The water storage level of the Integrated Vaal River System (IVRS) is currently at a healthy 101%, reflecting only a slight dip from the previous reading of 101.2%, indicating continued stability and resilience.

The IVRS continues to play a pivotal role in maintaining the Vaal dam’s supply by regulating inflows and supporting optimal storage levels, the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) said in a statement on Thursday.

Reservoirs within the IVRS remain at elevated levels.

The Vaal dam’s water storage levels are at 106.3% capacity, with the overall storage level gradually decreasing owing to ongoing water use across the system and natural evaporation.

It is currently storing about 2.57-billion cubic metres of water, well above its designated full supply volume.

The DWS plans to keep the Vaal dam full until the start of the summer rainy season, in a strategic move to prepare for potential drought, as the South African Weather Services predicts that the central parts of the country will receive normal to below-normal rainfall.

The Vaal dam, a key component of the IVRS, continues to play a vital role in ensuring reliable water supply to Gauteng and the Free State.

“The sustained high-water levels across the Vaal dam and other reservoirs are reflective of the above-normal rainfall earlier in the year, and additionally, the effective water resource management during this low-flow season under normal dam operations,” the department said.

Meanwhile, Grootdraai dam's level is steady at 99.4%, while the Sterkfontein dam, which serves as a crucial reserve for the Vaal dam, saw a minor decrease to 99.3%.

While the water levels of the Bloemhof dam increased slightly to 109.2%, overall, it has been reducing since May when normal operations resumed.

The dam will also be kept at above 100% full supply capacity and will constantly be monitored. This time last year, Bloemhof dam was at around 91%.

“Beyond South Africa’s borders, the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, a key contributor to the IVRS, has shown mixed results.”

The Katse dam recorded a decline in water levels from 91.5% to 90.6% week-on-week, while the Mohale dam decreased slightly from 102.2% to 101.2%, which signals continued stability in the cross-border water supply scheme.

“The DWS continues to monitor dam levels closely and urges the public to continue using water responsibly despite the current abundance. Efficient water use remains vital in sustaining long-term water security amid the increasing pressures of climate change and urban demand,” the DWS concluded.