With the number of COVID-19 cases on the increase in Eastern Cape, the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has raised concerns on the decline of water levels in the province.

According to weekly dam levels report issued by the Department, the provincial water levels have decreased from last week’s 57,3% to 56,9% this week.

The Kouga Dam which provides water to Jeffrey’s Bay and surrounding areas is sitting at 10.4% this week.

During the same period last year, the dam was at 45.9%. Groendal Dam which supplies water to Uitenhage and Despatch areas is at 34.7% compared to 35,4% last week.

During the same period in the past year, the dam recorded 58.9%. Nahoon Dam which provides water to Buffalo City Metro is at 45.1%, a decline from 42,4% in the previous week. Xilinxa Dam which supplies water to the drought-stricken Butterworth remains at a low 12.9% this week. Water levels recorded were at a low 18.3% this time last year.

Waterdown Dam which provides water Queenstown has recorded an average of 36.2% from last week’s 35,3%. The Nqweba Dam is also facing a similar fate. The dam is at a low 20.3% from 20,5% last week. 1.5% was recorded during this period last year.

Meanwhile, some dams in the province are at a 100% full. Laing Dam which provides water to certain parts of Buffalo City Metro remains full at 100%. Ncora dam which provides water to Cofimvaba and surrounding areas also remain full at 100%. Gcuwa Dam that also provides water to Butterworth and surrounding areas is sitting at 100%.

The Department has called on water consumers to use water with care as it continues to roll out the water tanks and tankers delivery programme to help with water provision to help curb the spread of COVID-19 infections in the province.

Resident are advised to contact the Department’s toll free number on 0800 200 200 to report water challenges during the level 4 lockdown restrictions.