Accra:Mpumalanga The Department of Water and Sanitation has called on communities in Mpumalanga to conserve water as dam levels across the province continue to decline. The latest weekly state of reservoirs report indicates a decrease in provincial average dam levels from 98.7% to 98.3%, with most dams experiencing a drop in water levels over the past week.

According to South African Government News Agency, only three dams in the Lowveld region of the Ehlanzeni District—Longmere at 101.6%, Klipkopjes at 100.4%, and Primkop at 101.7%—recorded no change in their water levels. The department has emphasized the need for increased water conservation efforts to prevent wastage, particularly in light of the potential impacts of a Super El Niño weather phenomenon.

The report details that the Limpopo-Olifants Water Management Area saw a decrease from 99.8% to 99.1%, while the Inkomati-Usuthu Water Management Area dropped from 97.8% to 97.5%. District-level data shows Ehlanzeni's dam levels falling from 99.9% to 99.6%, Gert Sibande from 97.5% to 97.2%, and Nkangala from 99.6% to 99.0%.

Specific dams recording declines include Kwena Dam from 99.8% to 99.2%, Witklip Dam from 100.4% to 100.3%, Da Gama Dam from 99.8% to 99.3%, Driekoppies Dam from 100.4% to 100.2%, and Inyaka Dam from 100.1% to 99.7%. Additionally, the Buffelskloof Dam fell from 100.3% to 100.2%, and Ohrigstad Dam from 88.6% to 87.5%. In Gert Sibande, Grootdraai Dam declined from 100.6% to 100.4%, Nooitgedacht Dam from 99.2% to 98.6%, Vygeboom Dam from 100.4% to 100.3%, and Jericho Dam from 91.7% to 90.5%.

Further declines were observed in the Westoe Dam from 52.5% to 51.9%, Morgenstond Dam from 100.3% to 99.9%, and Heyshope Dam from 100.4% to 100.3%. The Nkangala District also saw a decrease in dam levels, with Witbank Dam dropping from 99.2% to 98.4%, Middelburg Dam from 94.6% to 94.2%, Loskop Dam from 100.2% to 99.5%, and Rhenosterkop/Mkhombo Dam from 100.0% to 99.5%.

The department has urged all water users to use water prudently and avoid wastage by repairing leaking taps and pipes. Communities are encouraged to report leaks in bulk water pipelines and any incidents of infrastructure vandalism to the appropriate authorities. The department reiterated the importance of responsible and efficient water use in South Africa, a country with limited water resources, emphasizing that "every drop counts as water has no substitute."