The release of water from the Chelmsford and Zaaihoek Dams has resulted in the Buffalo River, from which Endumeni and Nquthu extract potable water, to start flowing again.

Recently, the river level fell below the level of the weir at Tayside, from where water is pumped to the Biggarsberg Water Works.
This meant the pumps could not operate at an optimum.

The extraction point at Vant’s Drift, which feeds Nquthu, was also reduced to a trickle due to the very hot temperatures, high evaporation levels and high consumption.

This was confirmed by Luiz Cunha of uThukela Water, which is responsible for bulk water supply to the Umzinyathi District.

The Department of Water Affairs released more water from Chelmsford Dam last week to increase the flow to 1,5 cubic metres per second, in conjunction with a release from Zaaihoek Dam.
Mr Cunha added dam levels were about 15 per cent less than this time last year, with the average capacity being around 70 per cent.
“The release of water is a very temporary solution. We are hoping that river levels will stabilise and that the rains are not far away. We are also busy with the municipality to do upgrades at the extraction and purification works, which will help to increase dam storage,” he concluded.

See this week’s Courier for the full story

Read more:

Drought puts further pressure on water resources

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