Water and Sanitation on KwaZulu-Natal dam levels

KwaZulu-Natal dam levels record a minimal decline this week

A weekly dam levels report issued by the Department of Water and Sanitation this week shows a minimal decline of dam levels in KwaZulu-Natal, from last week’s 88.1% to 87.7%. The Department has cautioned residents to continue using water sparingly and reiterated that the minimal decline is not a course for concern.

“The decline in the overall storage capacity of the province should not alarm residents. We say this because the Umgeni Water Supply System, which is the main system in the province, has been standing at the above average percentage of 101.5% for two weeks,” said the Department’s spokesperson Sputnik Ratau.

Ratau said when compared to a similar period last year, the System stood at 82.8%. He further added that the average percentage recorded for the overall dams in the province this time last year was slightly lower at 67.2%.

The Midmar Dam which is within the Umgeni System has declined from 100.6% to 98.9% while the Hluhluwe Dam is also slightly lower but still below average at 70.0% from 71.4%. Also seeing a decline is the Driel Barrage Dam from 99.3% to 86.6%. The Woodstock Dam on the Tugela River is down from 94.5% to 88.5%, meanwhile the Zaaihoek Dam remain at 90.6%.

“Most of the province’s dams are below average, although on a somewhat downward spiral. Almost below average is the Hazelmere Dam at 53.3%. Comparative to last year during a similar period, the Dam stood at 53.8%,” Ratau said.

He said the Department is fast tracking the completion of the Hazelmere Dam wall raising to supplement water supply to the rapidly increasing urban and industrial water usage in the North Coast.

“The completion of this project will also increase water availability to areas such as Verulam, Groutville, Blythedale and Ballito in KwaDukuza District,” Ratau added.

“On Thursday, 17 March, we will get a progress report on the how the raising of the dam wall is going and when the project will be completed. It is for this reason that we have invited members of the media to also be a part of this in order to get a first-hand account of the progress being made and to also ensure accountability from the side of the Department,” he said.

The Department has reiterated its commitment to conclude bulk water projects in the province, while working closely with its entities and all the other spheres of government to ensure water security in the province and across the country.

Source: Government of South Africa