The levels of the Integrated Vaal River System (IVRS) have increased, as the 14 dams within it continue to remain relatively stable. This comes after it saw a decline in the past two consecutive weeks.

According to the Department of Water and Sanitation’s state of reservoirs report, the system (IVRS) has notched up from last week’s 91.6% to 92.5% this week.

This week’s levels are a vast improvement from last year at the same time when the system stood at equally stable but low 65.7%. Despite not seeing any change in levels for the second successive week, the iconic Vaal Dam and the critically important Grootdraai Dam persist to float at 104.4% and 99.8% respectively.

In the preceding period last year, the Vaal Dam was slightly above the 50% mark at 53.7% while the Grootdraai Dam sat at extensively higher levels of 94.1%. The Bloemhof Dam continued its upward trajectory as it went up this week to a massive 106.1% from a similarly impressive 102.9% last week. Compared with last year’s levels of 86.1% during the same week, this week’s levels of the dam indicate a sustained rise in recent weeks. In the Free State, the levels of the Sterkfontein Dam are increasing weekly.

This week, the dam climbed from last week’s 97.8% to edge just a few notches below the 100% mark at 98.1%. During the same time last year, the dam was 93.0%. Judging by its present levels, the Lesotho’s Katse Dam has turned the corner of worst levels last year when it was at a paltry 33.3%. Since then, the dam has risen in leaps and bounds to reach 78.9% this week, up from last week’s 78.0%. Another dam in Lesotho, the Mohale Dam, is continuing to replenish its levels despite lagging behind compared to the Katse Dam.

In a shrunken state of 12.3% this time last year, the levels of the dam are increasing albeit at a snail’s pace. Presently, the Katse Dam is at 40.7%, up from 39.8% last week.

The other dams that form part of system are substantially higher this week and have contributed to its overall levels. Their levels are as follows:

• Woodstock – 100.2%
• Zaaihoek – 82.1%
• Jericho – 89.5%
• Westoe – 95.4%
• Vygeboom – 101.0%
• Morgenstond – 86.1%
• Heyshope – 87.1%
• Nooitgedacht – 100.0%

The Department appeals to water consumers across all sectors to continue to heed this year’s Water Month theme of “Valuing Water” so that everything is done to save water and that this precious resource is free from the devastating pollution.

The Department firmly believes that it is through appreciating the significance of water in each individual’s life that a change in behaviour can take effect. Disregard of tips to save water and not acting positively to deal with burst pipe and leaking taps can lead to an even bigger challenge of taps running dry.