The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) in the Eastern Cape has
expressed concern over the declining water levels in the Nelson Mandela Bay
Municipality, while reiterating its commitment to fast-track bulk water
projects in the province.
This comes as a weekly report on the status of dam
levels showed a further decline of the Algoa Water Supply System, which supplies
water in the Metro and surrounding areas, emptying from 14.4% to 14,1%.
Kromrivier Dam is at a low 16.8% from last week’s 17.7%, Impofu
Dam, which is supplied by the Algoa Water System stands at 11.4% from 11.6% and Kouga
Dam is down from 14.3% to 14.0%. Groendal Dam on the Swartkops River is also
below average at 25.1% from 25.8%.
“The declining water levels in the Nelson Mandela Metro is of a
grave concern to us and it is for this reason that we are working around the
clock to ensure that bulk water projects are fast-tracked to bring the
much-needed relief in the Metro,” said the Department’s spokesperson, Sputnik
Ratau.
Adding to this, Ratau said that Phase 3 of the Nooitgedacht Water
Scheme is one of the many projects augmenting water supply in the Metro and
surrounds. Phase 3 of the Scheme is complete and delivering about 190 megalitres
of water per day, of which 70 megalitres is being transferred through the
Stanford Road Booster Pump Station to the Western areas.
Meanwhile, the Amathole Water Supply System, which feeds six dams,
has marginally increased from 61.9% to 65.0%. Laing Dam is above average at
102.2% from 101.1%, Rooikrantz Dam is at 100.5% from 100.6% and Bridle Drift
Dam has marginally increased from 62.5% to 65.3%. While most dams on the System are
supplying water to the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, the Department
has cautioned residents against reckless water use.
“We urge members of the community to use water sparingly in order
to avoid the dire situation faced by the Nelson Mandela Metro residents. We
call on them to report water leaks and infrastructure vandalism to their local
authorities,” Ratau pleaded.
Ratau said that the effects of climate change have made weather
patterns extremely unpredictable, citing the Butterworth Water Supply System as
example, which presently stands at 99.9%, down from last week’s 100.1%.
“You will note that this time last year, the system recorded a low
24.7% which really proves that indeed, water is a precious commodity, and it
should be valued,” he said.
Gcuwa Dam, which is part of the Butterworth Water Supply System, is
100.0% from 108.1% while Xilinxa Dam remains at 100% and Toleni Dam increases
from 91.0% to 94.2%.
“South Africa is a water scarce country, we therefore reiterate
our plea to members of the public to use water sparingly, especially as we are
approaching the winter season,” Ratau concluded.
Issued by the
Department of Water & Sanitation
