Garth Sampson from SAWS
Nelson Mandela Bay’s main supply dams have enjoyed a significant boost following good rainfall in the main catchment area in the Langkloof over the past two weekends.
According to the latest figures released by the municipality on Monday morning, the four main supply dams are currently at 20.62% of total combined capacity.
A significant amount of water has flowed into the dams in the past 24 hours, given that the previous reading taken on Friday had a combined level at 18.78%.
The largest of the supply dams, the Kouga, is now at 9.03% while the Churchill has risen from 53.04% on Friday to 62.92% as of Monday.
The second-largest supply dam, the Impofu, has inched up to 18.97% and the Groendal dam which serves the Uitenhage area is currently at 26.63%.
PE weather office spokesperson Garth Sampson said the sad reality, however, is that demand for water in Nelson Mandela Bay is simply too high at the moment.
He further cautioned that there is nothing to get too excited about rain-wise over the next ten days although there should be a bit more run-off the next day or two in the Langkloof.
Sampson added that the season also looks like its arriving a bit late in the Free State with no major inflow expected any time soon into the Gariep Dam, which feeds the Nootgedacht water scheme to the North of Nelson Mandela Bay.
