Vaal Dam
By Natalie Naidoo
The Department of Water and Sanitation’s (DWS) latest weekly report indicates that water levels in Gauteng have remained stable, with the Vaal Dam recording a slight decrease from 108.5% last week to 107.69% this week. This marginal decline follows the closure of all sluice gates at the dam, a measure implemented to manage and stabilise water levels.
Controlled Measures Ensure Stability
The DWS has been proactive in its approach to managing the Vaal Dam’s capacity. The closure of all sluice gates has led to a significant reduction in water discharge, which now stands at 16.765 cubic metres per second (m³/s), a notable drop from the 147.71 m³/s recorded the previous week. This controlled release strategy aims to maintain the dam’s structural integrity and ensure the safety of downstream communities.
Water inflow into the Vaal Dam has also shown a decline, currently at 77.27 m³/s, down from last week’s 112.81 m³/s. This decrease in inflow contributes to the overall stability of the dam’s water levels.
Integrated Vaal River System Shows Positive Trends
The broader Integrated Vaal River System (IVRS), crucial to Gauteng’s water supply, has remained stable, showing a slight increase from 102.7% last week to 102.9% this week. Key reservoirs within the IVRS continue to perform well:
• Sterkfontein Dam recorded a slight increase, moving from 100.0% to 100.1%.
• Grootdraai Dam experienced a marginal decrease from 102.6% to 102.1%.
• Bloemhof Dam showed a more notable rise, increasing from 102.2% to 104.8%.
These minor fluctuations indicate a healthy and sustainable water system, ensuring continued water security for the region.
Lesotho Highlands Water Project Dams Maintain Upward Trend
In Lesotho, key dams forming part of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project have also recorded encouraging trends. Katse Dam rose from 99.7% to 99.9%, while Mohale Dam recorded a modest increase from 101.9% to 102.1%. These increases contribute positively to the overall water availability in the IVRS.
Department’s Commitment to Sustainable Water Management
The DWS has reiterated its commitment to the ongoing monitoring and proactive management of dam and reservoir levels. In a statement released on Wednesday, the department emphasised the importance of these efforts in ensuring the sustained reliability, resilience, and long-term sustainability of South Africa’s water supply systems.  
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