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A weekly Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) summary on water storage has revealed that water levels in Free State Province have remarkably increased to 76.2% this week, a 3.6% improvement from last week’s 72.6%.
This increase of water storage levels is due to prolonged rainfall experienced in most parts of the province, although other major provincial dams are still not at reasonable capacity levels as compared to levels recorded same time last year.
In comparison to last year, the province’s water storage stood at 96.3% at this time.
Gariep Dam has moved from 71.9% to 75.4 % this week, but it is still a low percentage as it is compared to last year’s 102.8% during this time. Vanderkloof Dam also recorded overflow capacity at 105.0% last year this time, but it is currently sitting at 75.3% this week, a slight decrease from 76.8% last week. Fika-Patso Dam, situated in Namahadi River is sitting at 55.9% this week, a slight increase from last week’s 54.6%. Last year at this time, the dam stood at 76.5%.
Krugersdrift Dam has remained unchanged with 63.9% this week. This is a low level as compared to last year’s 99.3% this week. Sterkfontein Dam reached has also remained unchanged at 98.3% this week. The dam recorded 100.1% last year at this time. Rustfontein Dam has suffered a slight decline from last week’s 47.5% to 47.0% this week. The dam was soaring at 98.2% capacity last year at this time.
The recent rainfall in the province has also affected water storage capacity in the province’s municipal districts positively this week, with Thabo Mofutsanyane District remaining unchanged and sitting comfortably at 97.6% this week. Fezile Dabi District has improved from 82.5% to 85.5% level this week. Last year at this time, the district recorded 100.1%.
Xhariep District has moved from last week’s 73.6% to 75.1% this week. It was also at a full capacity with 103.3% last year at this time.
Lejweleputswa District has surged from 67.7% to 70.9% this week. A low level as compared to last year’s 93.3% at this time. Mangaung Metro has marginally declined from 67.4% to of 67.1% capacity this week. as compared to last year same time of 98.3%.
Despite an improvement of the water storage levels this week due to summer rainfall in Free State province, the Department of Water and Sanitation calls for continuous water conservation measures from the water users, both at domestic and industrial levels.
