Improved levels in Umgeni system
FOLLOWING above average spring and summer rainfall, dams levels in the Umgeni Water system are rising.
The system, which includes five dams serving the ethekwini and Msunduzi municipalities, was at a level of 62.6% this time last year.
It has now increased to 78.1%, with Midmar Dam’s level at 100.6% and Inanda Dam’s at 74.7%.
Umgeni Water spokesperson Shami Harichunder said spring and summer rain in 2017/18 was at this stage above average and exceeded rainfall in the corresponding period in 2016/17.
However, the level at Albert Falls Dam remained of concern to Umgeni Water and the Mgeni system joint operations committee that monitored and managed the distribution and supply of potable water in the Mgeni system. Harichunder said good seasonal rain had raised the levels of dams over the past four weeks, and was hopefully an indicator of more good rainfall before Kwazulunatal’s dry season began, usually in June.
According to the national Department of Water’s weekly update, dam levels had risen nationally after recent rainfall over most parts of the country. Levels increased from 77.6% last week to 80.6% this week, it said. That benefited almost all the provinces,with the exception of the Western Cape, where water levels remained dangerously low at under 20%.
For Kwazulu-natal, overall statistics improved from 64.7% last week to 64.9% this week. Albert Falls
Inanda Dam
Mearns Dam
Midmar Dam
Nagle Dam
Spring Grove Dam Hazelmere Dam Henley Dam
Ixopo Dam
EJ Smith Dam Nungwane Dam Umzinto Dam Dam 50.57 76.83 110.92 100.53
92.25 100.29 74.66 103.35 111.35 100.05 101.01 100.28
Umgeni Water’s annual tariff increase for bulk potable water comes into effect in July.
The increase amounts to 13.7% or an average of R7.034 per unit and it coincides with the start of Umgeni Water’s financial year, said Harichunder.
The tariff increase was approved by the minister of water and sanitation in March.