Parts of Eastern Cape emerge from drought, but Gqeberha…

Department of Water and Sanitation spokesperson Sputnik Ratau said last Thursday that the weekly report of dam levels in the Eastern Cape showed a minimal increase from the previous week’s 61.1% to 62.4% last week.

“Despite the positive impact of the rainfall, dams on the western side of the province are still below average, with some remaining empty. The Algoa Water Supply System is sitting at 19.1% this week compared to 18.9% last week. Kouga Dam is at 17.7% this week compared to 17.7% recorded in the previous week. When compared to a similar period last year, the dam stood at 9.1%. Impofu Dam has remained at a low 14.9%,” he said.

Ratau said the Amathole Water Supply System serving the areas of Buffalo City Metro and Amathole District Municipality had improved drastically from 43.8% last week to 53.5% this week.

“This is a result of the rainfall over the past few weeks, impacting positively on water levels in several dams within the district. As such, the Nahoon Dam is full at 101% this week compared to 61.4% last week, Bridle Drift Dam has also improved at 55.9% this week compared to 43.3% last week and Rooikrantz Dam has remained unchanged at last week’s 100.5%,” Ratau said.

He said that the Klipplaat Water Supply System was above average, recording 87.7% from the previous week’s 85.9%.

“The Waterdown Dam has improved at 100.2% this week from 99.6% last week and 19.2% in the previous year. Remaining unchanged is the Macubeni Dam at last week’s 100% and Tsojana Dam also at 100%,” he said.

Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality

The Churchill Dam is 27.6% full, Groendal Dam is at 30.7% and Loerie Dam 72%.

Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality, in its water update, said during the past two weeks, tourists and visitors in the city had caused additional demand for water.

The metro stated that although the city had received rain recently and the average dam levels had risen to just below 19%, with the relentless drought some restrictions remain in place.

“January to March is generally the hottest and driest period in the city and the dam catchment areas; therefore reducing water consumption to essential use is extremely critical. This position has also been confirmed by the South African Weather Service in terms of the weather predictions for the region,” read the update.

Chris Hani District 

Chris Hani District Municipality (CHDM) spokesperson Bulelwa Ganyaza said consistent rainfall across the district since December had brought about much-needed relief as water sources (underground, streams and dams) had significantly increased volumes.

“This is a much welcome difference compared to the dire state of our water sources at the same time in 2021 which exerted pressure on the water service provision, as the district municipality operates a number of water schemes which are highly dependent on underground water (boreholes)…