Sputnik Ratau said : “The over 1% week on week decline on dam levels in the Western Cape is consistent with hot temperatures of January and February”

iol Wednesday, February 24, 2021 5:07:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The Theewaterskloof, which is the largest dam in the province, is hovering above 80%, a remarkable improvement as compared to 60% at the same time last year”

iol Wednesday, February 24, 2021 5:07:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The Breede Valley catchment system is very stable at over 60%, a notable increase as compared to 45.7% at the same time last year,”

iol Wednesday, February 24, 2021 5:07:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The department is rehabilitating the Kwaggaskloof Dam in that region to boost water supply. This is a project which is poised to create the much-needed local job opportunities,”

iol Wednesday, February 24, 2021 5:07:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “However, the Gouritz River system has once again not received adequate summer rainfall to recharge the dam and remains a concern,”

iol Wednesday, February 24, 2021 5:07:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “We are progressively moving to a stage where enough water is being released from the Vaal Dam to accommodate the expected rains that would have an effect on the ORS, as well as adding to the already rising water levels in the IVRS,”

sanews Monday, February 15, 2021 5:23:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “We are progressively moving to a stage where enough water is being released from the Vaal Dam to accommodate the expected rains that would have an effect on the ORS, as well as adding to the already rising water levels in the IVRS,”

foreignaffairs-nz Monday, February 15, 2021 4:51:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “With the weather system developing over the Mozambican Channel, the best decision was to open the other two gates to reduce the water even quicker,”

citizen Friday, February 12, 2021 4:13:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The Bloemhof Dam outflow is currently 400m3/s but would increase to 500m3/s from today at 10am. The outflow would further increase to 600m3/s at 12pm today and these increases are not expected to cause any damage downstream,”

sanews Friday, February 12, 2021 2:00:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “These releases are managed in such a manner that they would not impact negatively on any roads or such infrastructure in that province,”

sanews Friday, February 12, 2021 2:00:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The Bloemhof Dam outflow is currently 400m3/s but would increase to 500m3/s from today at 10am. The outflow would further increase to 600m3/s at 12pm today and these increases are not expected to cause any damage downstream,”

foreignaffairs-nz Friday, February 12, 2021 1:50:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “These releases are managed in such a manner that they would not impact negatively on any roads or such infrastructure in that province,”

foreignaffairs-nz Friday, February 12, 2021 1:50:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “This is being done in order to protect the infrastructure and make sure that there is sufficient leeway for incoming water and that everything is moving according to plan,”

citizen Thursday, February 11, 2021 7:06:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “While the majority of catchments in the Western Cape show a healthy water situation, the Gouritz Catchment which covers the Central Karoo, Little Karoo and the coastal belt of the Southern Cape remains a concern”

iol Tuesday, February 9, 2021 9:35:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The DWS is pleased to see Theewaterskloof Dam hovering above 80% for the past few months. Theewaterskloof is the largest dam in the Western Cape with significant supply to Cape Town and surrounding areas”

iol Tuesday, February 9, 2021 9:35:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau explained : “As the [department] ordinarily manages the dams, a lot of information and consideration takes place to inform whether that happens or not. We are not considering opening the sluices yet. We’re not yet there,”

citizen Tuesday, February 9, 2021 8:35:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “We are aware that there are communities which are severely affected and still lack reliable water supply. It is for this very reason that we continue to work closely with local municipalities to ensure delivery happens,”

sanews Wednesday, January 20, 2021 5:56:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “We are committing to keep the momentum for such improved services even in the New Year, while also implementing long-term measures. We continue to support the local sphere of government with the implementation of Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grants projects to ensure adequate infrastructure that will meet the needs of communities,”

sanews Wednesday, January 20, 2021 5:56:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “We are aware that there are communities which are severely affected and still lack reliable water supply. It is for this very reason that we continue to work closely with local municipalities to ensure delivery happens,”

foreignaffairs-nz Wednesday, January 20, 2021 5:44:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “We are committing to keep the momentum for such improved services even in the New Year, while also implementing long-term measures. We continue to support the local sphere of government with the implementation of Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grants projects to ensure adequate infrastructure that will meet the needs of communities,”

foreignaffairs-nz Wednesday, January 20, 2021 5:44:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “Traditionally, the festive season is notorious for drownings as most people take to swimming in water facilities, including swimming pools, to cool their bodies on hot summer days”

citizen Thursday, December 17, 2020 9:43:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “In some cases, some children have drowned while swimming in water tunnels that are used for agricultural purposes. Water games and pool activities can be fun for children, but can also be dangerous when they’re left unattended,” “Drowning is serious and poses a public health threat. According to Statistics South Africa, fatal drowning is the fifth leading cause of unintentional death in the country”

citizen Thursday, December 17, 2020 9:43:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The dams recorded 92.4%, 72.8% and 82.2% in the previous week, respectively,”

sanews Thursday, December 3, 2020 1:54:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau added : “towards the preservation of the ecology”

mg Thursday, November 26, 2020 3:03:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The increase is like a mere drop in the ocean, hence we call on residents to increase their efforts to use water sparingly,”

gov-za Thursday, November 19, 2020 5:47:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau added : “The larger part of the project is mainly farms who will also be supplied by the bulk water pipelines,”

gov-za Thursday, November 19, 2020 5:47:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The increase is like a mere drop in the ocean, hence we call on residents to increase their efforts to use water sparingly,”

foreignaffairs-nz Thursday, November 19, 2020 2:19:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “We are working very closely with all spheres of government to ensure that people are able to have access to clean running water,”

foreignaffairs-nz Thursday, November 19, 2020 2:19:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The larger part of the project is mainly farms that will also be supplied by the bulk water pipelines,”

foreignaffairs-nz Thursday, November 19, 2020 2:19:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “As we move with the implementation of long-term projects, we urge members of the community to stop vandalising water infrastructure and also report water leaks to their local municipalities,”

foreignaffairs-nz Thursday, November 19, 2020 2:19:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The increase is like a mere drop in the ocean, hence we call on residents to increase their efforts to use water sparingly,”

sanews Thursday, November 19, 2020 1:00:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “We are working very closely with all spheres of government to ensure that people are able to have access to clean running water,”

sanews Thursday, November 19, 2020 1:00:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The larger part of the project is mainly farms that will also be supplied by the bulk water pipelines,”

