Mpumalanga Water Conservation: Dam Levels Decline as DWS Urges Residents to Save Water

MPUMALANGA – Residents across Mpumalanga are being urged to prioritize water conservation as the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) reports a marginal but notable decline in provincial dam levels. Despite overall healthy reservoir supplies, the latest Weekly State of Reservoirs Report indicates a downward trend that necessitates immediate and responsible water usage from all sectors.

The DWS announced that the province’s average dam levels decreased from 98.7% to 98.5%. Both of Mpumalanga’s Water Management Areas experienced slight reductions: the Limpopo-Olifants Water Management Area dropped from 100.3% to 100.1%, and the Inkomati-Usuthu Water Management Area fell from 98.2% to 98.0%.

This downward trajectory was mirrored across all three districts in the province. Ehlanzeni’s levels fell from 100.2% to 100.1%, Gert Sibande declined from 96.7% to 96.6%, and Nkangala dropped from 100.5% to 100.2%.

The Lowveld and Ehlanzeni District presented mixed reservoir data. Inyaka Dam was the sole listed dam in the district to register an increase, rising from 100.1% to 100.4%. Several dams remained unchanged, including Witklip at 100.3%, Longmere at 101.3%, Klipkopjes at 99.6%, and Da Gama at 100.3%. Conversely, declines were recorded at Kwena (100.5% to 100.3%), Blyderivierpoort (100.5% to 100.3%), Buffelskloof (100.5% to 100.3%), Driekoppies (100.3% to 100.2%), Primkop (101.3% to 101.1%), and Ohrigstad (92.8% to 92.2%).

Gert Sibande also reflected a mixed operational picture. Grootdraai held steady at 96.9%, alongside Nooitgedacht at 99.5%, Morgenstond at 100.4%, and Heyshope at 100.1%. However, Vygeboom Dam decreased from 100.5% to 99.5%, Jericho dropped from 92.8% to 92.6%, and Westoe fell from 59.9% to 59.1%.

In the Nkangala district, Middelburg Dam was the only listed facility to record an increase, moving from 99.8% to 100.1%. Loskop Dam saw a slight decrease from 100.9% to 100.4%, while Witbank and Rhenosterkop remained unchanged at 99.3% and 100.4%, respectively.

Despite these relatively healthy overall dam levels, the Department of Water and Sanitation has issued a formal call to households, businesses, agricultural operations, and institutions to eliminate unnecessary water consumption. The DWS emphasized that water has no substitute and reminded the public that “every drop counts.”

Residents are strongly urged to repair leaking taps and pipes promptly, avoid general water wastage, and report any burst pipes or leaks to the relevant water services authorities without delay.

Highlighting that water conservation is a shared societal responsibility, the DWS noted that integrating simple water-saving measures into daily routines will protect scarce resources, strengthen long-term water security, and support reliable community supplies.

“While current dam levels remain healthy, even small changes reinforce the need for continued water conservation and responsible use,” the Department of Water and Sanitation stated.