Latest news with #Lepelle
The Citizen
07-08-2025
- Climate
- The Citizen
‘Below-normal' winter rainfall: Current levels of SA's largest and most popular dams
The Vaal Dam has achieved remarkable levels at 106.14%, showing improvement from last week's 106.5%. South Africa's most significant dams continue to demonstrate remarkable water storage capacity, with levels consistently exceeding 90% across the country. The latest weekly assessment from the Department of Water and Sanitation reveals an impressive water security situation nationwide, despite the South African Weather Service (Saws) forecasting below-normal rainfall conditions for winter. Gariep Dam nears full capacity The country's largest water reservoir, Gariep Dam, has achieved 99.5% capacity in its most recent measurement. This represents a marginal improvement from the previous week's 99.4% reading and shows substantial progress compared to the same period last year, when levels stood at 78.2%. Gariep Dam holds historical significance as South Africa's first internationally designed and constructed dam. Positioned strategically between the Eastern Cape and Free State provinces, the facility was previously known as the Hendrik Verwoerd Dam. The massive reservoir maintains a complete storage capacity of 4.9 billion cubic meters. ALSO READ: Reasons given for incomplete eradication of 10 000 bucket toilets Vanderkloof and Sterkfontein maintain strong performance Vanderkloof Dam, ranking as the nation's second-largest water storage facility, currently registers 99.2% capacity. This marks a slight decline from last week's 99.3% but interestingly matches exactly the same period's measurement from the previous year. The dam receives its water supply from the Orange River, which holds the distinction of being South Africa's largest river system. Located approximately 130km downstream from Gariep Dam, Vanderkloof maintains a full storage capacity of 3.1 billion cubic meters. Sterkfontein Dam continues its consistent high-level performance as a crucial component of the Tugela-Vaal Water Project. Situated near Harrismith in the Free State province, this facility currently stands at 99.3%. While this represents a minor decrease from last week's 99.4%, it significantly exceeds last year's 87.0% during the corresponding period. The dam's full storage capacity reaches 2.6 billion cubic meters. ALSO READ: Lepelle responds to water project criticism Additional major dam performance Several other prominent water storage facilities across the country demonstrate healthy levels. Pongolapoort Dam maintains 95.5% capacity, while Bloemhof Dam shows exceptional performance at 109.2%. The Vaal Dam has achieved remarkable levels at 106.14%, showing improvement from last week's 106.5%. This performance dramatically surpasses last year's concerning level of 48.1% during the same timeframe. Detailed Vaal system analysis According to The Reservoir, which serves as a water resource information centre for catchment management forums in the Upper Vaal water management area, detailed statistics for Thursday show specific operational data. The Vaal Dam recorded an inflow rate of 51.0 cubic meters per second and an outflow of 16.8 cubic meters per second. The Vaal Barrage maintained a level of 7.5 meters with an outflow of 10.1 cubic meters per second and water temperature of 12.0 degrees Celsius. This dam serves as an essential component of the Integrated Vaal River System and maintains a full storage capacity of 2.5 billion cubic meters. Hartbeespoort Dam currently registers 100.5% capacity. ALSO READ: 'If you don't want to pay more, use less': Parliament debates new water caps for farmers Integrated Vaal River system performance The Reservoir provided comprehensive readings for the Integrated Vaal River System for the week ending 5 August. Woodstock Dam achieved 96.00% capacity, with water transferred via pumped transfer to Sterkfontein Dam. Sterkfontein Dam maintained its 99.30% level. 'Water flows down Nuwejaarspruit in to the Wilge Rivier that in turn flows into the Vaal Dam.' Grootdraai Dam registered 99.40% capacity, directing water flow down the Vaal River toward the Vaal Dam. In Lesotho, Mohale Dam reached 102.10% capacity, transferring water via gravity-fed transfer to Katse Dam. Meanwhile, Katse Dam maintained 90.60% capacity, pumping water into the Liebenbergsvlei, which flows into the Wilge River and ultimately reaches the Vaal Dam. The Vaal Dam registered 106.30% in this system reading, with water flowing into the Vaal River toward Bloemhof Dam. Bloemhof Dam achieved 109.20% capacity. 'Water flows from Bloemhof Dan down the Vaal River into the Douglas Weir and from there into the Orange River.' ALSO READ: 'War on Leaks' programme: SIU reveals R2.2bn budget balloons to over R4bn Provincial and national overview The country's provincial dam level summaries demonstrate increases compared to the previous year's measurements. However, the Department of Water and Sanitation clarified that these summaries don't represent comprehensive data for all provincial dams. 'The summaries only reflect the storages for those dams in the Reservoirs Report,' the department explained. Weather forecast implications Saws' seasonal climate watch for May through September 2025 presented concerning predictions for water management. Below-normal rainfall conditions were anticipated during early, mid, and late winter seasons across most parts of the country, including southwestern regions where these seasons constitute the primary rainfall period. 'Such conditions, coupled with the expected above-normal temperatures, are likely to lower water levels through evapotranspiration processes in areas that are experiencing prolonged dry conditions, including the south-western parts,' the weather service report states. The forecast predicts minimum and maximum temperatures will remain mostly above normal in most regions. Southern coastal areas represent an exception, where below-normal temperatures are expected. Saws said these cooler conditions in southern coastal regions will likely increase space heating demand during the forecast period. 'Relevant decision-makers are encouraged to take note of these possible outcomes and communicate with affected businesses and communities accordingly,' the South African Weather Service advised. NOW READ: Weather alert: Fog and chill expected across SA
