Integrated Vaal River System remains strong

The Integrated Vaal River System (IVRS) remains in a strong position this week, as some of the critical dams within it persist to remain at firm levels.

Compared to last year at the same time when the system (IVRS) hovered at 87.7%, its present levels are higher at 100.6%. The present levels of the system are slightly below when compared against the 100.7% at which it stood last week.

Recording a slightly decline, the Vaal Dam moved from 105.1% last week to 104.8% this week. During the comparative period last year, it stood at 94.7%. .

The Grootdraai Dam, which has been on the increase week-on-week, has seen a another 0.2% increase this week. It has risen from last week’s 100.0% to 100.2% this week. As against last year’s levels of 87.0%, the dam was lower compared to the current levels.

For the second successive week, the Sterkfontein Dam, which is a reserve dam for the IVRS, is above 100% mark, and presently stands at 100.5% while last year in the same week it was lower at 99.1%. The Sterkfontein Dam is one of the critical dams in the system that have held firm over the months.

This week, the Bloemhof Dam records a slight increase from 104.1% last week to 105.0% this week. This is lower, compared to the levels of 107.3% during the same week last year.

Mohale dam continues to rise, as it remains above the neutral 50% mark. The level at the Mohale Dam saw a slight improvement from 97.9% last week to 98.1% this week. During the same time last year, the dam stood at 34.3%, which shows that at the time, the dam was in a critical state.

The Katse Dam remains impressive. However, this week it slightly declined from 94.1% last week to 93.2% this week. This is still higher compared to the 71.5% it recorded at the same time last year.

The Department of Water and Sanitation is satisfied that the system, IVRS, has been able to remain positive. However, the Department warns water users in Gauteng and others benefitting from the IVRS, that the stability of the system would be in jeopardy if both businesses and the public do not take responsibility to use water with the utmost responsibility and caution.

Source: Government of South Africa