THE latest data made available by the Department of Water Affairs in the Eastern Cape paints a bleak figure of the increasingly worsening drought conditions and dropping dam levels in the province.
The Waterdown Dam, currently the main source of the water supply to the Enoch Mgijima Local Munciipality area, is at 63.8%, compared to 100% at the same time last year.
The Xonxa Dam in the Cacadu area, a future water supply source for said area, is at 96.4%, on par with last year’s level of 96.2%.
The Wriggleswade Dam near Stutterheim is at 70.2%, down significantly from 88.5% in 2016.
The Commandodrift Dam near Tarkastad is at 38.2%, down from 54.5 at the same time last year.
Good news is that the Ncora Dam, fed by the Tsomo river, is at 82.3%, well up from the 47.9% of last year.
The average level of dams in the province is at 56.8%, down from 65.8% in 2016.