The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) urges all water users to strengthen water conservation efforts and use the available water wisely and sparingly as dam levels decline in the Mpumalanga Province amidst the Super El Niño forecast by the South African Weather Services.
According to the latest DWS weekly State of Reservoirs report released this week, the average dam levels in the Mpumalanga Province dropped from 99.1% to 98.7%, whereas 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 in the districts, with Ehlanzeni dropping 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 of the listed dams recorded decreases in water levels, with a few remaining unchanged. On the decline, Kwena Dam dropped from 100.4% to 99.8%, Driekoppies Dam dropped 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 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%.
The majority of listed dams in Gert Sibande District recorded declines in water levels with the exception of Morgenstond Dam which recorded unchanged water levels, remaining at 100.3%.
The listed dams which recorded decreases include Grootdraai Dam, 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 from 100.8% to 100.4%.
Meanwhile, it was a mixed bowl in Nkangala District Witbank Dam recording an increase from 99.0% to 99.2%, and Rhenosterkop / Mkhombo Dam remaining unchanged at 100.0%.
Middelburg and Loskop dams recorded declines in water levels, dropping from 95.2% to 94.6% and from 100.7% to 100.2%, respectively.
In light of the decreasing water levels and the reported super El Niño weather condition forecast by the South African Weather Services for the summer season, the Department of Water and Sanitation urges residents and all water users to heighten their water conservation efforts to ensure sustainable and reliable water supply for all and future generations.
DWS further reminds 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 calls on residents to repair leaking taps and pipes on their properties and report bulk pipeline leaks and infrastructure vandalism to the relevant water services authorities.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of South African Government.