Heavy rainfall boosts dam levels

THE heavy rains in Kwazulunatal this week pushed up the levels of some dams, but restrictions remain in place.

Levels of dams under the Umgeni system including Midmar, Albert Falls, Spring Grove, Mearns, Nagle, and Inanda Dam all remain under 100% full.

The manager of Umgeni Water, Shami Harichunder, said the amount of rainfall received at Midmar and Albert Falls was disappointing as these dams require significant amounts to lift them out of their situation of stress caused by below-average rainfall over a four-year period.

“The largest of the systems in Umgeni Water operational area, Mgeni, still remains under stress,” he said. “Of concern to Umgeni Water is the consistently low level of Albert Falls, which is the largest dam in the Umgeni Water operational area.

“This dam is dependent, in part, on Midmar to rise sharply. Midmar has to overflow for the level of Albert Falls to increase or there has to be significant rainfall in its catchment,” said Harichunder.

The amount of rainfall received had pushed up the level of Hazelmere Dam by 14.43% to 114.5% as of Thursday. Further north, at Maphumulo, imvutshane Dam was at 101.35%.

The dams under the Umzinto system in the south coast, Amanzimtoti, Mtwalume, Umzinto and Mhlabatshane are also at levels in excess of 100%.

He said the mandatory 15% water restrictions would remain in areas that receive water from the Umgeni system, which are umgungundlovu, Pietermaritzburg and Durban (except Verulam, Waterloo, Sea Tides and Tongaat).