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The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Water and Sanitation calls on residents to use water sparingly as the winter season approaches.
This comes as the weekly report of dams’ status reflected a marginal increase from last week’s 72.1% to 72.4% this week. According to the Department, when compared to a similar period last year, the province’s dam levels stood at 60.9%
Currently, the Umgeni Water Supply System, with dams supplying water to the eThekwini Metro and surrounding, has increased from 82.8% to 83.1%; this time last year, it recorded 69.8%.
Despite this, the Department has since called on residents to use water prudently as it is anticipating that the winter dry season will have a significant impact on water levels.
Spokesperson for the Department, Sputnik Ratau, explains, “We have some districts which are still experiencing the effects of drought and this is a major concern for the Department.”
He elaborates by pointing out these districts include the Uthukela, Umzinyathi, Amajuba, Zululand, Uthungulu and Umgungundlovu areas—adding that the Department has several ongoing short, medium and long-term interventions designed to mitigate drought effects in those districts.
“One of the short-term measures is ensuring that the water tanks we provided this time last year, are always filled up with water in order to enable communities who continue to experience inconsistent water supply to have water,” he says.
In addition, Ratau highlights that one of the province’s largest dams, Albert-Falls has marginally increased from last week’s 52.3% to 52.4%. Meanwhile, the Nagle Dam has declined from 85.3% to 83.4%.
Inanda Dam is down from 101.1% to 100.7%. Midmar Dam is at 100.5% from 100.1%, while Hazelmere Dam has increased from 53.8% to 54.2%.
Here’s a look at this week’s dam level status in some KwaZulu-Natal dams:
| DAM | Status last week | Status this week |
|---|---|---|
| Klipfontein | 100.0% | 100.5% |
| Woodstock | 95.7% | 95.7% |
| Spioenkop | 100.1% | 100.1% |
| Hluhluwe | 100.1% | 101.4% |
| Zaaihoek | 82.1% | 82.1% |
| Wagendrift | 100.8% | 100.8% |
| Spring Grove | 85.3% | 87.5% |
| Bivane | 101.0% | 101.3% |
| Ntshingwayo | 86.9% | 89.3% |
| Pongolapoort | 55.5% | 55.7% |
| Driel Barrage | 95.0% | 90.3% |
| Mearns | 80.1% | 101.0% |
| Goedertrouw | 74.4% | 74.5% |
With the Department of Water and Sanitation calling on KZN residents to use water frugally, be sure to do your part in avoiding water wastage.