sanews Thursday, November 19, 2020 1:00:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “As we move with the implementation of long-term projects, we urge members of the community to stop vandalising water infrastructure and also report water leaks to their local municipalities,”

sanews Thursday, November 19, 2020 1:00:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The only dams that have saw a more than 5% increase are Bulshoek and Misverstand dams on the West Coast. "Given that the hydrological cycle has come and gone, DWS urges all water users in the province to continue water demand management efforts,”

iol Wednesday, November 11, 2020 3:02:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau says : "As the rainfall season has come and gone for the Western part of the Western Cape, we have begun to see a tapering of rains as well as balancing out of dam levels in that part, we are seeing week on week the dams in the Western Cape Water Supply System stabilising,"

allafrica Wednesday, November 4, 2020 3:07:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "High temperatures cause water to evaporate and this obviously impacts on water levels. We are hoping that the summer rains expected towards the end of November and early December will rescue the situation,"

allafrica Saturday, October 31, 2020 3:07:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The department urges consumers to use water responsibly, conscious of the fact that South African is a waterscarce country,”

the-star Monday, October 26, 2020 12:31:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "The weekly decline of dam levels in the province is being monitored with a great deal of concern. What we are doing on the ground is implementing long-term measures to assist the situation"

allafrica Sunday, October 25, 2020 3:06:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "The country as a whole has not fully recovered from the 2014 drought, with dam levels dropping drastically in most parts of the country. The heatwave we experienced this week has also exacerbated the situation,"

allafrica Sunday, October 25, 2020 3:06:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau added : "Most communities in Mkhanyakude and surrounds have been severely affected by water shortages and interruptions which often resulted in numerous protests. We have since been working tirelessly to implement the Skhemelele, Mtikini and Tembe Water Supply Project,"

allafrica Sunday, October 25, 2020 3:06:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "the weekly decline of dam levels in the province is being monitored with a great deal of concern. What we are doing on the ground is implementing long-term measures to assist the situation"

allafrica Sunday, October 25, 2020 3:06:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "It is for this reason that we have improved and are enhancing the manner in which we work as the three spheres of government,"

allafrica Sunday, October 25, 2020 3:06:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “Further, the department has delivered 756 water tanks to priority schools around the Eastern Cape. All this is done to improve water supply and mitigate drought, as well as curb the spread of the pandemic,”

reliefWeb Friday, October 23, 2020 4:39:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “A number of boreholes have also been drilled to increase water delivery in Mnquma Local Municipality. These are serving as sources for the current tankering services. Twenty-four temporary boreholes have been drilled across Butterworth of which four of these have been equipped with hand pumps and are producing good quality water for human consumption,”

reliefWeb Friday, October 23, 2020 4:39:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The department will [also] raise the wall of Gcuwa Weir to increase capacity of the weir for more water storage. The project designs are underway and physical construction will start in 2021. It is expected to take 6 - 12 months to complete,”

reliefWeb Friday, October 23, 2020 4:39:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “Further, the department has delivered 756 water tanks to priority schools around the Eastern Cape. All this is done to improve water supply and mitigate drought, as well as curb the spread of the pandemic,”

sanews Friday, October 23, 2020 3:25:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “A number of boreholes have also been drilled to increase water delivery in Mnquma Local Municipality. These are serving as sources for the current tankering services. Twenty-four temporary boreholes have been drilled across Butterworth of which four of these have been equipped with hand pumps and are producing good quality water for human consumption,”

sanews Friday, October 23, 2020 3:25:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The department will [also] raise the wall of Gcuwa Weir to increase capacity of the weir for more water storage. The project designs are underway and physical construction will start in 2021. It is expected to take 6 - 12 months to complete,”

sanews Friday, October 23, 2020 3:25:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “Contrary to other dams in the system, Sterkfontein Dam increased slightly this week,”

citizen Friday, October 23, 2020 11:45:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “Thus preserving every drop when consumers use this limited resource is vitally important,”

citizen Friday, October 23, 2020 11:45:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The weekly decline of dam levels in the province is being monitored with a great deal of concern. What we are doing on the ground is implementing long-term measures to assist the situation”

sanews Thursday, October 22, 2020 12:20:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “With significantly better rainfall seasons over 2018, 2019 and 2020 the system improved such that it is no longer under severe stress, and the reserve storage that was gradually depleted over the last five years has been recharged”

iol Wednesday, October 14, 2020 12:32:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau says : "There was a time where we were all worried that Cape Town, one of the world's most popular tourist cities was going to run out of water, does not face the same prospect thanks to imposed water restrictions combined with intergrated water conservation initiatives"

allafrica Monday, October 12, 2020 3:04:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "We are reliably informed by hydrologists in the Department that the rainfall has improved dams such as the Mearns (51,7%) and Hluhluwe (70,0%) from 49,8% and 69,3% respectively. However, most dams continue to drop,"

allafrica Monday, October 12, 2020 3:04:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "The weekly decline of dam levels in the province is monitored with a great deal of concern. What we are doing on the ground is implementing long-term measures to assist the situation," "For instance, the Shemula Bulk Water Supply Scheme has come under increasing pressure in the recent past due to excessive water losses and increased demand due to an increase in population. As such, it is currently undergoing a major upgrade as a regional supply scheme,"

allafrica Monday, October 12, 2020 3:04:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “We are reliably informed by hydrologists in the Department that the rainfall has improved dams such as the Mearns (51,7%) and Hluhluwe (70,0%) from 49,8% and 69,3% respectively. However, most dams continue to drop,”

africanewswire Saturday, October 10, 2020 8:53:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The weekly decline of dam levels in the province is monitored with a great deal of concern. What we are doing on the ground is implementing long-term measures to assist the situation,” “For instance, the Shemula Bulk Water Supply Scheme has come under increasing pressure in the recent past due to excessive water losses and increased demand due to an increase in population. As such, it is currently undergoing a major upgrade as a regional supply scheme,”

africanewswire Saturday, October 10, 2020 8:53:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The Department of Water and Sanitation calls on farmers to be cautious when using water as the dam is not improving and the farmers’ produce will be affected if the dam runs dry,”

the-star Tuesday, September 29, 2020 12:55:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "We are working very closely with UMzinyathi District Municipality as the implementing agent, to ensure accountability and prevent any possible acts of corruption,"

