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Despite recording a decline this week, the Integrated Vaal River System (IVRS) remains steady and water users are encouraged to contribute to water demand management.

The IVRS consists of 14 dams and serving mainly Gauteng, Sasol and Eskom is down 0.5% to 84.1%.

The Vaal Dam has dropped by 0.5% to 96.2% this week from 96.7% last week. During the same period last year the dam was at an insignificant 38.0%.

On the downward this week is Katse Dam, which is sitting at a concerning 38.1% having dropped by 1.3% from the previous week’s 39.4%. During the same time last year, Katse dam was a little above the 50% mark at 55.4%.

For the third consecutive week, the Sterkfontein Dam remains unchanged and is currently hovering at 91.4%.  The Sterkfontein is used a storage that helps to replenish the Vaal Dam in times of distress. Compared to the previous year this time, this dam was 99.2% full.

Recording a decline this week is the Grootdraai Dam. Currently this dam is 86.8% full down by 0.8% from 87.6% last week. Last year during the same time this dam was sitting at a decent 80.1%.

By contrast, the Bloemhof has increased by 0.5% to 102.3% this week from 101.8 last week. This dam has seen a significant rise as it was at a trifling 22.4% last year during this time.

The Department of Water and Sanitation places a premium on active water conservation to keep the system secure, taking into account that the IVRS supplies water to 60% of the country’s economy and 45% of the population,

Gauteng depends on receiving water supply from the KwaZulu-Natal and the Lesotho Highlands, consumers are therefore called upon to exercise caution when using this important but depleting resource.

Issued by the Department of Water and Sanitation