The Citizen
14-07-2025
- Climate
- The Citizen
Rand Water maintenance to kick off from Tuesday
The Rand Water maintenance operation will span three full days. Major water maintenance work will begin on Tuesday, affecting thousands of Johannesburg residents across dozens of suburbs for three days. The planned maintenance by Rand Water is scheduled to run from 15-18 July. Rand Water pipeline repairs The utility said the pipeline repairs will significantly impact the Palmiet System during the maintenance period, affecting the Alexander Park Reservoir and South Hills Tower. The maintenance work will result in reduced pumping capacity for the entire duration, affecting water supply to multiple areas across the city. ALSO READ: Rand water maintenance: These Tshwane areas will experience three-day water outages Alexander Park reservoir areas face reduced supply Residents in areas serviced by the Alexander Park Reservoir will experience reduced water pressure and potential outages during the maintenance period. The affected areas include: South Kensington, Kensington Extensions 4, 7, 10, 12, and 13, as well as Malvern 1, Bezuidenhout Valley, Bruma, Elcedes, Cleveden, De Wetshof, George Goch, Oospoort, The Gabels, and Wychwood. Additional suburbs that will be impacted include: Benrose Extensions 8 and 12, Cleverland, Denver, Heriotdale Extension 12, and Jeppestown. READ MORE: Rand Water maintenance deepens Joburg water crisis South Hills tower service areas also affected The South Hills Tower, which serves the southern parts of Johannesburg, will also experience reduced pumping capacity during the maintenance window. Areas dependent on this infrastructure include: Risana, South Hills, Tulisa Park, Linmeyer, Steeledale, The Hills, Oakdene, Rosettenville, and Klipriviersberg Estate South Hills. ALSO READ: Lepelle responds to water project criticism Three-day maintenance window The comprehensive maintenance operation will span three full days, with pumping capacity reduced across all affected systems throughout the entire period. Residents in the impacted areas are advised to prepare for potential water shortages and store water in advance of the maintenance work beginning tomorrow. READ NEXT: Dam level warnings intensify in Mpumalanga
The Citizen
10-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Lepelle responds to water project criticism
Under fire for slow delivery, Lepelle says its leadership overhaul and new contractors are already showing real progress. The department of water and sanitation under Minister Pemmy Majodina is partly blaming the Lepelle Northern Water board (LNW) for the slow provision of water and the completion of bulk water infrastructure projects in Limpopo. Lepelle is a state-owned water utility responsible for bulk water provision and the construction of bulk water projects in Limpopo on behalf of the national department. Deputy Minister David Mahlobo said many of the projects being implemented by LNW are subjected to long delays. Many Lepelle Northern Water board projects delayed for long In addition, there is widespread dissatisfaction with the performance of LNW among water service authorities in Limpopo. He said the department has arranged for Rand Water and Lebalelo Water User Association to provide support to LNW to improve its infrastructure procurement and project and contract management. ALSO READ: 'They will rue the day we crossed paths': Limpopo mayor threatens construction mafia after stalled projects He said LNW is also getting support from the Government Technical Advisory Service in the National Treasury to improve its infrastructure procurement. According to Mahlobo, the Infrastructure Fund is now assisting Lepelle with financial structuring and project management for the Olifantspoort-Ebenezer project. Mahlobo said the department has reduced the allocation of new projects to Lepelle to enable the agency to focus on the completion of its existing projects, while improving its service to water authorities in Limpopo. Development Bank of South Africa appointed as implementing agent Mahlobo said the Development Bank of South Africa has been appointed as implementing agent for the Musina-Zimbabwe water transfer scheme and the Nandoni water treatment plant upgrade. The agency defended itself, saying since the new leadership took office in 2021, LNW has been on a significant turnaround path. ALSO READ: Limpopo villagers plead with rain queen to end drought 'From early 2023, LNW has instituted several reforms and operational improvements, particularly in the management and execution of capital projects. 'Many of the older, underperforming contractors have been terminated and new capable service providers have been appointed,' said LNW chief executive officer Cornelius Ruiters. New appointments delivering measurable progress Ruiters said the new appointments were delivering measurable progress and projects were now being implemented within budget and on schedule, 'a testament to a new culture of professionalism and accountability at LNW'. 'We have also restructured our internal operations, including the establishment of a dedicated engineering division staffed by qualified professionals to oversee all infrastructure projects.'
