Integrated Vaal River System remains strong

The Integrated Vaal River System (IVRS) slightly declined this week, however it is in a strong position as some of the dams within it continue to be at firm levels.

Compared to last year at the same time when the system (IVRS) hovered at 74.1%, its present levels are higher at 98.4%. The present levels of the system are marginally lower when judged against the 100.2% at which it stood last week.

Recording a decline, the Vaal Dam moved from 110.4% last week to 105.4% this week. During the comparative period last year, it stood at 64.5%.  This slight decline comes after the Department of Water and Sanitation had opened five sluice gates at the Dam. On this morning of the 12th January one gate was closed reverting to four continuing to be open. Monitoring of the dam levels continues and any further closing or opening of sluice gates will be guided by the outcomes of such monitoring.

The Grootdraai Dam, which has been on the increase week-on-week, has seen a 0.1% drop this week. However, it fell from last week’s 101.9% to 101.8% this week. Last year’s levels of 101.8 % indicate that the dam has been strong.

For the second successive week, the Sterkfontein Dam, which is a reserve dam for the IVRS, is above 100% mark, presently stands at 101.2% while last year in the same week it was lesser at 95.6%. The Sterkfontein Dam is one of the critical dams in the system that have held firm over the months.
This week, the Bloemhof Dam records a slight decline from 111.9% to 103.1% this week. This is lower, compared to the levels of 109.7% during the same week last year.

Mohale Dam continue to rise, as it remains above the neutral 50% mark. The levels of the Mohale Dam saw a slight improvement from 63.0% last week to 63.6% this week. During the same time last year, the dam stood at 20.2%, which shows that the dam had been on a consistent downward trend, which seems to be reversing currently.

The Katse Dam is well on its way up as it rose from 98.5% last week to 99.2% this week. This is higher compared to the 50.5% it recorded at the same time last year.

The Department of Water and Sanitation is satisfied that the system, IVRS, has been able to remain in a strong position. However, the Department warns water users in Gauteng that the stability of the system would be in jeopardy if both businesses and the public do not take responsibility to use water with the utmost responsibility and caution.

Source: Government of South Africa