News

Dam levels declining

The Department of Water and Sanitation’s (DWS) weekly state of reservoirs report of 8 April shows that water levels in the major dams of the Nkangala District in the Mpumalanga Province, like the Middelburg Dam, are dropping.

April 11, 2019

Daleen Naudè 1 minute read

According to the report, the Witbank Dam dropped from last week’s 89.4% to 88.9%, Middelburg Dam dropped from 93.7% to 93.6% and Loskop Dam dropped from 91.2% to 90.6%.
The drop in water volumes in the Nkangala District’s major dams is in contrast to the slight increase recorded on average in the listed dams in the province.

On average, the province recorded a slight increase from 73.9% to 74.3% as recorded this Monday, 8 April.

Also read: Water Wednesday: Dam levels are declining in some provinces while the drought effects continue

According to this week’s report, the water management areas recorded different results, with the Olifants catchment, which feeds into the Nkangala dams, staying unchanged at 63.5% and the Inkomati-Usuthu catchment recording a slight increase from 75.4% to 76.6%.

It needs to be noted that as much as water levels in the three major dams are above 80%, the water levels are lower than what was recorded at the same time last year. This is a sign that water levels are dropping and the public needs to take water conservation and demand management seriously to ensure water security for all.

The Department of Water and Sanitation, therefore, urges all South Africans to use water sparingly and strengthen water conservation and re-use initiatives, especially as we head into the dry winter season. It is crucial that we all use the available water wisely to ensure the security of supply for all.