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No need for water restrictions, yet
Celiwe Ntuli, scientific manager for the water and sanitation department, said the department would not impose water restrictions despite issuing a warning that water levels at the Vaal Dam were dropping.
The Vaal Dam, which was at 57.6% of capacity last year, is now at 36%.
However, the capacity of the dam was not analyzed in isolation.
“Last year at this time we were at 65% [across the Vaal River system] and this week we are sitting at 59.1%. This was the reading taken on September 14, ”Ntuli said.
“The Vaal dam stood at 57.6% last year and this week it is currently at 36%.
“So, simply because of the interconnection of the system, we didn’t just look at Vaal Dam. We looked at the other dams.”
Ntuli said that if the need arose they would open the Sterkfontein Dam, which would feed the Vaal.
“The Sterkfontein Dam is our reserve for the Vaal Dam, so it is almost full most of the time. Now it’s 94% and Lesotho’s dams also contribute to the Vaal River system, ”she said.
“The system can fall below 60% … It does not mean that now just because we are below 60% we have to impose restrictions. We just have to be careful when using our water and using it efficiently and effectively. So at this stage, there are no water restrictions in the Vaal River system. If necessary, our reserve in Sterkfontein can release water. “
TimesLIVE
