The water stored in KwaZulu-Natal’s reservoirs has shown a slight drop in volumes as the effects of dry winter season are starting to show. This is according to the weekly status of dam levels report issued by the Department of Water and Sanitation Hydrology Unit early this week.
The province’s water storage capacity also dropped a notch from last week’s 84,4% to 84,1%. However, this a significant increase compared to the previous year, when the overall storage of dams stood at 70.3%.
The Umgeni Water Supply System with five dams supplying water to eThekwini and surrounding area remains above average at 81,0%, a slight drop from 81,5%.
All the dams within Umgeni Water Supply System have slightly declined this week and they have been measured as follows; Midmar (99.5%), Nagle (88.2%), Albert-Falls (55.1%), Inanda (98.0%)and Spring Grove (100.2%).
Also experiencing a decrease this week, are dams such as Hazelmere, dropping from 52.6 last week to 51.6% this week; Woodstock Dam at 97.7%this week from 98.9% last week, Goedertrouw Dam declined from last week’s 74,7% to 74,5% and Ntshingwayo down to 79,7% from 80.2%.
Meanwhile, Spionkop remains steady at 100,0%, along with Craignburn at 100,4% and Bivane, which still stands at 99,2%.
Driel Barrage Dam located on the Tugela River is one of the two reservoirs which increased, now standing at 99.3% from last week’s 89.3%, while Pongolapoort increased a notch from 58,77% to 58.8%.
The Department of Water and Sanitation Spokesperson Sputnik Ratau reiterated the need to preserve water, adding that the Department will continue to monitor the country’s dam levels. Ratau says the decent water levels may not be a cause for concern but, that does not warrant careless use.
“The need to use water sparingly cannot be emphasized enough. The slight drop in KZN levels is not yet a cause for concern but, should it persist, interventions will be out in place to ensure preservation”, he said.
