KwaZulu-Natal dam levels remain steady

KwaZulu-Natal dam levels have remained steady for two consecutive weeks, maintaining above average levels at 92.0% from last week’s 92.9%. When compared to a similar period last year, the provincial storage capacity stood at 73.0%. This was revealed by a weekly report on the status of dam levels by the Department of Water and Sanitation in KwaZulu-Natal issued early this week.

Although a minimal decline has been recorded with most dams maintaining above average levels, the Department has cautioned residents to continue using water sparingly.

The Umgeni Water Supply System has decreased from 103.7% to 101.9% this week. Hazelmere Dam on the Mdloti River has declined significantly from last week’s 73.9% to 53.9% this week. The dam breached the 100%v mark in mid-April due to heavy downpours which led to flooding. This prompted the Department and water utility Umgeni Water, to release water from the dam to prevent the dam wall still under construction from flooding the gallery through anchor cable recess openings in the dam’s spillway crest which could have affected the dam’s stability.

Meanwhile, the Driel Barrage, Woodstock and Zaaihoek Dams are unmoved and remain at 86.6%, 101.7% and 90.6% respectively.

Dams in Umgeni System, Midmar (100.6%), Albert-Falls (102.1%), Nagle (101.9%) and Spring Grove (101.2%) are also at above average levels this week.

Ntshingwayo Dam on the Ngagane River has marginally declined from 81.1% recorded last week to 79.7%. Wagendrift Dam, located on the Boesmans River is at 101.4% from 103.4%.

Craigie Burn and Mearns Dams have seen a minimal decrease at 100.7% and 110.7% respectively. The dams recorded 101.3% and 125.5% last week. Pongolapoort Dam has slightly down from 86.3% to 85.8% while Hluhluwe Dam is down from 83.1% to 83.8%. On the Mhlathuze River, Goedertrouw Dam is standing at 100.2% from 100.3%. Klipfontein Dam has taken a slight dip from 101.3% to 100.7%.

The Department continues to work closely with the provincial government to implement measures to alleviate water scarcity challenges such as the effective roll out of mega water infrastructure projects through the Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant programme and the Water Services Infrastructure Grant. Residents are urged to use water sparingly and report water leaks and water infrastructure vandalism to local authorities.

Source: Government of South Africa