Water levels at the Free State’s dams fell from 82.0% to 81.6% last week. The decline is dramatic compared to last year’s level at this time, which was 96.8%, according to the weekly hydrological report released by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS).
Lack of rainfall is a contributing factor to the drop in water levels in most parts of the province during the winter season. DWS continues to urge citizens in the province to conserve water.
Most district councils in the Free State have also experienced a decline in their water levels. Mangaung Metro dropped from 87.0% last week to 86.8% this week. A further decline from 96.7% at this time last year.
The Bloemfontein Water Supply System, which consists of four dams that supply water to Mangaung and surrounding areas, has dropped slightly from 85.7% last week to 85.4% this week.
“The Free State’s major dams are also showing a decline in water levels. The Krugersdrift Dam is unchanged at 92.5% this week, down from 100.4% last year. The Gariep Dam is down 77.0% from 77.8% last week. This time last year it was 95.9%. The Vanderkloof Dam is down slightly this week from 99.9% to 98.8%. This time last year it was 99.6%,” the DPW report said.
According to the report, this could be a major problem for the surrounding communities, but also for the agricultural sector that depends on these large dams as a source of water supply.
The Department of Water and Sanitation is urging residents and the farming community to use water wisely. As South Africa continues to face water scarcity, every water user must step up their water conservation efforts to ensure the sustainability of this finite resource in the province.
Compiled by Phalimo Moeketsi
Bloemfontein Courant
www.bloemfonteincourant.co.za