allafrica Sunday, September 20, 2020 3:17:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The stormwater management unit of the City of Cape Town provided an Action Plan for the management of stormwater/urban runoff contributing to the pollution of the Diep River,”

iol Saturday, September 19, 2020 3:21:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The total capacity of the WTW will then be 13 megalitres per day,”

foreignaffairs-nz Thursday, September 17, 2020 10:45:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “This will be through a 2.5-megalitre reservoir at Greytown WTW, an additional 2.5-megalitre reservoir at Enhlalakahle Reservoir and the rehabilitation of the existing 2.5-megalitre Enhlalakahle Reservoir,”

foreignaffairs-nz Thursday, September 17, 2020 10:45:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “We are working very closely with UMzinyathi District Municipality as the implementing agent, to ensure accountability and prevent any possible acts of corruption,”

foreignaffairs-nz Thursday, September 17, 2020 10:45:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The total capacity of the WTW will then be 13 megalitres per day,”

sanews Thursday, September 17, 2020 10:12:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “This will be through a 2.5-megalitre reservoir at Greytown WTW, an additional 2.5-megalitre reservoir at Enhlalakahle Reservoir and the rehabilitation of the existing 2.5-megalitre Enhlalakahle Reservoir,”

sanews Thursday, September 17, 2020 10:12:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “We are working very closely with UMzinyathi District Municipality as the implementing agent, to ensure accountability and prevent any possible acts of corruption,”

sanews Thursday, September 17, 2020 10:12:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The Theewaterskloof Dam, the largest dam in the province, is at 95.5% this week. These figures are likely to increase as the run-off from this morning’s (Monday's) downpours is still making its way to the dams,” “August’s WCWSS monitoring system performance report shows that the storage system is currently tracking above the minimum projected system storage. For instance, on August 31 the Berg River Dam was above 100% and tracking above the 75th percentile projected storage level, reflecting good response about the projected storage”

iol Tuesday, September 15, 2020 3:51:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “While dam storages are better off than in previous years, water users are reminded that the majority of the Western Cape receives winter rainfall and this water is mostly used in summer. For this reason, users are urged to use water wisely and stretch water availability until the next rainy season,”

iol Tuesday, September 15, 2020 3:51:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The department has noted the pollution that has been reported in Deneysville, particularly around Refengkgotso township,”

iol Saturday, September 12, 2020 3:08:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "Although this is a marginal decline, this continued trend is deeply concerning mainly because the spring season is in full swing. Temperatures will begin to soar and given the continued effects of Climate Change, we can are expecting that things will get worse before they get better,"

allafrica Saturday, September 12, 2020 3:07:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “Although this is a marginal decline, this continued trend is deeply concerning mainly because the spring season is in full swing. Temperatures will begin to soar and given the continued effects of Climate Change, we can expect that things will get worse before they get better,”

iol Thursday, September 10, 2020 11:25:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “However, there are some dams in the province which have recorded considerably good levels,”

iol Thursday, September 10, 2020 11:25:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “We acknowledge that many parts of the province are still without water. We are working very closely with the local government and Water Boards to speedily implement long-term measures to address water scarcity issues,”

iol Thursday, September 10, 2020 11:25:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “Although this is a marginal decline, this continued trend is deeply concerning mainly because the spring season is in full swing. Temperatures will begin to soar and given the continued effects of Climate Change, we can are expecting that things will get worse before they get better,”

gov-za Wednesday, September 9, 2020 3:25:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “However, there are some dams in the province which have recorded considerably good levels,”

gov-za Wednesday, September 9, 2020 3:25:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “We have in the previous week delivered close to 5 000 hand sanitizers, 1 100 face masks and 2 300 gem protection bar soaps to various municipalities for further distribution to members of the community,” “We acknowledge that the spread of COVID-19 has increased water use in many households. The distribution of hygiene material is our way of assisting those in need and increase efforts to use water prudently,”

africanewswire Thursday, August 20, 2020 1:46:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "We acknowledge that the spread of COVID-19 has increased water use in many households. The distribution of hygiene material is our way of assisting those in need and to increase efforts to use water prudently,"

allafrica Thursday, August 20, 2020 3:06:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "We have in the previous week delivered close to 5 000 hand sanitizers, 1 100 face masks and 2 300 gem protection bar soaps to various municipalities for further distribution to members of the community," "We acknowledge that the spread of COVID-19 has increased water use in many households. The distribution of hygiene material is our way of assisting those in need and to increase efforts to use water prudently,"

allafrica Thursday, August 20, 2020 3:06:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “We acknowledge that the spread of COVID-19 has increased water use in many households. The distribution of hygiene material is our way of assisting those in need and to increase efforts to use water prudently,”

sanews Wednesday, August 19, 2020 4:26:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau says : “For this reason, water users are urged to continue with water-saving initiatives”

africanewswire Tuesday, August 18, 2020 4:13:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “It is also envisaged that the debt will not overlap unreasonably to another project, thus causing financial strain on that project. The capital unit charges may be phased in during the construction period and interest will generally not be capitalized after completion of the construction,”

sanews Thursday, August 13, 2020 2:56:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “Tariff increases range from 0% to 11.2% in agriculture irrigation charges; the depreciation charge will be capped at 1.5c per cubic metres at PPI (April 1.2%). Operation and maintenance cost increases will be limited to 50% a year,”

sanews Thursday, August 13, 2020 2:56:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "These rains will be accompanied by cold conditions and members of the public are urged to keep warm as weather conditions will average below 18 degrees, as per the predictions of the South African Weather Services (SAWS),"

allafrica Thursday, August 13, 2020 3:19:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "The aquifer, which is believed to be the largest in the world at a depth of 710 meters below the ground, is a perfect model of how exploration of alternate water sources can go a long way to augment water supply in the face of climate change. This is also in line with the National Water and Sanitation Master Plan which advocates less reliance on surface water,"

allafrica Thursday, August 13, 2020 3:19:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “These rains will be accompanied by cold conditions and members of the public are urged to keep warm as weather conditions will average below 18 degrees, as per the predictions of the South African Weather Services (SAWS),”

foreignaffairs-nz Wednesday, August 12, 2020 2:22:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The aquifer, which is believed to be the largest in the world at a depth of 710 meters below the ground, is a perfect model of how exploration of alternate water sources can go a long way to augment water supply in the face of climate change. This is also in line with the National Water and Sanitation Master Plan which advocates less reliance on surface water,”

