Mpumalanga: Residents across Mpumalanga are being urged to use water sparingly as provincial dam levels continue to show marginal declines. The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) reported that the province's average dam levels fell from 98.7% to 98.5% in the latest Weekly State of Reservoirs Report released this week. According to South African Government News Agency, while levels remain high, the department emphasized the ongoing need for water conservation and responsible use due to the downward trend. Both of Mpumalanga's Water Management Areas recorded slight decreases. The Limpopo-Olifants Water Management Area declined from 100.3% to 100.1%, while the Inkomati-Usuthu Water Management Area dropped from 98.2% to 98.0%. Water levels also decreased across all three districts, with Ehlanzeni falling from 100.2% to 100.1%, Gert Sibande declining from 96.7% to 96.6%, and Nkangala dropping from 100.5% to 100.2%. The Lowveld and Ehlanzeni District showed mixed results, with several dams declining while o thers remained unchanged. Inyaka Dam was the only listed dam in the district to record an increase, rising from 100.1% to 100.4%. Witklip remained unchanged at 100.3%, while Longmere stood at 101.3%, Klipkopjes at 99.6%, and Da Gama at 100.3%. Among the dams that recorded declines, Kwena fell from 100.5% to 100.3%, Blyderivierpoort from 100.5% to 100.3%, Buffelskloof from 100.5% to 100.3%, Driekoppies from 100.3% to 100.2%, Primkop from 101.3% to 101.1%, and Ohrigstad from 92.8% to 92.2%. Gert Sibande also displayed a mixed picture. Grootdraai remained at 96.9%, Nooitgedacht at 99.5%, Morgenstond at 100.4%, and Heyshope at 100.1%. However, Vygeboom Dam declined from 100.5% to 99.5%, Jericho from 92.8% to 92.6%, and Westoe from 59.9% to 59.1%. In Nkangala, Middelburg Dam was the only listed dam to record an increase, rising from 99.8% to 100.1%. Loskop Dam recorded a slight decrease from 100.9% to 100.4%, while Witbank and Rhenosterkop remained unchanged at 99.3% and 100.4%, respectively. Despite the relati vely healthy dam levels, the department has called on households, businesses, farmers, and institutions to avoid unnecessary water use. The department reminded residents that water has no substitute and that 'every drop counts'. It urged water users to repair leaking taps and pipes, avoid wasting water, and report burst pipes and leaks to the relevant water services authorities. The department stated that water conservation was a shared responsibility and that simple water-saving measures incorporated into daily life could help protect scarce resources, strengthen water security, and support reliable water supplies for communities. 'While current dam levels remain healthy, even small changes reinforce the need for continued water conservation and responsible use,' the department said.