Low dam levels of concern in KZN

The level of Hazelmere Dam continued to remain stable at 46, 3 per cent on June 20.
A year ago to the day, the level of this dam was at 29, 98 per cent.
“An Improvement in dam level over the past 12 months has been as a result of some rainfall, from May 7- 9 2016, and water transfer from uThongathi River through an emergency scheme that was constructed by Umgeni Water in mid-2015,” said Corporate Stakeholder Manager, Umgeni Water, Shami Harichunder.
“At 46, 3 per cent, the amount of water in this dam still remains critically short of normal demand.”
Mandatory water restrictions of 50 per cent are in place in areas that are supplied by Hazelmere Water Treatment Works. The areas affected by 50 per cent water restrictions are: Verulam, Waterloo, Ballito, Umhlali, Sea Tides, La Mercy, Westbrook, Ndwedwe and Groutville.
Water restrictions of 50 per cent have also been implemented in KwaDukuza and Maphumulo which are supplied by Umvoti Water Treatment Works and Maphumulo Water Treatment Works respectively.
“Consumers are reminded that generally little or no rainfall occurs in KwaZulu-Natal during the winter months. During this period inflows into dams are low, while outflows for treatment and consumption continues. An earnest appeal is made to use water sparingly during this period, and for water conservation measures to continue as the current drought has illustrated the need for consumer behaviour to change.”

Predictions by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) are that the pattern of below average rainfall is expected to continue until the end of 2016.
It is due to the deteriorating water availability situation in some dams and the prolonged drought, water restrictions have been implemented.
These measures were adopted to prevent dams, such as Midmar, Albert Falls, Nagle and Hazelmere, failing.

Upper Mgeni system
In the Upper Mgeni system (Mearns, Spring Grove and Midmar dams) mandatory water restrictions of 15 per cent are being applied.
The areas affected by 15 per cent restrictions are uMgungundlovu, Pietermaritzburg and greater eThekwini region.
On June 20, the level of Midmar Dam was at 45, 06 per cent. A year ago the level of this dam was at 74, 1 per cent – a drop of 29 per cent that reflects the extent to which Midmar Dam catchments have been affected by lack of rain.
The level of Spring Grove Dam on June 20 was 66, 92 per cent (a year ago its level was at 97, 48 per cent) and on June 20 Mearns Dam was at 35, 24 per cent (a year ago its level was at 76, 92 per cent.
Water is being pumped from Spring Grove and Mearns dams to augment supply in Midmar Dam.
Spring Grove and Mearns are small dams that deplete rapidly.
Midmar, one of the largest dams in the Upper Mgeni system, remains in a state of stress. Midmar Dam is the source of supply to uMgungundlovu District, Pietermaritzburg and much of the eThekwini region. Mandatory water restrictions of 15 per cent are being applied in the supply areas of Midmar Dam.

Lower Mgeni system
In the Lower Mgeni system (Albert Falls, Nagle and Inanda dams), mandatory water restrictions of 15 per cent still remain in place, also as a result of below-average rainfall over the past 20 months.
Dams in the Lower Mgeni system are the source of supply to Durban North, Westville, KwaDabeka, Durban Central, Reservoir Hills, Pinetown, South Central Durban and Durban South (Amanzimtoti and KwaMakhutha).
The Upper and Lower Mgeni systems supply an estimated four million water users.
The level of Albert Falls Dam on June 20 was at 30, 01 per cent, the lowest it has been in 20 years. A year ago the level of Albert Fall was at 62, 7 per cent.
On June 20 the level of Nagle Dam was at 66, 73 per cent and Inanda Dam at 71, 77 per cent. A year ago to the day Nagle Dam was at 84, 83 per cent and Inanda Dam was at 93, 79 per cent.
The drastic fall in the levels of these three dams also illustrate the impact of below average rainfall.

Albert Falls and Nagle dams
Umgeni Water is concerned about the amount of water that remains in Albert Falls Dam.
Albert Falls is a holding dam that receives its water from Midmar Dam but, due to the current low level of Midmar Dam, a reduced volume has been released from it.
Albert Falls, in turn, is the main source of supply to Nagle Dam through releases.
If Albert Falls Dam fails, the implications for Nagle Dam – and Durban – will be serious.
The need for stringent water conservation by consumers has become imperative. If this does not occur, the effects will be seen in fast reducing levels of Midmar, Albert and Nagle dams and the possibility of many parts of Pietermaritzburg and Durban facing acute water shortages.

South Coast
In the Middle South Coast, as at 20th June 2016, levels of dams were: Umzinto = 87, 95 per cent (a year ago the level of this dam was at 28, 97 per cent), EJ Smith = 96, 56 per cent (a year ago the level of this
dam as at 49, 45 per cent and Nungwane = 96, 29 per cent (a year ago the level of this dam was at 50, 47 per cent).
The strong levels of these dams are attributable to a combined total of 300mm rainfall received from 7th – 9th May 2016 in the Middle South Coast.
It must be remembered that the three dams in the Middle South Coast system are small and, therefore, their levels reduce as rapidly as they fill up. Mandatory 15 per cent water restrictions that have been gazetted for the Mgeni systems also apply to Middle South coast towns (Umzinto, Scottburg, Kelso, Pennington) as the Middle South Coast system receives about 60 per cent of its water from the Lower Mgeni system.
The level of Ixopo Dam on June 20 was at 51, 71 per cent. A year ago the level of this dam was at 80, 54 per cent. Ixopo Dam is currently being supported by water transfer through an emergency scheme. Mandatory water restrictions of 50 per cent are being applied in Ixopo.

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