foreignaffairs-nz Wednesday, August 12, 2020 2:22:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “These rains will be accompanied by cold conditions and members of the public are urged to keep warm as weather conditions will average below 18 degrees, as per the predictions of the South African Weather Services (SAWS),”

sanews Wednesday, August 12, 2020 2:20:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The aquifer, which is believed to be the largest in the world at a depth of 710 meters below the ground, is a perfect model of how exploration of alternate water sources can go a long way to augment water supply in the face of climate change. This is also in line with the National Water and Sanitation Master Plan which advocates less reliance on surface water,”

sanews Wednesday, August 12, 2020 2:20:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said ( about Rand Water ) : “The uMkhomazi Water Project is one amongst the top 10 mega projects we will be implementing countrywide, as announced by Deputy Minister David Mahlobo during the Department’s Budget Vote last week,”

africanewswire Thursday, July 30, 2020 3:22:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The uMkhomazi Water Project is amongst the top 10 mega projects we will be implementing countrywide, as announced by Deputy Minister David Mahlobo during the department’s Budget Vote last week,”

sanews Wednesday, July 29, 2020 1:12:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The mine was urged to stop unlawful water use and pollution, and told to rehabilitate the affected areas,”

citizen Tuesday, July 21, 2020 7:39:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "This means that the country has 22200.1 cubic metres of water in store, out of 32012.2 cubic metres full capacity,"

news24 Thursday, June 25, 2020 9:38:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "Luvhuhu Water Supply System with three dams is at 97.3%, while Polokwane Water Supply System with two dams supplying water mainly to Polokwane is at 77.0%,"

news24 Thursday, June 25, 2020 9:38:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "This week, the IVRS declined to 65.4% from 65.7% last week,"

news24 Thursday, June 25, 2020 9:38:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “This means that the country has 22200.1 cubic metres of water in store, out of 32012.2 cubic metres full capacity,”

citizen Thursday, June 25, 2020 9:13:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “Luvhuhu Water Supply System with three dams is at 97.3%, while Polokwane Water Supply System with two dams supplying water mainly to Polokwane is at 77.0%,”

citizen Thursday, June 25, 2020 9:13:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “This week, the IVRS declined to 65.4% from 65.7% last week,”

citizen Thursday, June 25, 2020 9:13:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “Some schools that have benefitted from this rollout are in Vhembe District, Giyani, Tzaneen, Maruleng, Ba-Phalaborwa, and Greater Letaba municipalities,”

eyewitness-news Thursday, June 18, 2020 10:44:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “Eastern Cape provincial water storage is declining weekly, a major concern for a province that has been faced with acute water challenges for a while,”

citizen Thursday, June 4, 2020 11:07:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “This is likely to increase as Western Cape rains come in winter,”

citizen Thursday, June 4, 2020 11:07:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "Eastern Cape provincial water storage is declining weekly, a major concern for a province that has been faced with acute water challenges for a while,"

news24 Thursday, June 4, 2020 7:57:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “Recording a minor decrease, the Sterkfontein Dam is this week 93.4%, compared with the 93.5% last week. The current levels of the dam are the same as last year at the same time,”

citizen Wednesday, May 20, 2020 9:53:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “Floating at less than 40% for over a year now, the Katse Dam is presently at 37.6%, lower than last week’s 38.0%. Last year at the same time, it was at 34.9%,”

citizen Wednesday, May 20, 2020 9:53:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "We're looking into using reservoirs, drilling boreholes and making use of groundwater too,"

allafrica Thursday, May 7, 2020 12:35:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "We're looking into using reservoirs, drilling boreholes and making use of groundwater too,"

EastAfrican Wednesday, May 6, 2020 4:17:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "We're looking into using reservoirs, drilling boreholes and making use of groundwater too,"

trust Wednesday, May 6, 2020 11:21:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "We're looking into using reservoirs, drilling boreholes and making use of groundwater too,"

news-yahoo Wednesday, May 6, 2020 8:28:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "We're looking into using reservoirs, drilling boreholes and making use of groundwater too,"

trust Wednesday, May 6, 2020 8:08:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “Whilst the storage dams in Algoa System [supplying the metro] are regarded as critical, it needs to be pointed out that up to half of the water needed by Nelson Mandela Bay can be delivered from the Nooitgedagt scheme, which receives water from the largest dam in SA, the Gariep Dam, which is 100% full and spilling [over],”

dailymaverick Tuesday, May 5, 2020 4:04:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The Department of Water and Sanitation is constructing Phase 3 of the Nooitgedagt-Coega Low Level Water Scheme and is planning the construction of the Coerney Balancing Dam to provide emergency storage on the Lower Sundays River Canal to sustain the raw water source to the Nooitgedagt water works,”

dailymaverick Tuesday, May 5, 2020 4:04:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said ( about West Rand ) : "In cushioning the vulnerable communities, the department has to date deployed water tanks to some of the densely populated areas in the different municipalities across the province," "So far, the department has made 410 water tanks available to the City of Joburg, 190 to the City of Tshwane and 166 to the City of Ekurhuleni. The Sedibeng District and West Rand District Municipalities have received 254 and 462 respectively"

allafrica Thursday, April 9, 2020 6:10:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “As the Covid-19 pandemic figures rise in South Africa, DWS is urging people in rural areas who still fetch their water from rivers and streams to boil it first before they use it for drinking, washing and cooking to avoid contracting the disease,”

citizen Wednesday, March 18, 2020 7:47:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “It is for this reason that the department is asking people to either boil their river water or they should add a spoon of disinfectant, like Jik, to 25 litres of water to kill any germs,”

citizen Wednesday, March 18, 2020 7:47:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “Currently, the Bon Accord Dam is at 106.6%, slightly down from last week’s 107.2%. During the same period last year, the dam stood at 109.1%,”

citizen Thursday, February 6, 2020 10:59:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “However, while the province’s coastal regions have received substantial rainfall that endowed them with green vegetation, most inland towns were left high and dry by the lack of rain. The Umkhanyakude and Zululand regions are among the hardest hit by extremely dry conditions,”

citizen Thursday, February 6, 2020 10:59:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “Now, there are 16 tankers in QwaQwa,”

