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The Department of Water and Sanitation has warned Gauteng water consumers to adapt to the souring weather conditions as dams forming part of the Integrated Vaal River System (IVRS) continue to shrink to lower levels.

Dams across the country have been on the receiving end of the rising temperatures and those that are part of the IVRS have not been spared. There has been a notable link between the high temperatures and above normal water usage.

The IVRS consists of 14 dams that provide water to industries and households in Gauteng. Industries that are the economic muscle of Gauteng, including Eskom and Sasol, are some of those that are heavily reliant on the IVRS for water supply.  

Despite having surged up from 69.2% last week to 69.7% this week, the IVRS is at a lesser level compared to what it was last year at the period, making it one of the systems that are negatively affected by the rising temperatures. Last year at the same time the IVRS hovered at 73.2%, slightly higher than the current level.

The Vaal Dam, which is one of the vital dams in the IVRS, has recorded an increase this week, moving from 74.0% last week to 75.2% this week. During the same period last year, the dam was at 80.4%, indicating the impact of the rising temperatures on the dam.

Equally notching up, the Grootdraai Dam has risen this week. The dam has moved to 76.0% after having been at 73.3% last week. Sitting at 101.5% last year at the same period, the dam shows a significant drop between then and now.

The Sterkfontein Dam is this week marginally lower than it was last week. The dam recorded a trivial decrease from 94.1% last week to 94.0% this week. At the same time last year, the same floated at 94.2%.

The Bloemhof Dam has seen an improvement this week, climbing up from 61.1% last week to 61.8% this week. Despite this increase, the dam still remains lower when compared to the 76.8% at which it stood at the same time last year.

Continuing to decrease to below the neutral 50% mark, the Mohale Dam shrunk this week. The dam is currently floating at 40.8%, dropping slightly from 40.9% last week. Last year at the same time the dam was in an equally concerning state at 39.2%

Not far behind the Mohale Dam, the Katse Dam remains in a stagnant state that has not improved over an extended period of time. Presently, the dam is at an insignificant 18.2% regardless of it having moved up from 17.8% last week. Compared to last year at the same period, the dam was at 21.4%

Given the drop in the IVRS, the Department is encouraging water consumers to play an active part in water conservation by consciously taking steps to reduce their usage.  The Department places a premium on the consumers exercising caution on their water usage and saving as much as possible.

Issued by the Department of Water & Sanitation