As winter gradually seeps in, water is steadily dissipating from dams, causing the resource availability to diminish slowly.

And, to arrest this situation, the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is making an impassionate plea to consumers to please use this resource sparingly but most importantly, save it.

The core message is that all Water Service Authorities (WSAs) should implement Water Conservation and Water Demand Management strategies, while informing communities about the intended water restriction process.

Winter rainfalls are also of great concern as we have not yet had any significant rain to relieve pressure on the dams.

Water is dwindling steadily from the dams, with the prospects of another El Nino. This  means each and every drop of water should  be saved. The Western Cape Province  is experiencing severe water shortages. But, the South African Weather Services (SAWS) has already predicted that this province will experience some rainfall this month.

Based on 1 May 2017 recordings, the average dam levels (National Storage of 211 dams) have decreased slightly week on week and are down from 72.9% last week  to 72, 7% this week. This is an improvement compared with 54. 3% same time last year’s when levels were at 54.3% this same time.

The Algoa System, with 5 dams serving Nelson Mandela Bay, decreased to 40, 6% from 41, 4%. Last year the system was recorded at 79, 3%.

The Amathole System, with 6 dams serving Buffalo City, decreased from 71.4% to 70, 9%. Last year, the system was at 88, 5%.

The Bloemfontein System, with 4 dams serving mainly Mangaung, rose by 0, 3% (from 51, 2% to 51, 5%) and was at 32, 7% during the same time last year.

The Cape Town Dams System with 6 dams serving mainly City of Cape Town (CoC) decreased to 22, 3% from 22, 9%%.  The system was at 31, 7% at the same time last year. CoCT are now contemplating introducing Level 4 restrictions. The Western Cape Water Indaba will be held on 16 May 2017.

The Crocodile West System, with 6 dams serving mainly Tshwane, Madibeng and Rustenburg decreased slightly by 0.4%  (from 99, 7% to 99.3%). The system was recorded at 95, 4% during the same time last year. The Integrated Vaal River System (IVRS), with 14 dams serving mainly Gauteng Sasol and Eskom, increased by 0.1%  (from 84, 2% to 84,1%). The system was at 59.5% during the same time last year.

The Umgeni Dam System, with 5 dams serving mainly eThekwini and Msunduzi, decreased from 62, 7% to 62, 4%. The system was at 54, 5% last year during the same time.

Issued by Department of Water and Sanitation