Torrential rains improve dam water levels

Vast parts of the country have been soaked with torrential rains that have changed the water situation drastically in recent weeks, SA's water department says.

“The heavy downpours have increased Gauteng dam levels by 5% from 91.7% to 96.1% since the beginning of December,” said department spokesperson Sputnik Ratau.

“The increased levels, which include the Vaal Dam, will bring much-needed relief to Gauteng water users who were worried about the state of low levels of the dam at the beginning of summer.”

The Free State tops the charts with its week-on-week dam level improvement, captured at 72.4% this week. This is a 7% increase compared to the same period last year when the dams stood at 65.2%.

In Eastern Cape, rain improved the province’s dam levels after months of dry conditions that left most regions scrambling for water. After plunging below half for several months, local dams this week were at 51% of capacity.

Said Ratau: “The latest weekly report by the department of water & sanitation shows that for the past two weeks dam levels have been on the rise at 1% a week. And with more rains expected in the run-up to Christmas, it is likely that the levels may reach 55% and beyond, which will be remarkable.”

Mpumalanga dams recorded a 1% rise, week-on-week. This week local dams improved their intake from 63.4% to 64.4%.

In KwaZulu-Natal, the dry regions of Zululand and uMkhanyakude are receiving regular rainfall that have drastically improved their situation.

Northern Cape and North West have also benefited. The former recorded a whopping 7% increase from 87.7% to 94.2%. North West improved from 63.4% to 64.1%.

Two provinces have been the exception, though.

Limpopo dropped slightly from 56.1% to 55.8% this week.

“The situation in Mopani and Mogalakwena districts is a great source of concern as some dams are scraping the bottom ... The MiddleLetaba Dam, which registered a measly 0.7% this week, the same as it was a week ago. The dam supplies Giyani and its sprawling villages.”

Glen Alpine Dam, which supplies several towns in the Waterberg District, including Mokopane, dropped from 6.5% 5.7% this week.

However, the SA Weather Service predicted thundershowers for most parts of the province, giving hope that the water situation might improve by the end of the week.

In the Western Cape, total dam levels dropped from 77.2% to 76% this week. However, the figure reflects a 16% improvement compared with the corresponding period last year, he said.

In Eastern Cape, after months of dry conditions that left most regions scrambling for wate, dams are at 51%