The Department of Water and Sanitation released its weekly State of Reservoirs report on October 1. According to the report, the Mpumalanga average has dropped from 94.6% to 94.1%.

This average is 10% higher than levels recorded in the same period last year. The Gert Sibande District average dropped from 96.2% to 96.1%.

Listed dams in the district showed a mixed pot, with the Heyshope Dam remaining the same at 100.3%. The Jericho Dam stands at 90.5% and the Morgenstond Dam increased to 90.8%.

The Grootdraai Dam decreased from 95.4% to 95.1%, and the Nooitgedacht Dam dropped from 94.0% to 93.6%. The Vygeboom Westoe dams declined from 98.2% to 98% and 70% to 68.8%, respectively.

The department continues to urge residents to use water sparingly, as it has no substitute.

“We encourage the public to harvest rainwater on rainy days and use it to ease pressure on municipal supply,” stated Wisane Mavasa, the department’s spokesperson.