Lowveld water levels drop due to heat and scarce rain
The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has warned the public to conserve water after it announced that the water levels in the province's dams are decreasing rapidly.
MBOMBELA – Following the two-year drought, the water levels in the Lowveld’s dams had increased substantially from a year ago (see graph).
Water restrictions were imposed in Mbombela in March 2016. They were officially lifted on July 1, due to “satisfactory” water levels. Good rains have also been predicted for late summer.
Read more: Heavy rain expected this summer
However, the DWS said this week that water levels continue to decrease as the weather heats up and rain is scarce.
“The majority of the dams in Mpumalanga recorded declines in water levels, with the exception of Witbank Dam, Vygeboom Dam (which increased to 84,4 per cent) and Da Gama Dam (increased to 74,5 per cent).”
“Let us use water wisely and always remember that water has no substitute.”
Also see: Devastating effects of drought becomes clear Kruger
