The Department of Water and Sanitation {DWS} continues to encourage the Lowveld community to use water wisely, sparingly, and efficiently at all times, as water conservation remains a key priority for sustainable and reliable water supply for all as South Africa remains a dry and water-scarce country.

According to the latest weekly reservoir report, released by the Department of Water and Sanitation on September 1, the majority of listed dams in the Lowveld and Ehlanzeni District continue to decrease in water levels and recorded further declines with the exception of Buffelskloof and Longmere dams which recorded unchanged water levels at 100.1% and 91.6%, respectively.

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The listed dams which recorded declines in water levels include Blyderivierpoort dropping from 93.7% to 92.1%, Driekoppies from 90.9% to 90.0%, Klipkopjes from 88.5% to 86.7%, Witklip from 94.9% to 93.4%, Primkop from 86.3% to 80.3%, Kwena from 97.5% to 95.3%, Da Gama from 93.7% to 92.3%, Inyaka from 95.7% to 95.5%, Ohrigstad from 70.2% to 68.3%, and Vygeboom from 99.7% to 99.4%.

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The Inkomati-Usuthu Water Management Area has also decreased from 96.1% to 95.4%.

The department reiterates the critical need for water conservation, urging the public to avoid water wastage and prevent unnecessary water losses by repairing leaks, reporting burst pipes promptly, and protecting water infrastructure from theft and vandalism because every drop counts as water has no substitute.