The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) said on Sunday that it may have to impose water restrictions across the country, this is due to the absence of heavy downpours in the coming months.

DWS issued a weekly report on the status of water levels on the Eastern Cape Province. Due to a lack of rainfall the combined average of the province’s dam levels has declined from last week’s position of 50.6% to 50.0% , a decrease of 0,6%.

DWS working together with municipalities has made some interventions to the most affected areas.

In Amathole District Municipality, towns water restrictions are implemented, water tankers water carting have been put in place due to the declining of water levels.

Water crisis in Nelson Mandela Bay still persists because of drought and the dams in the area are reflecting signs of decreasing week on week. Kouga Dam is sitting at 8.3%. Loerie declined rapidly at 30.5% this week, compared to 33.0%, and Impofu Dam also dropped from 18.6% last week to18.5% this week.

Recent rainfall in the Western Cape has increased water levels in the province, with the Theewaterskloof Dam at 98% now.

However, the Vaal Dam in Gauteng has hit a new low, with levels sitting at just under 34%.

The same downward trend can be seen at dams across KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and the North West.

Department spokesperson Sputnik Ratau told EWN that despite the alarming decline, there was still no need to restrict supply just yet.

“Some kind of consideration might be needed to work with the municipalities and water boards to see whether we can continue until the rain, without imposing any restrictions. At the moment, we are aware that a few municipalities are imposing localised restrictions, but the department on a national level hasn’t come to that decision of imposing restrictions.”