Residents urged to use less water as Vaal dam levels plunge
The department notes the drop in the Vaal dam and other dams during this uncertain time, when communities are supposed to practice good hygiene by washing hands with water and soap.
Levels at the Vaal dam continued to plummet this week, prompting the Department of Water and Sanitation to call for water to be used sparingly.
Department spokesperson Sputnik Ratau said the dam plunged to a record low this week, reaching the biggest drop in levels compared to this time last year.
Ratau said levels were a far cry from the 70.8% it recorded last year at the same week, taking a nosedive to 48.9% this week.
He said last week, the dam had been below 50%.
“Similar drops took place in the other dams that are part of the integrated Vaal river system, which consists of 14 dams, including Grootdraai and Bloemhof.”
Ratau said the Grootdraai dam fell from 87.8% last week to 86.7%.
However, “the dam is in a much safer position compared with the lower levels of 74.2% it saw last year in the same week”.
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“The department notes the drop in the Vaal dam and other dams during this uncertain time, when communities are supposed to practice good hygiene by washing hands with water and soap,” said Ratau.
He, however, reiterated that community members must while heeding the call to practice good hygiene practices still use water sparingly.
“To this end, communities must avoid water losses through leaking pipes and taps by fixing or reporting them to local municipalities,” he said.
Ratau reminded water users that winter season is approaching and less rain was expected in the next few months.
“A behavioural change on how water is used becomes critical during this period,” said Ratau.
However, the Gauteng dams are above average, said Ratau.
He said dam levels in the province remained slightly above average at 98,2 % this from last week’s 98,4 %.
“The current levels are higher when compared with the 95.3% recorded last year during the same period.”
The Bronkhorstspruit Dam this week recorded an increase in comparison to the same period last year,
“The dam was at 89.9 %, while the Bon Accord Dam still stands at 104.8 %, which is also an increase from last year.
“Similarly, the Roodeplaat Dam is at full capacity. Also unchanged is the Klipdrift Dam which remains high.”
He said despite the above average dam levels in the province, the department was calling on residents to use water in a prudent manner as the winter season kicks in.
“Moreover, residents are advised to ensure they do not leave their taps running as they wash hands regularly to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.”
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