citizen Thursday, February 6, 2020 12:17:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The message we want to send out is certainly: ‘Get your act together or face criminal prosecution.’ ”

dailymaverick Tuesday, February 4, 2020 2:39:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “Slow as in determined by what? We are taking the necessary action and following the requirements. The idea of compliance enforcement is to engage the transgressor with the intention to bring him to comply. Punitive measures are regarded where there is no requisite response,”

dailymaverick Tuesday, February 4, 2020 2:39:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “As dam levels have dropped, water restrictions have been required to stretch the stored water, but this requires the co-operation of water users,”

dailymaverick Tuesday, February 4, 2020 2:39:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “We are pleased to share with you that the legislated procedures have been finalised. Ten x 16,000-litre trucks will be delivered as well as 1,000 water tanks. They’re going to be distributed around the area of Maluti-a-Phofung, but mainly around Phuthaditjhaba”

eyewitness-news Monday, February 3, 2020 3:49:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The message we want to send out is certainly: ‘Get your act together or face criminal prosecution.’”

citizen Monday, February 3, 2020 3:38:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “Slow as in determined by what? We are taking the necessary action and following the requirements. The idea of compliance enforcement is to engage the transgressor with the intention to bring him to comply. Punitive measures are regarded where there is no requisite response,”

citizen Monday, February 3, 2020 3:38:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau added : “The funding will be in line with the accelerated drought intervention strategy currently being developed by the department, together with relating implementation plans,”

citizen Saturday, January 11, 2020 5:11:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “This is because of some of the rains that we’ve had over the last few weeks… we are hopeful that the recharge of the Vaal Dam will be a sign of the recovery of the Integrated Vaal River System,”

eyewitness-news Saturday, December 28, 2019 6:16:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The heavy rains that fell in parts of the country have wreaked havoc and mayhem in Gauteng where a woman died and households were destroyed after being flooded this week,”

citizen Thursday, December 12, 2019 9:10:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “On the contrary, the national dam levels have dropped from 57.6% to 56.1% this week,”

citizen Thursday, December 12, 2019 9:10:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “We are expecting that probably from Thursday or Friday, we should start seeing a little bit of a difference in terms of the dam levels”

eyewitness-news Tuesday, December 10, 2019 3:20:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The report suggests that the provincial levels are currently at 49% this week, declining by [0.1%] compared to last week’s when reading recorded 49.1%. The department still calls on water users to avoid wasting water and adhere to water restrictions imposed by their respective municipalities,”

citizen Friday, December 6, 2019 6:04:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau concluded : “Water is a scarce resource and catalytic towards economic development and it must, therefore, be conserved at all times,”

citizen Friday, December 6, 2019 6:04:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “This will be a document through which the nation will be called to action and they’ll be called to understand what happening with the water resources of the country”

eyewitness-news Thursday, November 28, 2019 2:56:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “We are nowhere near the water recovery we were hoping for this season,”

citizen Tuesday, November 26, 2019 9:53:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said ( about Kwazulu Natal ) : “The situation is not any better in KwaZulu-Natal either, with parts of the province experiencing severe dry conditions. Ugu district on the South Coast is distressed, with Harding, a small town off the coast, the hardest hit. The local dam has virtually dried up and residents are now dependent on tankered water and groundwater. Other towns that are experiencing water challenges are Mahlabathini, Nongoma and Ulundi in the hinterland of Zululand,”

iol Wednesday, November 6, 2019 2:02:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “South Africa receives 450 millilitres of rain a year, which is half the world rainfall. This can only mean that South Africans must increase their water conservation efforts and change their consumption patterns of this scarce resource in order to cope with the situation,”

iol Wednesday, November 6, 2019 2:02:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “during this dry season we are told that we would be receiving below average rain until December”

citizen Wednesday, November 6, 2019 9:44:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “Our department has put into place a funding plan negotiated with National Treasury for the War on Leaks programme to be announced later this month as part of the 2019 Mid-Term Budget Adjustment process,”

iol Monday, November 4, 2019 2:44:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “Our department has put into place a funding plan negotiated with National Treasury for the War on Leaks programme to be announced later this month as part of the 2019 Mid-Term Budget Adjustment process,”

the-star Monday, November 4, 2019 2:01:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “We urge people to use water conservatively not only now, but to see it as a way of life because South Africa is a water-scarce country,” “Things are bound to get worse if we don’t change the way we use water”

citizen Wednesday, October 23, 2019 12:13:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “Some of the heavy rainfalls will only start falling somewhere in the middle of December throughout the end of February, which is a bit difficult because those would result in localised flooding rather than consistent rainfall that would assist the catchment areas”

eyewitness-news Tuesday, October 22, 2019 7:46:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The matter is receiving attention at the highest level of government. Once a decision is taken a formal communique will be issued,”

the-star Monday, October 14, 2019 10:29:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The matter is receiving attention at the highest level of government. Once a decision is taken a formal communique will be issued,”

iol Monday, October 14, 2019 10:25:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “Slightly moving down this week, the IVRS declined from 66.3% last week to 65.5% this week. The present levels of the dam are lower compared to the same week last year when the system was at 81.4%,”

the-star Friday, September 13, 2019 1:18:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “Similarly recording a decline this week, the Grootdraai Dam slightly declined to 60.0% from last week’s 61.2%. In the preceding year at the same time the dam stood at 84.3%,”

the-star Friday, September 13, 2019 1:18:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “This week the Mohale and the Sterkfontein dams remained stagnant as they held to last week’s levels. The Mohale Dam is presently at 33% while the Sterkfontein hovers at 92%. However, what differentiates the two dams is that during the comparative period last year, the Mohale Dam floated at a trivial 23.1% and the Sterkfontein Dam was on the upsurge at 98.1%,”

the-star Friday, September 13, 2019 1:18:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau explained : “The infrastructure we have now is actually operating at full capacity. It operates in order to benefit a lot more people than what it was supposed to”

eyewitness-news Saturday, August 31, 2019 12:18:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "This week's levels of the Katse Dam are a far cry from the 54.7% it recorded last year at the same time. Last week, the dam was at 19.7%. Not much different from the Katse Dam, the Mohale Dam remains in an equally poor state. The dam dropped slightly from 33.2% last week to 33.1% this week. This is not a significant improvement from last year at the same period when the dam recorded 24.9%,"

