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The increasing temperatures have had adverse impact on Gauteng dam levels as most of them continue to decrease week-on-week, affecting the Integrated Vaal River System (IVRS).

The IVRS has slipped marginally from 81.2% last week to 80.5% this week. When compared with last year at the same period, the system was at 76.2% and currently stands a satisfactory level.

The system is made up of 14 dams that provide water to industries and households in Gauteng. Furthermore, the system is a major driver for the economic prospect of the continent and is responsible for supplying two of Gauteng’s economic heavy weights, Eskom and Sasol.

After having dropped weekly, the Vaal Dam, which the key dam to the system, has this week gone up from 92.0 last week to 90.7%. At the same time last year the dam was hovering at an impressive 86.7%, a level that is lower when compared with this week’s.

Sliding lower this week, the Grootdraai Dam has gone down from 83.9% last week to 82.7% this week. During the same period last year the dam was hovering at 79.1%.

Similarly, the Katse Dam has recorded a decline this week. The dam has moved downward from 53.3% last week to 52.4% this week. Compared to the same period last year the dam was hovering at a mere 26.4%.

The Sterkfontein Dam has seen a negligible decrease, falling from 94.9% to 94.8%. From last year this dam has maintained higher levels as it hovered at 92.7%.

Despite a decline this week from 96.5% last week to 95.4% this week, the Bloemhof Dam remains consistently higher at a firm level. Last year during the same time the dam was at 93.8%.

The Mohale Dam is experiencing a decline weekly. After having been at a trivial 22.9% last week, the dam moved further down to a concerning level and is now standing at 22.3%. Last year at the same period stood just higher the 50% mark at 59.7%.

In light of the temperatures progressively rising to higher levels, it is expected that the system would continue to decline. Although it is currently in a healthy level due to water saving efforts during the winter season, the Department of Water and Sanitation’s Gauteng Region urges consumers to not excessively use the depleting resources. Consumers across the province are called upon to use water saving tips provided by local municipalities to contain water use to a bare minimum.

Issued by the Department of Water & Sanitation