The Free State’s overall water storage level across its various reservoirs has fallen significantly below that of last year during the same period. The province’s overall level stands at 85,9%, according to the Department of Water and Sanitation’s (DWS) weekly report.
In addition, the report showed that the levels of major dams supplying water to consumers were below the 87% and 90% capacity mark, while last year these were hovering at 100%.
The Gariep Dam’s level is at 87%, while this time last year it was at 98,3%. The report shows the level of the Fika-Patso Dam, one of the main dams in Qwaqwa, has dropped to 57,7% compared to this period last year, when it was at 86,6%. The other important dam in Qwaqwa, the Metsi Matso, is at 73,4% – while last year it was at 93,6% capacity.
Most dam levels have significantly dropped since September. Overall, the provincial water storage level was at 95,5% in September, while in the same term last year it stood at 98,4%.
The decrease in levels has been attributed to low rainfall and severe heat wave conditions since October.
