Sporadic rainfalls experienced in most parts of the country give rise to the country’s dam levels.

The intermittent rainfalls experienced in various parts of the country have contributed to a water level rise in the reservoirs. A weekly report issued by the Department of Water and Sanitation indicates that the water levels have increased to 93.7% this week, as compared to last week’s 92.9%.

North West water levels have significantly improved from 82.1% to 84.1% this week. Mpumalanga has also improved from 96.7% to 98.0%. Limpopo followed suit with 87.1% this week, compared to last week’s 85.3%. KwaZulu Natal has increased by 1% this week, sitting at 91.8% as compared to last week’s 90.8%. Free State has also seen an increase to 100.3%, compared to last week’s 99.3%.

Most of the Water Supply Systems that supplies potable water to different areas at various provinces have also seen a rise in their levels. North West’s Crocodile West Water Supply System has shot up to 95.3% this week, a significant improvement from last week’s 91.3%.

In Limpopo, Luvuvhu and Polokwane Water Supply Systems have also seen a significant increase by 101.2% and 104.6% respectively. They have both recorded 100.5% and 100.0% last week.

KwaZulu Natal Water Supply Systems have also risen this week. Umhlathuze Water Supply System is sitting at 100.2% compared to last week’s 99.8%. Umgeni Water Supply System has increased by 101.8% this week, a slight increase from last week’s 101.3%.

Gauteng’s Vaal Integrated Vaal River System has risen to 100.7% this week, compared to last week’s 99.9%.

The Departmental Spokesperson, Ms Wisane Mavasa said: “A rise in our provincial reservoirs and water supply systems is attributed to the recent showers experienced in various parts of the country. Our reservoirs are sitting at comfortable levels now, but we still appeal to our communities to be prudent when they use water. Despite our dams being at satisfactory levels, most areas are still experiencing water supply challenges which is aggravated by load-shedding. Therefore, extreme caution by water users is still critical to ensure sustainable water supply in the country.”

However, water levels in the Western Cape Province are continuously on a decline week on week, with the province’s reservoirs dropping from last week’s 54.6% to 52.7% this week. Cape Town Water Supply System has also dropped from 62.0% to 59.8% this week.

Gauteng and Eastern Cape have also experienced a slight decline in their water levels this week. Gauteng has dropped from 100.4% to 99.8% while Eastern Cape moved from 76.9% to 76.6% this week.

Algoa Water Supply System, which supplies the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan is still at a very low level registering 13.1% this week, compared to last week’s 13.6%.

Ms Mavasa continued to urge the communities within and around the Metro to continue using water sparingly due to the low water levels in the province and the continuous decline of the Algoa Water Supply System.

“There are persistent water supply challenges in Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality due to a critically low level of the Algoa Water Supply System. Some Eastern Cape dam levels are also on a continuous decline due to a scarcity of rainfalls in the province. We therefore continue to make an appeal to the residents of Eastern Cape, and to the community of Nelson Mandela Bay Metro and the surrounding areas to use water sparingly. While the Department and the municipality are working tirelessly to augment water supply in the area, we urge the residents to reduce their water usage and to save water to ensure sustained water supply”, said Ms Mavasa.

Source: Government of South Africa