It seems the Vaal Dam has finally benefited from heavy rains experienced in Gauteng over the last few days as weekend showers helped raise its water levels to just below 30%.

Wednesday’s torrential rains, which swept through most of Joburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni, had almost no effect on the Vaal’s depleting levels, as the the dam itself and the catchment areas which flow into it, didn’t receive as much rain.

However, according to weather services, the weekend’s rain improved the Vaal Dam levels, bringing the total rainfall to 31.5mm by yesterday. By Saturday, levels had gone up from 26.4% to 27.6%.

Rain on Sunday helped bring levels up to 29.1% and the water released by the Department of Water and Sanitation from its reserves in the Sterkfontein Dam, will start arriving in the Vaal Dam and is expected to add a further 7% of water. In total, water levels have risen by 2.85% since Monday.

Joburg Water however reminded residents that we’re are not out of the woods yet and water restrictions are still in place and must be adhered to.

[Image – Wikimedia Commons]