The consistency in rainfall during December 2021 has had an indelible
impact on water sources around the Chris Hani District Municipality (CHDM) area.
CHDM spokesperson Bulelwa Ganyaza
said the difference in volumes was a welcomed addition following the dire situation experienced by the area during the same period of the previous year.
“The situation exerted pressure on water service
provision as the District Municipality operates a number of water schemes which
are highly dependent on boreholes and rivers,” Ganyaza said.
She added that in the Enoch Mgijima Municipal area, Waterdown dam is at 100%
compared to 19.7% in January 2021, Carnavon dam in Sterkstroom and Paradise dam
in Molteno are both at 100%, while Bonkolo dam in Komani is standing at 66%.
In Emalahleni Local Municipality, Macubeni dam in Cacadu is at 100%, Munnik dam in Dordrecht at 50%, Doornrivier in Indwe at 91.83% and
Xonxa dam which currently augments water supply to Komani at 100%.
Ganyaza said the Sakhisizwe Municipal area also saw Thompson
dam in Khowa (Elliot) increase to 100%.
“Cala and Engcobo areas, which
highly depend on springs and rivers, have seen improved to satisfactory levels.
Equally the Middelberg area which has underground water as its main source has seen increase in yields.”
Ganyaza said Ncora and Tsojana dam were both at 100% and Lubisi
at 80.8%.
She said the district authority would however like to caution communities and motorists to be mindful of the effects
of the rain including flash floods. These, Ganyaza said, could pose a threat to
drowning and overflowing rivers that may affect those residing in flood line and
the state of roads.
“In areas where scheduled water restrictions were
introduced as a result of water shortage due to drought, these will get a
relief. Where restrictions were in place due to the capacity of water
infrastructure, they will continue as massive urbanisation has resulted in our
infrastructure put under pressure,” Ganyaza said.
