KZN residents urged to use water sparingly

KwaZulu-Natal dam levels have inched up by one percent this week to land at 91,8% from 90,8% last week. This is according to the weekly dam levels report by the Department of Water and Sanitation.

The province’s main water supply system, Umgeni Water Supply System, remains comfortable at capacity, currently sitting at 101,8%, a slight increase from 101,3% last week.

The other supply system, the Integrated Vaal River System (IVRS), sits at 100,2%.

This is a significant jump from 88,3% during the same period last year.

Midmar, Nagle, Albert-Falls and Inanda dams – all fed through the Mgeni River – are at capacity, currently sitting at 100,6%, 101,9%, 101,8% and 103,0%, respectively.

This is a slight difference from last week’s levels, which stood at 100,8%, 101,2%, 101,0% and 102,3%.

Hazelmere remains the lowest of all the dams, sitting at 53,3%. Driel Barrage dam sits at 87,2% while Zaaihoek dam stands at 90,6% and Bivane dam at 102,0%, these dams remain unchanged this week.

The weekly report did not show any decreases in the province this week, however, KZN saw two major increases. Ntshingawyo dam moved out of the average zone by more than 10% from 66,6% to 77,9% this week. Mearns is overflowing at 122,9%, a remarkable leap from 106,6%.

The Department continues to tackle water security by implementing various projects in the country, such as the Umkhomazi bulk water supply project. The project is meant to increase the water supply in eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality and surrounding areas.

DWS Director-General, Dr Sean Phillips says the project is proceeding into the implementation phase. “The project has had many setbacks over the years, but we are beginning the implementation phase. The project will transfer water from the undeveloped uMkhomazi River to the existing Mgeni system to further augment water supply to the Durban and Pietermaritzburg areas,” explains DG Phillips.

Dr Phillips further reiterated the need for water conservation, saying the high-water use in a water-scarce country is worrisome.

“We need to remember that South Africa is a water-scarce country and as much as we are doing our part to ensure stable water security, citizens also need to do their part and save water,” concluded the Director-General.

Source: Government of South Africa