irishsun Thursday, August 22, 2019 10:04:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "Four years ago, Sterkfontein came to the rescue of the Vaal Dam after the latter had dropped its levels to an alarming 38%,"

irishsun Thursday, August 22, 2019 10:04:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau says : “Further allocations are earmarked for the 11% social component of the project,”

miningweekly Friday, August 2, 2019 1:43:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “This run-off will hopefully penetrate other water systems including ground water,”

citizen Wednesday, July 31, 2019 8:31:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “Despite a dry winter, the Free State continues to store most volumes of water in its reservoirs compared to other provinces in the country. The latest weekly dam levels report by the Department of Water and Sanitation indicates that the province is nearing its full supply capacity of 13,235 cubic metres, 2,000 cubic metres short of reaching its full capacity”

citizen Wednesday, July 31, 2019 8:31:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “This runoff will hopefully penetrate other water systems including ground water,”

citizen Tuesday, July 30, 2019 7:11:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “As we [are] all aware, Western Cape receives winter rainfalls and this is the best time to practice water conservation initiatives, including driving down the demand and the use of municipal water, harvesting of rainwater, exploring and implementing alternative water sources, as well as recycling and the use of groundwater,”

citizen Tuesday, July 30, 2019 7:11:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “This runoff will hopefully penetrate other water systems including ground water,”

iol Tuesday, July 30, 2019 4:52:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “As we all aware Western Cape receives winter rainfalls and this is the best time to practice water conservation initiatives, including driving down the demand and the use of municipal water, harvesting of rainwater, exploring and implementing alternative water sources, as well as recycling and the use of groundwater,”

iol Tuesday, July 30, 2019 4:52:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau says : “To do justice to the (CER) report, the department is compiling a comprehensive response that will deal with all the issues raised and ensure proper perspective. We will also indicate some of the actions taken and even outcomes; some of which ended up in the courts”

iol Saturday, July 13, 2019 5:19:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau says : “To do justice to the (CER) report, the department is compiling a comprehensive response that will deal with all the issues raised and ensure proper perspective. We will also indicate some of the actions taken and even outcomes; some of which ended up in the courts”

the-star Saturday, July 13, 2019 5:03:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : ”After all parties’ arguments were made, the Former Minister of Water and Sanitation wrote a letter to the Licensee informing them that the suspension of their WUL [water use licence] was lifted and that they could continue with their activities,” “The letter by the Minister had a condition that the WUL activities would and must be monitored frequently by the WRS (DWS Western Cape Region), which to my understanding was done”

mg Saturday, July 13, 2019 1:30:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “Any form of pollution is an issue for us,”

themalaymailonline Friday, July 12, 2019 2:55:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "Any form of pollution is an issue for us,"

trust Thursday, July 11, 2019 12:45:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "Any form of pollution is an issue for us,"

EastAfrican Thursday, July 11, 2019 12:15:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “Any form of pollution is an issue for us,”

standardmedia Thursday, July 11, 2019 11:25:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "Any form of pollution is an issue for us,"

news-yahoo Thursday, July 11, 2019 3:31:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "The Department of Water and Sanitation wishes to assure the residents of Hammanskraal that the process to ascertain the quality of drinking water in the area is continuing in earnest. The drinking water samples were taken to the CSIR laboratory for microbiological, chemical, and physical analysis on 20 June 2019. The department is currently awaiting results of the analysis and will communicate these to relevant stakeholders as soon as they are available,"

iol Thursday, June 27, 2019 7:01:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The department of water and sanitation wishes to assure the residents of Hammanskraal that the process to ascertain the quality of drinking water in the area is continuing in earnest. The drinking water samples were taken to the CSIR laboratory for microbiological, chemical, and physical analysis on 20 June 2019. The department is currently awaiting results of the analysis and will communicate these to relevant stakeholders as soon as they are available,”

citizen Thursday, June 27, 2019 5:59:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “Power to the Western Basin acid mine drainage (AMD) pump station, on Mintails’s property, and the AMD Treatment Plant is thus compromised and the facility is currently not operational,” “If the pumping stops for a prolonged period, like a month, we run the risk of a decant of toxic and radioactive acid mine water into the surrounding Cradle of Humankind”

miningweekly Tuesday, June 4, 2019 3:54:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The water level in the void is around 9-metres below the surface and this is considered ample buffer capacity for now,”

miningweekly Tuesday, June 4, 2019 3:54:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau added : “It is important to know that this figure is a moving target (fluctuates) and is not fixed,”

the-star Wednesday, May 29, 2019 1:45:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The department continues to engage all its debtors, especially municipalities, through the Inter-Governmental Relations Framework to find common ground towards the eradication of the debt that is owed,”

the-star Wednesday, May 29, 2019 1:45:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “A court action is a very last resort after all other forms of engagement have not borne fruit. "Each entity is engaged and different outcomes may be arrived at,”

the-star Wednesday, May 29, 2019 1:45:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “As indicated, the legal route is a last resort,” “The department is more keen and eager to reach agreements based on engagements particularly as per the prescripts of the Inter-Governmental Relations Framework”

the-star Wednesday, May 29, 2019 1:45:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “We’re hoping that these rains will continue into the winter season so that we can have a recharge of the Western Cape dams because of the downfall we’ve had over the last few months,”

eyewitness-news Tuesday, May 21, 2019 5:46:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "Although vast parts of the Eastern Cape received heavy rains in the past two weeks, the regions of Gamtoos Valley and Makhanda remained a source of concern as they are almost dry of potable water,"

iol Wednesday, May 15, 2019 2:25:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau explained : “In Makhanda, residents rely on tankered water for basic use as the local river is left with the lowest levels. The average levels in the province have dropped fractionally to 62.4% this week,”

sanews Wednesday, May 15, 2019 10:32:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The DWS is engaging with the City of Ekurhuleni and Erwat, to raise the concerns and instruct Erwat to bring the works to optimal operation,”

iol Saturday, April 20, 2019 3:51:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “These include municipalities availing co-funding in the next financial year, the DWS having constant engagement with relevant stakeholders to resolve community disgruntlements where these occur, as well as adjudication and appointment of new contractors where previous contracts came to an end or contracts were terminated due to non-compliance or non-performance,”

