The Eastern Cape has recorded a marginal increase in its provincial water storage this week as a result of recent rain.
A weekly state of reservoirs report, issued by the Department of Water and Sanitation, showed that the water stored in the province’s reservoirs slightly improved from last week’s 50.5% to 50.8% this week.
“Even though the province has experienced an increase, most dams in the province remain critically low and concerted efforts are needed to save the available water until the province fully recovers from drought,” said Sputnik Ratau, director of media liaison for the Department of Water and Sanitation.
The Mzimvubu-Tsitsikamma catchment area has recorded a meagre rise to 50.5% last week from 50.2% the previous week. The Amathole Water Supply System has taken a further knock, declining from 32.3% to 30.0%. One of the dams in the system, Gcuwa Dam, experienced a major drop, going further down to 37.3% from 48.5% the previous week. Nahoon Dam dropped from 31.0% to 29.9% and Laing Dam being the only dam in the system that recorded a rise, increasing from 96.0% to 98.7%.
“In its efforts to ensure water security in the province, the department is implementing projects through its Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant. One of the projects currently underway is the Ngqamakhwe-Tsomo pipeline, which will transfer water from the Tsomo River to Butterworth.
“Work on the Nooitgedagt Water Project in Nelson Mandela Bay is also underway and it is a long-term project that is set to address water challenges in the area,” Ratau said.
DWS appealed to water users to be circumspect in their consumption of water and remember that the Eastern Cape was still battling with drought effects and it would take time to recover.
