Vaal Dam level dropping fast!

Vaal Dam level dropping fast: Water restrictions introduced in Emfuleni

This photograph, taken on October 14 by Gab Ramotlwa of a section of the Vaal Dam, shows how much the water level had already dropped at that stage. The level has now already dropped to 34%.

The Vaal Dam’s level currently stands at 34%. This time last year, the Vaal Dam was 75% full.

To achieve the recommended 20% water saving target residents of Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) are required to use water sparingly. Rand Water implemented Level 1 restrictions to allow for water supply systems recovery and avoid a looming crisis facing the province.

This week, the Vaal Dam, a crucial component of the Integrated Vaal River System (IVRS), reported a capacity of 34%. This represents a significant drop from 75% at the same time last year. The current low level is attributed to less than normal rainfall in the Vaal Dam’s catchment area, the recent heat wave, as well as excessive water extraction by Gauteng municipalities.

In addition, the Lesotho Highlands Water Project Tunnel, through which the Vaal Dam, Sterkfontein, Grootdraai and Bloemhof Dams normally receive additional water, has been closed for six months (until 1 March 2025) for critical maintenance work.

The Vaal Triangle has seen very little spring rain this year. One of South Africa’s leading agricultural meteorologists, Johan van den Berg, recently predicted on Agri Market Trends’ (AMT) Facebook page that South Africa’s summer rainfall areas will have a dry spring, however, residents of these areas can expect good rainfall from November.

Level 1 water restrictions have been introduced in the municipal area as of October 16. This entails, among other things, no watering of the garden or plants with a hosepipe especially between 06:00 and 18:00, residents are not allowed to hose down paved areas and swimming pools may not be refilled.

These measures will remain in effect until the restriction is lifted. However, if the water situation worsens due to low or late rainfall and further heat waves, higher level restrictions will be imposed. ELM warns that this will lead to intermittent water supply. The municipality is urging residents to cooperate and save water.

By Retha Fitchat and originally appeared in the Sedibeng Ster