The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has assured South Africans that the country will not run out of water during the dry winter spell, however, they warn that water may be run out if consumers use water negligently.

DWS has therefore encouraged consumers to adopt water-saving habits.

South Africa had 23 209 m3 of water available out of its storage capacity of 32 321 m3, the department revealed.

Rainfall in the Western Cape has also boosted South Africa’s water capacity, with the dam levels in the province having reached 50% in the last two weeks.

More rain is expected in the next three months. The Free State’s dam levels are at about 86% and Gauteng’s dams 94.4%.

Meanwhile, the DWS continues to intervene in the water situation in Makhanda, in the Eastern Cape, that has been affected by acute water shortages in the past months.

The department is refurbishing the James Kleynhans water treatment plant that supplies water to Makhanda, with completion scheduled for June 2021.

In KwaZulu-Natal, there is not a single dam that has recorded 100% capacity but the water situation is satisfactory, with the Midmar dam in the Natal Midlands at 98.9% capacity, while Spioenkop in the Giants Castle is almost full at 99%. The average dam level in the province is 63.3%.