IN CONVERSATION WITH WISANE MAVASA Spokesperson for the Department of Water and Sanitation
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Water levels across Gauteng have remained stable this week, according to
the Department of Water and Sanitation’s (DWS) latest weekly report on the
state of the country’s reservoirs. The Vaal Dam, a key source of water for the
province, continues to show steady levels, recording 107.69%, a slight
decrease from last week’s 108.5%.
This marginal decline comes after the Department closed all sluice gates at
the Vaal Dam, a move aimed at stabilising water levels. The inflow of water
into the dam has also decreased, now at 77.27 cubic metres per second
(m³/s), down from 112.81 m³/s the previous week.
In line with the closure, the outflow from the dam has been significantly
reduced. The current discharge rate stands at 16.765 m³/s—sharply down
from 147.71 m³/s recorded last week. The reduced outflow reflects ongoing
efforts by the Department to manage the dam's levels more conservatively
and sustainably.
Meanwhile, the broader Integrated Vaal River System (IVRS), which supplies
water to most of Gauteng, has remained stable and even shown a slight
improvement—rising from 102.7% to 102.9%. All key dams within the IVRS
continue to maintain safe and sustainable levels.
Performance highlights from the IVRS this week include:
Sterkfontein Dam: Up slightly from 100.0% to 100.1%.
Grootdraai Dam: Eased from 102.6% to 102.1%.
Bloemhof Dam: Marked a more significant increase from 102.2% to
104.8%.
Despite minor fluctuations, these dams remain well above critical thresholds,
reinforcing the system’s resilience and capacity to support the province’s
water needs.
Positive trends are also being recorded in Lesotho, where dams that form
part of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project are contributing to the system’s
strength.
the Department of Water and Sanitation’s (DWS) latest weekly report on the
state of the country’s reservoirs. The Vaal Dam, a key source of water for the
province, continues to show steady levels, recording 107.69%, a slight
decrease from last week’s 108.5%.
This marginal decline comes after the Department closed all sluice gates at
the Vaal Dam, a move aimed at stabilising water levels. The inflow of water
into the dam has also decreased, now at 77.27 cubic metres per second
(m³/s), down from 112.81 m³/s the previous week.
In line with the closure, the outflow from the dam has been significantly
reduced. The current discharge rate stands at 16.765 m³/s—sharply down
from 147.71 m³/s recorded last week. The reduced outflow reflects ongoing
efforts by the Department to manage the dam's levels more conservatively
and sustainably.
Meanwhile, the broader Integrated Vaal River System (IVRS), which supplies
water to most of Gauteng, has remained stable and even shown a slight
improvement—rising from 102.7% to 102.9%. All key dams within the IVRS
continue to maintain safe and sustainable levels.
Performance highlights from the IVRS this week include:
Sterkfontein Dam: Up slightly from 100.0% to 100.1%.
Grootdraai Dam: Eased from 102.6% to 102.1%.
Bloemhof Dam: Marked a more significant increase from 102.2% to
104.8%.
Despite minor fluctuations, these dams remain well above critical thresholds,
reinforcing the system’s resilience and capacity to support the province’s
water needs.
Positive trends are also being recorded in Lesotho, where dams that form
part of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project are contributing to the system’s
strength.