The North West Province has the lowest average provincial dam levels in South Africa
Dams such as Johan Neser Dam, Kromellenboog, Lyndlespoort and Rietspruit in the North West Province have declined in storage levels. As such, the DWS has already imposed abstraction restrictions on Kromellenboog dam and Lyndlespoort dam. This has impacted negatively on food production as these dams are used for agricultural purposes.
The drought situation
South Africa receives an annual rainfall of 500 millimetres whereas the rest of the world receives 985 millimetres. In order to mitigate against the drought effects, dam operating rules countrywide have been applied to 35 dams and four systems where restrictions are currently applied with regard to the water resource (mandatory restrictions on domestic and agricultural use). Earlier this year, the Minister of Water and Sanitation Nomvula Mokonyane indicated that it can take more than three years for dam levels to recover to acceptable operating capacities, given the effects of a strong El Nino weather phenomenon.
The department also estimates that an additional 3 000 million m3 of water per annum will be needed to meet the projected demand in 2030 to ensure adequate resources available for socio-economic development.
North West water restrictions
Acting Regional Head in the North West Region, Dr Tseliso Ntili, stressed that with water restrictions being imposed in dams, community participation in mitigating against the effects of drought is necessary and water conservation should be a way of life for all. He said that with 3 008 202 people affected by drought in the North West Province, some of the most effective ways of conserving water in dams and streams is through the removal of invasive alien plants, avoiding activities that can pollute dams and rivers, using the drip irrigation system and advocating for water conservation messages in schools, churches, clinics and the community at large. So far restrictions have also been imposed on the following dams: Koster, Sehujwane, Marico Bosveld, Kromellenboog, Swartruggens, Pella, Molatedi, Madikwe and Wentzel.
