Water and Sanitation monitors Integrated Vaal River System amid changing weather conditions
Vaal River System remains resilient amid changing weather conditions
The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) continues to closely monitor the status of major water storage facilities within the Integrated Vaal River System (IVRS), with the latest State of Reservoirs Report released this week showing that the system remains in a favourable position despite minor fluctuations in reservoir levels.
The overall Integrated Vaal River System is currently at 97.7%, compared to 97.9% during the previous reporting period. Although the system has recorded a marginal decline, storage remains close to full capacity with several major dams at or above their full supply levels. The current position provides substantial water reserves to support domestic, industrial, agricultural and other socio-economic activities within areas supplied by the IVRS.
Recent rainfall experienced across parts of Gauteng and the surrounding catchments has affected the water storage levels, although combination of factors like the runoff, inflows, water consumption, evaporation, inter-basin transfers and controlled releases also did have an influence on the levels.
The Vaal Dam recorded a slight decline in its storage level, moving from 100.6% last week to 100.12% this week. Despite the marginal decrease, the dam remains above its defined Full Supply Level and continues to maintain a strong storage position. During the reporting period, the Vaal Dam recorded an inflow of 45.39 cubic metres per second (m³/s), while discharge was measured at 16.765 m³/s.
The difference between inflows and releases highlights the importance of continued operational management to maintain an appropriate balance between available storage, system requirements and water demand.
Grootdraai Dam has increased from 96.9% last week to 97.5% this week. The improvement brings the dam closer to full supply capacity and further strengthens the storage position of the IVRS.
The dam continues to provide an important contribution to the resilience of the system, with its current storage level remaining comfortably above 95%.
Bloemhof Dam has recorded a slight decline from 109.6% last week to 108.68% this week. Despite the decrease, the dam remains significantly above its defined full supply level and continues to hold substantial water reserves.
The continued high storage level at Bloemhof Dam reinforces the favourable water-resource position within the lower Vaal River system, while also underscoring the importance of carefully managing releases and inflows.
Sterkfontein Dam has remained unchanged at 98.7%, maintaining a very strong storage position and remaining close to its Full Supply Level.
The stability of the dam provides an important reserve within the broader IVRS and contributes to the reliability of water resources available to the system.
The Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) continues to play an important role in supporting the water security of the Integrated Vaal River System.
Mohale Dam has remained stable at 101.7%, maintaining storage above its defined full supply level. Its continued high storage level contributes to the availability and resilience of water resources transferred into the Vaal River System.
Katse Dam has recorded a slight decline from 80.9% last week to 80.1% this week. Despite the decrease, the dam continues to hold substantial reserves and remains an important component of the LHWP and the broader water-supply system.
The Department is mindful of the changing climate and weather conditions that can affect water-resource management. Rainfall patterns are becoming increasingly variable, while climate variability and climate change can contribute to shifts in the timing, intensity and distribution of rainfall and periods of dry weather.
The current El Niño conditions are an additional factor that may influence regional weather patterns. However, El Niño does not produce the same impacts everywhere, and its presence does not mean that a particular area will necessarily experience a specific rainfall or temperature outcome.
Members of the public are therefore urged not to interpret short-term rainfall events or temporary changes in weather as an indication of what the weather will be over the coming weeks or months. Weather and seasonal conditions can change rapidly, and rainfall can be highly uneven across catchments. Rainfall in one area may not necessarily translate into significant inflows into a particular dam.
The Department urges water users to remain alert to official weather and water-resource advisories and to avoid complacency when storage levels are high. Responsible water use remains essential, particularly as changing weather patterns, population growth, increasing demand and infrastructure pressures continue to place additional demands on water resources.
The favourable storage position of the IVRS should not lead to increased or unnecessary water consumption. Water is a finite and strategic resource, and all users have a role to play in protecting available supplies.
The Department therefore calls on households, businesses, industries, municipalities, agricultural users and other water users to continue using water efficiently and responsibly.
DWS will continue to closely monitor dam levels, rainfall, inflows, releases, evaporation and water consumption patterns across the Integrated Vaal River System. The Department will provide further updates as significant changes occur and will continue working with relevant stakeholders to support sustainable and reliable water-resource management.
For more information, contact Wisane Mavasa, Spokesperson for the Department of Water and Sanitation on 060 561 8935/ mavasaw@dws.gov.za or Maria Lebese (Gauteng DWS: Communication on 082 611 9264 / lebesem@dws.gov.za
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