Some parts of the Eastern Cape continue to feel drought effects with the provincial water storage hovering at lower levels as dams are struggling to recover week on week.

Despite some recent rains that soaked some parts of the province, there has been a decline in provincial water storage again this week. The weekly state of reservoirs report issued by the Department of Water and Sanitation early this week shows that the water levels in Eastern Cape have declined from 49.4% last week to 49.2%.

During the corresponding period last year, the provincial water storage was at an equally low 48.2%.

The state of water in the province is a cause for concern but the Department would like to urge the public not to press any panic buttons as work on the ground continues to ensure that all water systems do not fail.

“The Department, working with affected municipalities, is seized with the implementation of infrastructure water projects that will benefit the province in a long term as well as some short term projects that will ensure immediate relief. All our efforts combined, are to make sure that water security is realised and guaranteed”, says the Departmental Spokesperson, Sputnik Ratau.

In addition, Ratau urged everyone to work with the government so that the systems continue to function optimally.

“We appeal to water users to adhere to water restrictions by saving as much water as possible. Every drop of water counts, therefore water wastage is discouraged. It will be important that people fix leaking taps in their households and report other forms of leakages to their local municipalities”, he emphasised.

Furthermore, he appealed to municipalities to respond timeously when leaks have been reported so that water losses are minimised at all costs. Adding to this, the Department of Water and Sanitation South Africa DWS_RSA reiterated that South Africa is a water-scarce country, ranked as the 39th driest country in the world. t

The Algoa Water Supply System with five dams supplying water to Nelson Mandela Bay and surrounding areas is facing a continuous strain as it sits at an undesirable level of 12.5 this week, albeit the recorded increase from last week’s 12.2%.

Some dams increased but they remain critically low, such as Haarlem Dam from 26.9% last week to 28.7%, Loerie Dam from 35.7% last week to 36.5% this week, and Kouga Dam from 5.7% last week to 6.4% this week.

Major dams supplying water to Queenstown and surrounding areas continue to decline. Macubeni Dam has declined from 85.4% last week to 84.6% this week, Xonxa Dam dropped from 95.5% last week to 95.4% this week while Waterdown Dam has increased from 23.0% last week to 23.8% this week.

The Amathole Water Supply System with dams supplying water to Amathole District and Buffalo City remains at a low of 26.2% this week. Rooikrantza Dam recorded an increase from 70.6% last week to 71.1% this week; Sandile Dam improved from 49.8% last week to 51.2% this week and Tholeni Dam in Butterworth remains at a paltry 26.3% this week.