Vaal system storage rises to 99.7%, water department reports

The Integrated Vaal River System’s overall storage rose to 99.7% this week from 96.7% last week, the Department of Water and Sanitation said on Monday, 28 September.

The system supplies Gauteng and other areas through a network of dams and transfer infrastructure. The department attributed the change to a combination of rainfall, catchment runoff, inflows, transfers, controlled releases, evaporation and water use. Its figures describe reservoir storage, not the condition of taps or the reliability of every local distribution network.

Vaal Dam rose from 99.7% to 105.3% of its defined full-supply level. The department said a reading above 100% is an operational storage measure and should be understood against that reference level, rather than assumed to be a new flood warning. Bloemhof Dam was recorded at 109.0%, up from 108.2%.

Grootdraai Dam increased from 98.4% to 102.9%, while Sterkfontein Dam was unchanged at 98.8%. In the Lesotho Highlands part of the wider system, Katse Dam rose from 79.0% to 86.3% and Mohale Dam from 94.1% to 104.7%, according to the same statement.

The department said higher levels reflected improved water availability, but storage can change as conditions and releases change. It will continue monitoring rainfall, inflows and use across the system. Monday’s statement did not announce a local water-service restoration or withdrawal of any municipal interruption notice.