Pongolapoort dam a perfect water source alternative

THE massive water storage at the Pongolapoort Dam (also know as the Jozini Dam) is virtually unused – a mere 179km from Richards Bay.

It is currently 67% full at a capacity of 1,519 million cubic metres, with full capacity of 2,267 million cubic metres.

The Pongolapoort Dam is approximately 13 times the size of the Goedertrouw Dam near eShowe – the latter at 301 million cubic metres full capacity, currently only 49% full from where Richards Bay draws water from at the moment.

At current rates of 1% extraction per week and considering that extraction may only be viable up to approximately 15% capacity, then Richards Bay may well be without water in approximately 34 weeks time at the end of October – this unless heavy rains fall within the catchment areas in the meantime or else water usage is sharply reduced.

Councillors should hence seriously consider lobbying with government to construct a large capacity water pipeline for the long-term benefit of all towns along the north coast, including Richards Bay, as most frequently suffers from drought unnecessarily with a massive dam virtually around the corner.

ANONYMOUS