The Water Affairs Department has indicated that recent snow and rains in the Eastern Cape has had no significant impact on improving dam levels.
In a statement, the department indicated that dam levels were still under stress.
“A significant amount of rain is required to lift them out of their situation caused by the recent drought.”
The overall average of dam levels this week is sitting at 56. 6 % compared to last week when they were at 56.1% a slight increase of 0.5 percent this week. Last year this time dam levels were at 66.3%.
The Algoa Catchment System with five dams serving the Nelson Mandela Metro dropped from 32.1% to 31.9%. The Amatole Catchment System with six dams serving Buffalo City Metro improved to a 63.0% average from 61.6% a slight increase of 1.4% Dams supplying water to the Butterworth communities are at an all-time low with Gcuwa Dam at 29.4%, Xilinxa dam at 0.3% and Toleni dam at 26.3%.
The Department of Water and Sanitation has insisted that the Eastern Cape communities continue saving water as dam levels continue largely unchanged, despite little rainfall in the recent past.