Gauteng dam levels
Integrated Vaal River System water levels continue to rise
The department said the system, which consists of 14 rivers in different provinces, has increased to 57% this week alone.
The Vaal Dam dipped to even lower levels from last week's 43.4% to its current 42.6% mark.
The DWS said the dam started to show signs of recovery after water levels declined drastically over the past few months.
A few weeks ago, there were concerns after the Vaal Dam, which provides water for most of Gauteng and neighbouring provinces, slipped below 40%.
Spokesperson Eddie Singo said despite calls for residents to use water sparely, reservoir levels had declined drastically.
Talk Radio 702 host Phemelo Motene speaks to Department of Water and Sanitation spokesperson Sputnik Ratau Ratau about the figures of the dam levels and water issues in the Free State, with taps reported to be running dry.
Department spokesperson Sputnik Ratau says a drop in the levels is due to the heat itself but also to increased usage.
Water consumption has increased by 46 million litres per day to 587 million litres per day but that's below the Level 3 usage limit of 650 million litres.
Damn levels have slipped from 81.2% last week to 80.5% this week.
The Water and Sanitation Department says it is significant as the rest of the country battles with a shortage of water.
Gauteng Water & Sanitation Department says residents should not take the current provincial dam levels for granted, saying anything is possible due to changes in climate.
The Water and Sanitation Department says that the 14 dams, which form part of the integrated Vaal river system, are currently at 71.9% compared to last year's 53.7%.
The Water and Sanitation Department says the Vaal Dam is at 103.75% and says its officials are still monitoring levels.
The Western Cape Local Government and Environmental Affairs Department says the average dam level was 40.18% at this time last year.
The Water & Sanitation Department has confirmed that the dam has reached full capacity, the highest it’s been in six years.
Nomvula Mokonyane says her department will be communicating with municipalities to consider lifting restrictions immediately.
The water and sanitation department says year-on-year figures show an increase in dam levels in six of the country's nine provinces- with water restrictions in Gauteng expected to be lifted soon.
The Water Department’s Sputnik Ratau says while the Vaal Dam levels have improved, the rate of water inflow into the dam has slowed down.
Minister Nomvula Mokonyane is due to give an update this afternoon on the status of the drought and dam levels countrywide.