Water and Sanitation urges South Africa to use water sparingly as water levels continue to drop

Let us use water sparingly, as the country’s water levels continue to drop
South Africans need to use water sparingly, particularly during this Spring season which is characterized by high water consumption by the users, especially considering the sizzling temperatures and late rainfall. This season has also affected the country’s dam levels that are on a continuous descent due to high temperatures in various parts of the country. The weekly report issued by the Department of Water and Sanitation has indicated a slight decline of the water levels in the reservoirs of the country to 87.6% this week, as compared to last week’s 88.1%. This is however an improvement from last year’s 78.3% national average mark currently.
The Departmental Spokesperson, Mr Sputnik Ratau has called on the residents to continue to be prudent with their water usage. “There is a concern of the declining water levels in the country’s dams, and the recurring power cuts also exacerbate the challenge of water shortages in various parts of the country. Therefore, we call on communities to use water with caution and reduce their consumption. This is to ensure that the available water is used by most people and there is continuous water flow from the taps, without undue pressure on systems”, said Mr Ratau.
Most of the country’s Water Supply Systems are on a downward spiral week on week. The Integrated Vaal River System, the biggest System in the country, which is comprised of 14 dams with catchments in four provinces, namely Free State, Northern Cape, Mpumalanga, and North West, as well as the Kingdom of Lesotho through the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, has seen a decline from last week’s 92.0% to 91.6% this week. The IVRS is also critical as it includes the Vaal Dam which supplies water to Gauteng province. Polokwane Water Supply System is also on a decline at 93.5% this week, compared to last week’s 94.3%.
However, there is some improvement in the Water Supply Systems of the Eastern Cape. Butterworth Water Supply System is still at high levels with 100.2 this week, a slight improvement from last week’s 100.1%. Amathole Water Supply System has however suffered a decline registering 91.9% this week, a regression from last week’s 92.2%. Algoa Water Supply System is still at a very low level registering 19.2% this week.
Mr Ratau further said some Water Supply Systems are at their high levels but stagnant. Klipplaat Water Supply System which supplies the Sarah District Municipality is at its full capacity of 100.5%, an improvement from last week’s 100.1%.
Eastern Cape water levels broadly have also experienced a slight increase with the provincial water storage level at 73.9% this week, up from last week’s 72.9%.
Mr Ratau continued to encourage the residents to use water sparingly, particularly in Nelson Mandela Bay, which is facing a serious challenge of the taps running dry due to dwindling water levels in the water supply system if there is no positive response from water users.
“Despite the figures showing an improvement in the Eastern Cape Province, it is known that the province is experiencing water supply challenges particularly in Nelson Mandela Bay. We continue to make an appeal to the community of Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan and the surrounding areas to double their efforts to reduce their water usage and to save water”, said Mr Ratau.
Other provinces that have experienced a decline in the water levels this week include Free State from 94.1% to 93.5%, Limpopo from 82.9% to 82.4%, Gauteng from 97.6% to 96.5%, Mpumalanga from 89.3% to 88.7%, North West from 70.4% to 69.29% and Northern Cape from 94.7% to 94.4%.
Western Cape has also experienced a slight decrease to 71.1% this week from last week’s 72.2%. The dam levels in the Western Cape were standing at 82.5% last year at this time, meaning there is a marked comparative decline. “Cape Town Water Supply System with dams supplying water to the City of Cape Town has also slightly decreased to 82.3% this week, compared to last week’s 83.5%,” Mr Ratau further explained.
However, other provinces have seen an improvement in their water levels this week. Gauteng has moved from 95.4%to 96.0%, but there is need to note that the province has smaller dams which fill up quicker and easier. KwaZulu-Natal has slightly moved up from 84.1% to 84.2%.
Water consumers are urged to use water sparingly as we are now in Spring season, closing in on the Summer. This is a season where water demand is high due to the high temperatures and very little or no rains. People need water to cool off during periods of scorching heat, and the country’s dam levels will also decline due to evaporation. The Department of Water and Sanitation therefore calls on everyone to use water sparingly and save water at all costs.

Source: Government of South Africa