The levels of the Integrated Vaal River System (IVRS) have slightly improved this week following weeks of uncertainty as the system persisted to drop, striking fear in the hearts of water consumers in the Gauteng Province.

Although marginal, the increase in the IVRS shines a ray of hope that the recent rainfalls in Gauteng and other parts of the country will contribute towards raising levels of dams that have been under stress.

Presently, the IVRS is standing at 67.7% up from 67.2% last week. At the same period last year, the system stood at a remarkable 90.1%. The current levels of the system bear testimony to the fact that the system has been continuously falling.

Contributing to the rise of the IVRS, the Bloemhof Dam increased this week, moving up from 56.1% to 58.4% last week. However, both this week’s and last week’ levels indicate a gap of almost 50% as last year at the same period the dam recorded a firm 103.8%.

By contrast, the Vaal Dam, which is one of the backbones of the IVRS, as well as the Grootdraai Dam, took a knock this week.

The Vaal Dam took a notch down this week, falling from 68.6% last week to 68.5% this week. In the comparative period last year, the dam floated at 105.6%. The decline in the dam has been attributed to the combined effects of souring temperatures, excessive water usage and fewer than normal rainfalls during the summer period.

The Grootdraai Dam, which remains at decent levels, also saw a negligible fall in its levels, recording a fall from 81.0% last week to 80.5% this week and down from a recorded 100.7% last year.

Likewise, the Sterkfontein Dam edged down this week, recording 93.4% after having been floating at 93.5% last week. This dam remains steady as shown by in its levels last year at the same period when it stood firmly at 95.7%.

On the contrary, one of the dams that have a constant concern, the Katse Dam, has recorded an increase this week. The Dam rose slightly from 32.4% last week to 32.6% this week. This upswing does not restore hope that it will rise to decent levels any time soon. During the same period the dam was at 67.5%.

The Mohale Dam similarly saw an upturn this week despite being an insignificant one. The dam rose from 23.9% to 26.6% while during the comparative period last year the dam hovered at 37.1%

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) in Gauteng is calling on water users in Gauteng to take advantage of the current rainfalls to harvest water to provide a respite to the IVRS. This is moreover important as the province is moving ever so closer to the winter season where rainfall chances are few and far in between.

The Department is also cautioning water users to exercise caution as rain is wreaking havoc in other parts of the country, causing fatalities and damaging property.

 

Issued by the Department of Water & Sanitation