A weekly status of reservoirs report issued by the Department of Water and Sanitation early this week has shown a minimal decline of the Umgeni Water Supply System from 75.3% to 74.8%. The system, with five dams, was slightly lower at 63.5% during a similar period last year.
According to the weekly report, one of the province’s biggest dams which supplies parts of the eThekwini Metro, the Albert-Falls Dam, has also taken a dip from 48.9% to 48.5%. However, the Department’s spokesperson Sputnik Ratau has said the decline should not cause panic as the main system remains stable.
“People should not be alarmed as a result of the decline of Albert-Falls. We have the Umgeni System which serves as the main supply system to store and provide water in the province, and it is standing at good levels,” said Ratau.
Read: Kroonstad Sewage Problems will be Solved by December- DWS
Meanwhile, the Midmar Dam on the Mgeni River has recorded an above average percentage of 91.1% from 91.8%. Nagle Dam is this week at 92.4% from 91.6%.
At a concerning low levels is the Hazelmere Dam at 35.6% from last week’s 36.1%. Pongolapoort, Hluhluwe and Klipfontein dams have recorded 55.8%, 86.2 and 81.4% respectively.
The Department has cautioned residents to use water sparingly as hot weather temperatures are expected to increase in the coming weeks.
Here’s a look at this week’s dam level status in some KwaZulu-Natal dams:
| Dam | Status Last Week | Status This Week |
| Ntshingwayo | 72.0% | 71.4% |
| Zaaihoek | 75.4% | 75.4% |
| Inanda | 86.2% | 85.6% |
| Woodstock | 76.1% | 75.7% |
| Bivane | 82.1% | 76.6% |
| Driel Barrage | 99.7% | 100.0% |
| Wagendrift | 88.7% | 87.3% |
