Mpumalanga residents are being urged to conserve water despite provincial dams remaining above 98%, as the latest figures show marginal declines across the province.
The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) said Mpumalanga’s average dam level declined from 98.7% to 98.5% in its latest Weekly State of Reservoirs Report.
Although water levels remain healthy, the department warned that the downward movement reinforces the importance of responsible water use by households, businesses, farmers and institutions.
Both of the province’s Water Management Areas recorded slight declines. The Limpopo-Olifants Water Management Area decreased from 100.3% to 100.1%, while Inkomati-Usuthu dropped from 98.2% to 98.0%.
Similar movements were recorded across Mpumalanga’s three districts.
Ehlanzeni declined from 100.2% to 100.1%, Gert Sibande moved from 96.7% to 96.6%, while Nkangala decreased from 100.5% to 100.2%.
Individual dams presented a mixed picture.
Inyaka Dam increased from 100.1% to 100.4%, while Witklip remained unchanged at 100.3%. Longmere stood at 101.3%, Klipkopjes at 99.6% and Da Gama at 100.3%.
Kwena, Blyderivierpoort and Buffelskloof dams each declined from 100.5% to 100.3%, while Driekoppies moved from 100.3% to 100.2%.
Primkop declined from 101.3% to 101.1%, while Ohrigstad recorded a larger decrease from 92.8% to 92.2%.
In Gert Sibande, Grootdraai remained at 96.9%, Nooitgedacht at 99.5%, Morgenstond at 100.4% and Heyshope at 100.1%.
Vygeboom declined from 100.5% to 99.5%, Jericho from 92.8% to 92.6% and Westoe from 59.9% to 59.1%.
Middelburg Dam was the only listed dam in Nkangala to increase, moving from 99.8% to 100.1%. Loskop declined from 100.9% to 100.4%, while Witbank remained at 99.3% and Rhenosterkop at 100.4%.
Despite the province’s strong overall water position, DWS has encouraged residents not to become complacent.
The department urged water users to repair leaking taps and pipes, avoid unnecessary water use and report burst pipes and leaks to their relevant water services authorities.
“While current dam levels remain healthy, even small changes reinforce the need for continued water conservation and responsible use,” the department said.
DWS said incorporating simple water-saving measures into everyday life can help protect water resources and strengthen long-term water security for communities.
