Limpopo province dam levels are gradually decreasing during this winter season. They were at 86.9% last week but they have suffered a slight decline this week to 86.7%. The water storage in the province has also declined and stands at 1124.1 cubic metres out of a full capacity of 1 296.8 cubic metres. This is according to this week’s Department of Water and Sanitation’s reservoirs report. 

These dam levels in the Province’s dams are still an improvement as compared to last year when they were sitting at a level of 71.6% during this period.

The Polokwane Water Supply System supplying water to Polokwane and other surrounding areas is currently sitting at 93.2%, a notable decline from last week’s 94.0%. Therefore, the Department of Water and Sanitation calls on the residents of Limpopo to be cautious when using water. The users need to use water sparingly both at household, industrial, agriculture and mining.

Ebenezer Dam in Groot Letaba, which supplies the majority of communities around Polokwane, has remained unchanged this week at 100.3%. This is a huge improvement from last year when it stood at 15.9% at this time.

Read: Dam levels in KwaZulu-Natal experience a decline as the winter season sets in

In Vhembe District, Nandoni Dam supplied by Levhuvhu River, has decreased to 101.0% this week from 101.1% last week. The dam was 100.8% full last year at this time. Vondo Dam has however remained unchanged this week, hovering at a capacity of 100.1%.

De Hoop Dam in Steelpoort, which supplies the community of Sekhukhune and the local mining industries, has also remained unchanged this week at 98.1%. This is an improvement from last year’s 95.1% at this time. Flag Boshielo Dam is normally at its full capacity but is now on a downward spiral, recording 90.5% this week from 91.6% last week. The dam recorded 100.1%. last year at this time.

Mokolo Dam in Mokolo River has suffered a slight decrease with a margin of 0,1%. It is now sitting at 99.9% from last week’s 100.0%.  This is a great level compared to 57.4% last year at this time.

Tzaneen Dam which supplies water to farmers for irrigation in the area has also seen a slight decrease of 0,1% this week. It is now sitting at 100.3% from last week’s 100.4%. This dam was at a low of 25.4% last year at this time.

A critically low Middle Letaba Dam continues on its downward spiral and is at 9.6% this week, compared to last week’s 9.8%. This is still a paltry improvement compared to 2.8% recorded last year at this time. Doorndraai Dam in Sterk River which is also at its low levels has declined to 40.7% this week compared to last week’s 40.8%, an improvement compared to when it declined to 11.4% last year at this time.

Water still remains a scarce resource in the country, and this season of winter is affecting the levels in the country’s dams, and Limpopo is not spared. The Department of Water and Sanitation still reiterates its call on water consumers, particularly in Limpopo province to continue using water sparingly, as the dams continue to decrease week on week.