No steep drop in Hazelmere Dam levels

A sudden drop in the Hazelmere Dam levels from full to almost 60%, has shocked residents of the Dolphin Coast.

Umgeni Water has however confirmed that the volume of storage has not changed or reduced.

Up until November 2017, Umgeni Water had reported on the level of Hazelmere Dam using the previous capacity table – ie the level before the dam’s capacity was increased.

The dam wall has now been raised by seven metres, which has increased the capacity of the dam from 17 million kilolitres to 37 million kl, an increase of 218 percent.

Given the extent of completion of the project, it has been decided that all future reporting will be based on the new capacity table.

Also read: Hazelmere dam close to completion

“What this means is that the level of the dam will now be reflected at a level at less than half its capacity,” said Shami Harichunder, Corporate Stakeholder Manager, Umgeni Water.

“For instance, therefore, if the dam’s level had been 126% on its previous capacity table, it will now be shown as 60%.”

“However, it must be noted that the actual volume of storage, as reflected in the old and new tables, has not changed or reduced, only the percentage has due to increased capacity/storage space of the dam.”

The recent upgrades to the Hazelmere Dam have been welcomed with open arms as it is set to enhance assurance and security of future water supply within the area to the north of Durban and south of iLembe.

The Department of Water and Sanitation has increased capacity of Hazelmere Dam through raising of the dam wall and apart from enlarging capacity, raising of the wall will also restore loss of storage capacity through sedimentation.

This project involved raising the existing wall by seven metres in a piano key design, similar to that of the wall of Midmar Dam.

This project is now close to completion, and interested parties will be informed when completion occurs.

Umgeni Water wishes to remind consumers and others who have an interest in levels of dams in Umgeni Water’s operational area that the new levels are not as a result of water loss.

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