Water must be used sparingly – DWS

THE Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has urged all citizens to use water sparingly.

‘A behavioural change is required from all of us to use water with care. This is not just directed at areas with lower water levels, it is for everyone in the country,’ said DWS spokesperson Sputnik Ratau.

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Although many dams in the province are currently at above-average levels, others are not. Albert Falls dam in the KZN Midlands, which supplies water to the eThekwini Metro, is one that is below-average, currently standing at 47.5% capacity.

‘South Africa is water scarce and is ranked among the driest countries in the world,’ said Ratau.

‘This means South Africans need to treat water as a precious and very expensive resource that must be used wisely. We cannot emphasise this point enough.’

Many dams in the Zululand area experienced a decrease in water levels over the last week, with Hluhluwe decreasing from 83.6% to 82.9%, Pongolapoort dropping from 55.6% to 55.3% and Goedertrouw standing at 71.31% (down from 71.34%).