Vaal Dam levels dropping, rain is scarce - we need to start saving water

Dams Vaal Water saving Shedding mechanism Grey Water

Photo Credit: On File

It’s getting hot in here, rains are not showing up and Lesotho has cut the Vaal supply until the end of November, it’s time to seriously save water!

Johannesburg, South Africa – It has been seven days since Paul Kruger’s birthday, if you are wondering why that is relevant, according to an old wives tale, the first rains always started on his birthday (the 10th of October). There has still been no sight of rain which is worrying for the Vaal Dam.

Factoring in that Gauteng Weather has issued a warning for the first major heatwave of the season, the fact that dam levels are dropping rapidly and Lesotho has stopped supplying us water for the next few weeks due to maintenance, we need to be more careful. Officials have already asked Gauteng residents to be more careful so we just wanted to issue a reminder.

The Vaal Dam is currently sitting at 51%. Without rain, this is worrying!

Vaal Dam

Percentage: 51.0%
Level: 17.7
Volume: 1327
Flow: 18
Rainfall: 0
Last update: 16 October 2019

“The department has not gazetted any restrictions on the system but the City of Johannesburg has instituted localised restrictions for the areas under their jurisdiction, which are on level 1.” – Sputnik Ratau, Spokesperson of the Department of Water and Sanitation

Don’t forget we have level 1 water restrictions, and if we don’t stick to them, it could change fast. So be sure to adhere to the rules.

The level 1 restriction means the following needs to be adhered to daily:

Watering of gardens is only allowed between 18:00-06:00 (1 September and 31 March); and between 16:00-08:00 (1 April and 31 August).
All consumers are prohibited from using a hose-pipe to clean paved areas, roofs and driveways with municipal water.
Sports fields are only allowed to be watered for two hours per day, twice per week. This includes the watering of cricket pitches, golf course greens and bowling greens.

City of Johannesburg residents are reminded that level 1 water restrictions are still in place enforceable by the Johannesburg Metro Police Department and consumers are urged to report non-compliance using the 24/7 hotline on 011 758 9650.