Heavy rains boost SA’s dam levels

The recent rains have seen a marked increase in the water levels of most dams across the country. The Hartebeespoort, Vaal, Gariep, Midmar and Inanda dams have all swelled to capacity.

The Hartebeestpoort dam in North West is 102% full. Inanda in Kwazulu-Natal is 100% full. Dams are on average 86% full, which is good news for domestic and commercial users.

“You can rest assured as the Minister [of Water Affairs and Forestry] indicated a few weeks ago that we don’t have a water crisis,” says Mbangiseni Nepfumbada, from the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry.

The increase is also good for Eskom. Dams that supply electricity need to be at over 40% full to continue generating electricity. But there is concern that with more rain, many dams will simply overflow. The sluice gates of both the Midmar and Inanda dams had to be opened.