sanews Thursday, February 28, 2019 1:56:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “Let us all be conscious of the delayed rains,” “It will take time to recharge the water courses, including ground water”

citizen Thursday, December 27, 2018 8:08:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “There is a risk of people getting sick to the extent that they lose their lives,”

citizen Saturday, December 22, 2018 8:49:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The merit of the matter was thus not debated,”

citizen Saturday, December 22, 2018 8:49:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “Although the metropolitan municipality provided a recovery plan in terms of what they would do with their improperly operating wastewater treatment waste, this was not satisfactory to the department and that is why we had to come to where we are today”

eyewitness-news Friday, December 21, 2018 11:26:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “Well, we are quite pleased with the fact that we have seen a slight increase with regards to the integrated Vaal River system. This has been very, very helpful for us because we know that last year this time we were dealing with matters that were not really in our hands but that were very difficult”

eyewitness-news Wednesday, December 13, 2017 12:45:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The department would like to indicate to the community, especially at Sheepmoor, that the Kliphoek Pump Station does not supply water directly to the community and it does not have the required infrastructure in place to do so,”

sanews Friday, September 8, 2017 5:35:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "We’d rather the practise of water saving becomes second nature‚"

thetimes-za Tuesday, February 28, 2017 1:37:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "It is not certain but we simply want to alert the residents in the area about a possibility of a flood as Douglas town is a junction where Vaal and Orange rivers meet‚"

thetimes-za Tuesday, February 28, 2017 1:37:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The current rains have been helpful in a number of ways to the entire integrated Vaal River system,”

the-star Thursday, February 23, 2017 4:15:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau added : “We need to get more rains and continue saving water if we’re going to survive the winter and get to the next rainy season,”

the-star Thursday, February 23, 2017 4:15:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The current rains have been helpful in a number of ways to the entire integrated Vaal River System,”

the-star Thursday, February 23, 2017 4:15:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau added : “We need to get more rains and continue saving water if we’re going to survive the winter and get to the next rainy season,”

the-star Thursday, February 23, 2017 4:15:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau added : "We need significantly above-normal rainfall. We have to remember that with high temperatures there is also a high evaporation rate. The more rain we get, the better. We need to take the message the municipalities say seriously"

the-star Thursday, January 12, 2017 3:01:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau added : "We need significantly above-normal rainfall. We have to remember that with high temperatures there is also a high evaporation rate. The more rain we get, the better. We need to take the message the municipalities say seriously"

iol Thursday, January 12, 2017 2:47:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau says : “We need to remember that we need to use water in a manner that will ensure that our reservoir [levels] do not drop drastically”

iafrica Saturday, January 7, 2017 11:51:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau says : “If we look at the national average, we'd have loved to be over the 70%, towards the 80-85% level to be able to be comfortably through the next winter season”

iafrica Friday, December 30, 2016 4:43:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “We stopped that‚ though‚ on the 22nd as planned‚ because of the rains that have been falling‚” “But we are also experiencing‚ as you would know‚ high temperatures‚ and it puts us in a situation where we do have some water loss due to that”

thetimes-za Thursday, December 29, 2016 11:08:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “We are still dealing with a drought, we’re still in it. People must continue saving water and using it sparingly, we must act as if there is no water and use it responsibly,”

the-star Tuesday, November 22, 2016 4:04:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “We are still dealing with a drought, we’re still in it. People must continue saving water and using it sparingly, we must act as if there is no water and use it responsibly,”

iol Tuesday, November 22, 2016 3:44:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "The heavy downpours and floods have not fed the Vaal River system. They have fed the Hartbeespoort Dam, which is a recreational dam"

thetimes-za Monday, November 14, 2016 7:49:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “We started [releasing water to the Vaal] this morning at 9am. We are starting [to transfer at an intensity of] 20 cubic metres per second‚ and escalating to about 70 cubic metres per second at the beginning of December. That will be the peak‚”

thetimes-za Monday, November 7, 2016 7:21:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The water will be flowing from Sterkfontein to Nuwejaarspruit‚ into the Wilge River and then ultimately into the Vaal‚”

thetimes-za Monday, November 7, 2016 7:21:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The plan is to release water before the Vaal Dam drops below 25% depending on the rate that the dam is dropping. The water will be released into the Nuwejaarspruit which joins the Wilge River in the outskirts of Harrismith flowing into the Vaal Dam. The release will be done in such a way to avoid flooding,”

iol Monday, November 7, 2016 3:36:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “There was a thorough assessment of the area. The area where the mine is [situated] is outside the sensitive area. Relevant stakeholders and internal specialists were consulted during the process of assessment of the application”

news24 Sunday, October 9, 2016 3:07:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "The province has water availability challenges and demand will be high during these seasons for both domestic and agricultural use and the best we can do is to conserve this scarce resource"

allafrica Thursday, September 1, 2016 2:55:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "We rely greatly on rain and we have not had much over two seasons and this is a cause for concern,"

thetimes-za Tuesday, June 14, 2016 8:16:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "At the moment water is available in parts of Letlhabile,"

thenewage Monday, March 23, 2015 12:25:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “At the moment water is available in parts of Letlhabile,”

iol Saturday, March 21, 2015 1:26:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “This outage started on Monday, 23 February and is planned to end on 9 March 2015,”

iol Thursday, February 26, 2015 10:34:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “Eskom therefore requested a 1/8department 3/8 outage to tie in with the permanent deviation of the pipeline to the existing structure as per 1/8department 3/8 approved design,” “The deviation of the structure has been approved by the 1/8department 3/8 engineers and the 1/8department 3/8 engineers are involved with the quality control during the construction phase”

iol Thursday, February 26, 2015 10:34:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The department is confident in the capacity of its workforce engaged in this task and that the work will be completed within the time targeted,” “The work that has already happened gives the department the full confidence that all care is being taken to ensure there are no glitches and the work has demonstrated how single-mindedness of purpose can achieve a lot”

iol Thursday, February 26, 2015 10:34:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "This outage started on Monday, 23 February and is planned to end on 9 March 2015,"

thetimes-za Thursday, February 26, 2015 10:20:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "Eskom therefore requested a [department] outage to tie in with the permanent deviation of the pipeline to the existing structure as per [department] approved design," "The deviation of the structure has been approved by the [department] engineers and the [department] engineers are involved with the quality control during the construction phase"

