday, 24 November 2022, from 21:00 overnight until 04:00 on Friday, 25 November 2022. This will enable the safe connection of a new 110mm diameter pipeline to the existing water supply network and will result in the disruption of the water supply to the area. A water tanker will be available in the area to provide residents with water for essential domestic consumption during this period.

What residents need to know about larger-scale planned water supply disruptions:

Careful consideration has been given to the planning of this work to ensure it is being done at a time that is least disruptive to the water supply.

All sites where water and sanitation repairs and upgrades are conducted are deemed to be construction sites and, as such are off-limits to members of the public.

Sometimes the maintenance work can be more complex than anticipated, resulting in it taking longer.

For a short period, after the supply has been restored, the water may be discoloured or look milky. This is because of trapped air in the pipes. If left to stand in a glass, the appearance will become clear, like normal.

For updates on the maintenance work (and the location of tankers where applicable), follow  @CityofCTAlerts which is a City of Cape Town Twitter account.

How residents are advised to prepare for planned water supply disruptions:

Store enough water in clean sealed containers that will last for your use during this period.

Keep your taps closed to prevent any water loss and/or damage when the water supply is restored.

The City sincerely regrets any inconvenience caused.

Source: City Of Cape Town

Eskom says Stage 4 load shedding will be implemented until further notice.

The power utility explained that the intensified rotational power cuts are due to a high level of breakdowns at power stations, delays in return to service and the depletion of emergency reserves.

“Since Friday morning a generating unit each at Kendal and Kriel were taken offline for repairs. Delays in returning to service a unit each at Arnot, Grootvlie, Hendrina and Tutuka power stations have contributed to capacity constraints.

“Changes in the stages of load shedding will be more erratic due to the absence of the buffer that is normally provided by the diesel generation capacity between generating unit breakdowns. Eskom will publish a further update as soon as there are any significant changes,” Eskom said.

By Friday afternoon, Eskom reported breakdowns had taken some 15 320MW of capacity offline with a further 4877MW taken off for maintenance.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The recent and continuing rains in most parts of the country are having a positive effect on water levels in the Mpumalanga Province.

The latest Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) weekly state of reservoirs report of 14 November 2022 shows that the average dam levels in the Mpumalanga Province recorded a 4.4% improvement from 89.3% to 93.7%. In terms of the water management areas (WMA), the Olifants WMA recorded a 4.1% increase from 78.9% to 83.0% and the Inkomati-Usuthu WMA recorded a 1.1% increase from 93.2% to 94.3%. This is a better picture as compared to the same time last year when the provincial average stood at 74.0%, the Olifants WMA stood at 66.6% and the Inkomati-Usuthu WMA was at 82.7%.

Longmere Dam in the Lowveld in Ehlanzeni District and Jericho Dam in Gert Sibande District are the only listed dams that recorded some declines in water volumes, dropping from 81.7% to 80.0% and 88.1% to 88.0% respectively.

In the Lowveld and Ehlanzeni District, Blyderivierpoort Dam increased from 71.6% to 74.6%, Buffelskloof from 70.7% to 82.9%, Driekoppies from 97.1% to 97.2%, Klipkopjes from 90.9% to 94.9%, Witklip from 89.2% to 89.9%, Primkop from 84.9% to 97.9%, Kwena from 82.9% to 84.6%, Da Gama from 90.5% to 102.7%, Inyaka from 78.1% to 79.1%, and Ohrigstad from 23.2% to 23.5%.

In the Gert Sibande District, Vygeboom and Westoe dams remained unchanged at 100.3% and 73.3% respectively.

On the improvement side in Gert Sibande, Grootdraai Dam increased from 91.4% to 109.0%, Nooitgedacht from 96.6% to 100.1%, Morgenstond from 99.1% to 99.7%, and Heyshope from 99.3% to 100.8%.

All the listed dams in the Nkangala District recorded improvements in water levels, Witbank Dam increased from 98.2% to 100.7%, Middelburg from 93.7% to 94.4%, Loskop from 97.9% to 102.9% and Rhenosterkop / Mkhombo from 48.1% to 52.9%.

The Department of Water and Sanitation would like to remind the public that water has no substitute and South Africa remains a water scarce country which necessitates each and every individual to use water wisely and sparingly despite the improvements in water levels in the listed dams and water management areas.

DWS also urges the public to be extra cautious during rainy days and avoid crossing raging rivers and streams. Always remember, your life and safety come first so always be on higher ground and avoid flooded areas. Always remember that rain brings water and life, but it can also take lives if we are not careful.  

Source: Government of South Africa

The weekly report issued by the Department of Water and Sanitation has shown a huge improvement of the water levels in the reservoirs of the country to 96.6% this week, as compared to last week’s 89.8%. This is due to recent rainfall in most parts of the country. This is a huge improvement of the national average as compared to last year’s 77.9%.

The rainfalls have also improved the country’s Water Supply Systems, which have been on a downward spiral in the past weeks. The Integrated Vaal River System (IVRS), which consists of 14 dams in four provinces is sitting at 101.2% this week, a notable improvement from last week’s 93.3%.

Part of the IVRS is the Vaal Dam, which supplies water to Gauteng province. Vaal Dam is now at full capacity to 106.4% this week, compared to last week’s 91.3%. This huge overflow of the dam resulted in opening eight sluice gates to ease the pressure on the infrastructure and manage the continuing inflows.

Other provinces that have experienced a significant increase in the water levels this week include Free State from 96.8% to 107.5%, This is a huge movement considering that the Free State is home to the two largest dams in the country. Mpumalanga provincial levels rose from 89.3% to 93.7%, KwaZulu-Natal from 85.3% to 88.0%, North West from 72.4% to 81.2%, Limpopo from 82.5% to 85.5%, and Northern Cape from 96.1% to 96.8%.

However, Western Cape has experienced a decrease to 67.8% this week from last week’s 69.3%. The dam levels in the Western Cape were standing at 81.4% last year at this time, meaning there is a decline when compared to last year, due to less rains this past winter rainy season in that province.

“Due to lack of rainfall in the Western Cape, the provincial water levels are on a steady decline from 69.3% last week to 67.8% this week. It is the same with the Cape Town Water Supply System that consists of dams that supply water to the City of Cape Town and surrounding areas.  The system is sitting at 77.8% this week, a concerning drop from last week’s 79.5%”, said Mr Ratau.

The Department of Water and Sanitation urgers communities that reside downstream of the rivers that are rising, or near the dams where releases are happening, to be vigilant during this rainy season. Examples of these dams are the Vaal, Pongolapoort (Jozini popularly), and Hartbeespoort, to name a few.

Source: Government of South Africa