THE dams in the Chris Hani district is under severe pressure, the Water Affairs Department has warned.
In a statement earlier today, spokesman Sputnik Ratau said the Eastern Cape had not experienced any significant rainfalls for weeks at the beginning of Spring.
“The average dam levels of the Eastern Cape are sitting at 55.0% compared to 64.1% at this time of the year in 2016.”
Our major water supply systems like Algoa and Amathole are almost close to empty and there are no signs of good rains to boost them. Algoa Water Supply System serving the Nelson Mandela Bay is hovering at 31.2% this week a considerable decline compared to 71.6% this time of last year. Amathole Water Supply System serving Buffalo City Metro this week is at 60.0%, compared to 79.5% last year.
Dams in the Chris Hani District are under tremendous stress such as Oxkraal which is sitting at 27.8% this week, Ncora Dam is at 79.5%, Tsojana at 90.1% and Gubu at 89.3%, all these decline are caused by lack of rain in the Province. Amathole District dams, especially in areas like Butterworth, are continuing to decline daily. Xilinxa Dam in Butterworth is sitting at 0.2%.
“The Department of Water and Sanitation will continue to monitor dam levels and implement its efforts to ensure sustainable water security around the province. The department also encourage municipalities to provide water tanks as an intervention where there is no water. Furthermore, residents are encouraged to adhere to water restrictions imposed by their respective municipalities and save water.”
