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The level of the Vaal Dam has improved this week by 3.3%, placing it over 100% mark at 110.5% as at the morning of the 19th January. This improvement is expected as it continues to rain in the inland provinces of the country.

Last week the dam stood at 105.4%, while last year at the same time it was at 71.4%, a sign that the dam was struggling last year.

The Grootdraai Dam recorded an increase from 101.8% last week to 102.3% this week. This means the levels of the dam are slightly higher by 0.1% compared to last year’s level during the same week when it was at 102.2%.

At the same time, the Bloemhof Dam has this week shown improvement from 103.1% last week to 109.0%. Moreover, the dam is healthier than the 104.8% it recorded during the same week last year.

Currently, the Sterkfontein Dam is hovering above the 100% mark. This week it is recorded at 101.9%, while last year at the same time it stood equally stronger but lesser at 96.1%. The Sterkfontein Dam is one of the 14 dams in the Integrated Vaal River System (IVRS) and is used to replenish the System in times of need.

The Mohale Dam in Lesotho recorded a slight improvement from 63.6% last week to 66.2% this week. In the comparative week last year, the dam was at a very low 26.8% and had been on a decline for months. The second highest dam in the system (IVRS) also in Lesotho, the Katse Dam is currently at 100.5%, up from 99.2% last week. During the same period last year, the dam stood 54.8%.

The IVRS itself has seen an increase this week, rising from 98.4% last week to 100.5% this week. Moreover, the present levels of the system are higher compared to the previous year at the same time when it was at 76.4%.

Noting that the level of the IVRS continues to raise, the Department of Water and Sanitation continues to call on water users to manage their water consumption and to adhere to water saving methods.

Issued by the Department of Water & Sanitation