Use water sparingly – country’s water levels on a continual decline

As we face an energy crisis and high interest rates, the country’s water levels are on a continual decline.

WATER LEVELS DECLINE BUT MODERATELY

The decline is moderate, as compared to the same period last week. According to the Department of Water and Sanitation, the overall storage capacity of the country’s reservoirs is at 92.9%.

“This is a small margin reduction from last week’s 93.1%, and a significant improvement from last year’s 82.7%,” said spokesperson Sputnik Ratau.

But seven of the country’s nine provinces have recorded downward water levels. These include Eastern Cape from 70% to 69.9%, KwaZulu-Natal from 89.7% to 89.4%. The Free State also made the list, dipping slightly from 100.7% to 100.3%, said Ratau.

“The North West from 81% to 80.7% and the Northern Cape from 108.8% to 107.3%.”

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EASTERN CAPE WATER LEVELS THE WORST

Nelson Mandela Bay metropolitan municipality is among the lowest and worst levels of water. The metro recorded a slight increase this week at 14.9% as compared to 14.8% last week. The metro is supplied by the Algoa Water Supply System.

Kouga Dam, which also supplies Nelson Mandela Bay, remains unchanged at a low 16.5%.

Groendal Dam on the Zwartkops River near Uitenhage, recorded a lower 20.9% from last week’s 21%.

The Amathole water supply system, also in the Eastern Cape, declined from 76.2% to 74.7%, said Ratau.

ALSO READ: Nelson Mandela Bay: Over 10k households to face water restrictions

OTHER DECLINING WATER SYSTEMS

Other water systems which are declining this week include Bloemfontein, from 99.1% to 98%. This is followed by Orange water system in the Northern Cape, which dropped from 99.2% to 99%.

“The biggest water supply system, Integrated Vaal River System, supplying 14 dams, dipped from 100.1% to 99.7%.”

Sputnik Ratau

It was only the Western Cape and the Gauteng provinces which saw an increase. The provinces went up from 62.8% to 63.2% and 100.2% to 100.7% respectively. Mpumalanga and Limpopo remained unmoved, at 95.2% and 88.2% respectively, said Ratau.

Residents living in the affected areas are urged to use water sparingly, at least until October.

“The Department of Water and Sanitation continues to urge the public to save and use water sparingly to ensure that the available water doesn’t run out before another rainy season kicks in, which is anticipated to be in October,” said Ratau.

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