Vaal dam gets boost to maintain at least 25% capacity

As Gauteng grapples with water shortages amid a severe drought and evaporation owing to high summer temperatures, the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) on Monday started opening up water flow from Sterkfontein dam to replenish the dangerously low levels of water at Vaal dam. A maximum of 200-million cubic metres will flow from the reserve storage at Sterkfontein dam into Nuwejaarspruit and then into the Wilge river, which will feed the Vaal over a 54-day period to ensure that the water levels of the Vaal stays at or above 25% of capacity.