Recent Rains Boost Dam Levels Across SA

The Water and Sanitation Department said the recent rains in the country have made a significant impact on water levels particularly the national average.

In a statement on Thursday, the department said water stored in the country’s reservoirs is at 88.7% this week, an upsurge from 84.6% last week. 

The department said in Gauteng, the Integrated Vaal River System, with 14 dams, has recorded a meaningful increase, moving from 91% last week to 95.7% this week. 

“The system was notably boosted by dams such as the iconic Vaal Dam, which is stable at 103.4%. The reserve dam, Sterkfontein, is equally full at 100.8%.” 

However, the department said the Algoa Water Supply System in the Eastern with five dams supplying water to Nelson Mandela Bay and surrounding areas, is still struggling to recover at 17.9%.

In KZN, dams in Umgeni Water Supply System such as Spring Groove recorded (78.5%), Inanda (83.6%), Midmar (88.3%) and Nagle (92.2%) – which make them stable.

As a result, the system is equally stable at 73.2%.

The department said it is also aware of communities facing water shortages due to various challenges faced by Water Service Authorities.