The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has urged all water users to strengthen water conservation efforts and use available water wisely as dam levels decline across Mpumalanga amid Super El Niño forecasts attributed to weather authorities.

According to the latest DWS weekly State of Reservoirs report, the average dam level in Mpumalanga dropped from 99.1% to 98.7%. In the Water Management Areas (WMA), the Limpopo-Olifants WMA decreased from 100.1% to 99.8%, and the
Inkomati-Usuthu WMA dropped from 98.1% to 97.8%.

Water levels also dropped across districts, with Ehlanzeni falling from 100.2% to 99.9%, Gert Sibande from 97.9% to 97.5%, and Nkangala from 99.9% to 99.6%.

The report shows that in the Ehlanzeni District and Lowveld, most listed dams recorded decreases in water levels, while a few remained unchanged.

On the decline, Kwena Dam dropped from 100.4% to 99.8%, Driekoppies Dam from 100.5% to 100.4%, Witklip Dam from 100.6% to 100.4%, Da Gama Dam from 100.3% to 99.8%, Inyaka Dam from 100.4% to 100.1%, Blyderivierpoort Dam from 100.5% to 100.2%, and Ohrigstad Dam from 88.9% to 88.2%.

The listed dams that recorded unchanged water levels include Longmere at 101.6%, Klipkopjes at 100.4%, Primkop at 101.7%, and Buffelskloof at 100.3%.

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The majority of listed dams in Gert Sibande District recorded declines in water levels, with the exception of Morgenstond Dam, which remained unchanged at 100.3%.

The listed dams that recorded decreases include Grootdraai Dam in Standerton, dropping from 101.2% to 100.7%, Nooitgedacht Dam from 99.6% to 99.2%, Vygeboom Dam from 100.7% to 100.4%, Jericho Dam from 92.0% to 91.7%, Westoe Dam from 53.3% to 52.5%, and Heyshope Dam from 100.8% to 100.4%.

Meanwhile, Nkangala District recorded mixed results, with Witbank Dam increasing from 99.0% to 99.2%, and Rhenosterkop / Mkhombo Dam remaining unchanged at 100.0%.

Middelburg and Loskop dams recorded declines, dropping from 95.2% to 94.6% and from 100.7% to 100.2% respectively.

In light of decreasing water levels and reported weather forecasts for the summer season, the DWS urged residents and all water users to heighten water conservation efforts to ensure a sustainable and reliable water supply for current and future generations.

The DWS reminded all water users that South Africa is a water-scarce country, which calls for responsible and efficient water use as every drop counts.

The department further called on residents to repair leaking taps and pipes on their properties and to report bulk pipeline leaks and infrastructure vandalism to relevant water services authorities.

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