A weekly report on the status of dam levels issued by the Department of Water and Sanitation this week shows a decline of water levels in some of KwaZulu-Natal’s dams. The Department said the provincial storage capacity has decreased from last week’s 73.0% to 72.6% this week.
Midmar Dam is down from 99.2% recorded in the previous week to 98.9%. Also on a downward trend is the Nagle Dam at 88.6% from last week’s 88.7%. Albert-Falls Dam is this week at 54.8% down from 55.1%. Meanwhile Inanda Dam is at 97.4% from 97.9%.
Similarly experiencing a decline this week is the Hazelmere Dam at 50.3% from 51.2%, Driel Barrage Dam at a steep decline to 88.4% from 99.7%, Woodstock Dam at 95.7% from 97.0% and Spring Grove Dam at 98.2% from 99.6%.
Read: The Status of Limpopo dams: Department of Water and Sanitation
Bivane Dam has declined from 97.9% to 94.1%. Hluhluwe Dam is at 95.8% this week from 95.3% last week. Ntshingwayo (78.5%) and Zaaihoek (78.4%) and Wagendrift (100.3%) Dams have recorded declines as well. Last week the dams stood at 79.1%, 78.6% and 100.6% respectively.
The Department indicated that there were some dams which remain above average amid the decline in others. Such dam include the Spioenkop and Craigie Burn Dams which are unchanged at last week’s 100.1% and 100.6% respectively.
Mearns Dam has slightly increased from 67.5% recorded in the previous week to 80.7%. Also up and although minimally is the Goedertrouw Dam at 74.5% from 74.4%
Speaking on behalf of the Department, spokesperson Sputnik Ratau said the minimal declines in dam levels should not alarm residents. He however called for prudent water use.
“You will note that our data shows a minimal decline in some dam levels, with most recording above average percentages. However, this does not mean we should be reckless with how we use water,” Ratau said.
He added that the province’s largest water supply system, the Umgeni System, has also taken a dip from 84.9% to 84.4%.
“Using water with the utmost care should be part of everyone’s lifestyle. We should really do our best to change our relationship with this precious resource. Report water leaks and infrastructure vandalism, this we cannot overemphasize,” he concluded.
