MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) said in a media statement it is ecstatic that dam levels are rising across the Western Cape province.
The recent significant rainfalls accompanied by snow that fell in the catchments of the Western Cape have improved dam levels.
Sputnik Ratau, national spokesperson from DWS says the fact that the ground is soaked has helped the runoff from rainfall catchment areas to speedily flow into dams. "This runoff will hopefully penetrate other water systems including ground water."
Ratau said that the hydrological report of Monday, 29 June suggests a notable improvement of the Western Cape Water Supply System (WCWSS) which includes the largest dam in the province, Theewaterskloof. The levels of WCWSS are currently at 71,86% as compared to 56,46% at the same time last year.
Mossel Bay dams
Dam levels in the greater Mossel Bay area, however, have in some instances improved marginally, and in some instances have fallen markedly.
Notably the level of the Wolwedans dam, from where Mossel Bay derives the bulk of its potable water fell. This week, according to Western Cape Agriculture the dam level was at 63.8%, slightly down from 64.4% last week. When compared to this time last year, when the dam level was at 79.9%, the need for water conservation is underscored.
The Hartebeestkuil, where many farmers derive water for farming, remains at 2.5%, down from 4.8% last year.
The Ernest Robertson, a feeder dam for the Wolwedans dam is over capacity at 100.3% this week, ever so slightly down from 99.9% last week, yet still markedly better than the 48.4% recorded this time last year.
The Klipheuwel dam level is slightly up this week (56.2%) from last week (50.5%). Last time this year the dam level was at 69.5%.
Conserve water
The Western Cape receives winter rainfall and this is therefore the best time to practice water conservation initiatives, including:
• Driving down the demand and the use of municipal water
• Harvesting of rainwater
• Exploring and implementing alternate water sources
• As well as recycling and the use of groundwater.
As a way to improve water quality the department calls upon all water users to reduce water pollution.
DWS would like to thank those who are acting in a responsible manner in the use of this scarce resource. Be reminded that there are still water restrictions across the municipalities to curb excessive water use.
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