thetimes-za Thursday, February 26, 2015 10:20:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "The department is confident in the capacity of its workforce engaged in this task and that the work will be completed within the time targeted," "The work that has already happened gives the department the full confidence that all care is being taken to ensure there are no glitches and the work has demonstrated how single-mindedness of purpose can achieve a lot"

thetimes-za Thursday, February 26, 2015 10:20:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "This outage started on Monday, 23 February and is planned to end on 9 March 2015,"

thenewage Thursday, February 26, 2015 9:54:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "Eskom therefore requested a [department] outage to tie in with the permanent deviation of the pipeline to the existing structure as per [department] approved design," "The deviation of the structure has been approved by the [department] engineers and the [department] engineers are involved with the quality control during the construction phase"

thenewage Thursday, February 26, 2015 9:54:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "The department is confident in the capacity of its workforce engaged in this task and that the work will be completed within the time targeted," "The work that has already happened gives the department the full confidence that all care is being taken to ensure there are no glitches and the work has demonstrated how single-mindedness of purpose can achieve a lot"

thenewage Thursday, February 26, 2015 9:54:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The over 1% week on week decline on dam levels in the Western Cape is consistent with hot temperatures of January and February”

iol Wednesday, February 24, 2021 5:07:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The Theewaterskloof, which is the largest dam in the province, is hovering above 80%, a remarkable improvement as compared to 60% at the same time last year”

iol Wednesday, February 24, 2021 5:07:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The Breede Valley catchment system is very stable at over 60%, a notable increase as compared to 45.7% at the same time last year,”

iol Wednesday, February 24, 2021 5:07:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The department is rehabilitating the Kwaggaskloof Dam in that region to boost water supply. This is a project which is poised to create the much-needed local job opportunities,”

iol Wednesday, February 24, 2021 5:07:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “However, the Gouritz River system has once again not received adequate summer rainfall to recharge the dam and remains a concern,”

iol Wednesday, February 24, 2021 5:07:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “We are progressively moving to a stage where enough water is being released from the Vaal Dam to accommodate the expected rains that would have an effect on the ORS, as well as adding to the already rising water levels in the IVRS,”

sanews Monday, February 15, 2021 5:23:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “We are progressively moving to a stage where enough water is being released from the Vaal Dam to accommodate the expected rains that would have an effect on the ORS, as well as adding to the already rising water levels in the IVRS,”

foreignaffairs-nz Monday, February 15, 2021 4:51:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “With the weather system developing over the Mozambican Channel, the best decision was to open the other two gates to reduce the water even quicker,”

citizen Friday, February 12, 2021 4:13:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The Bloemhof Dam outflow is currently 400m3/s but would increase to 500m3/s from today at 10am. The outflow would further increase to 600m3/s at 12pm today and these increases are not expected to cause any damage downstream,”

sanews Friday, February 12, 2021 2:00:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “These releases are managed in such a manner that they would not impact negatively on any roads or such infrastructure in that province,”

sanews Friday, February 12, 2021 2:00:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The Bloemhof Dam outflow is currently 400m3/s but would increase to 500m3/s from today at 10am. The outflow would further increase to 600m3/s at 12pm today and these increases are not expected to cause any damage downstream,”

foreignaffairs-nz Friday, February 12, 2021 1:50:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “These releases are managed in such a manner that they would not impact negatively on any roads or such infrastructure in that province,”

foreignaffairs-nz Friday, February 12, 2021 1:50:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “This is being done in order to protect the infrastructure and make sure that there is sufficient leeway for incoming water and that everything is moving according to plan,”

citizen Thursday, February 11, 2021 7:06:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “While the majority of catchments in the Western Cape show a healthy water situation, the Gouritz Catchment which covers the Central Karoo, Little Karoo and the coastal belt of the Southern Cape remains a concern”

iol Tuesday, February 9, 2021 9:35:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The DWS is pleased to see Theewaterskloof Dam hovering above 80% for the past few months. Theewaterskloof is the largest dam in the Western Cape with significant supply to Cape Town and surrounding areas”

iol Tuesday, February 9, 2021 9:35:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau explained : “As the [department] ordinarily manages the dams, a lot of information and consideration takes place to inform whether that happens or not. We are not considering opening the sluices yet. We’re not yet there,”

citizen Tuesday, February 9, 2021 8:35:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “We are aware that there are communities which are severely affected and still lack reliable water supply. It is for this very reason that we continue to work closely with local municipalities to ensure delivery happens,”

sanews Wednesday, January 20, 2021 5:56:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “We are committing to keep the momentum for such improved services even in the New Year, while also implementing long-term measures. We continue to support the local sphere of government with the implementation of Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grants projects to ensure adequate infrastructure that will meet the needs of communities,”

sanews Wednesday, January 20, 2021 5:56:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “We are aware that there are communities which are severely affected and still lack reliable water supply. It is for this very reason that we continue to work closely with local municipalities to ensure delivery happens,”

foreignaffairs-nz Wednesday, January 20, 2021 5:44:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “We are committing to keep the momentum for such improved services even in the New Year, while also implementing long-term measures. We continue to support the local sphere of government with the implementation of Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grants projects to ensure adequate infrastructure that will meet the needs of communities,”

foreignaffairs-nz Wednesday, January 20, 2021 5:44:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “Traditionally, the festive season is notorious for drownings as most people take to swimming in water facilities, including swimming pools, to cool their bodies on hot summer days”

citizen Thursday, December 17, 2020 9:43:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “In some cases, some children have drowned while swimming in water tunnels that are used for agricultural purposes. Water games and pool activities can be fun for children, but can also be dangerous when they’re left unattended,” “Drowning is serious and poses a public health threat. According to Statistics South Africa, fatal drowning is the fifth leading cause of unintentional death in the country”

citizen Thursday, December 17, 2020 9:43:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The dams recorded 92.4%, 72.8% and 82.2% in the previous week, respectively,”

sanews Thursday, December 3, 2020 1:54:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau added : “towards the preservation of the ecology”

mg Thursday, November 26, 2020 3:03:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The increase is like a mere drop in the ocean, hence we call on residents to increase their efforts to use water sparingly,”

gov-za Thursday, November 19, 2020 5:47:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau added : “The larger part of the project is mainly farms who will also be supplied by the bulk water pipelines,”

gov-za Thursday, November 19, 2020 5:47:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The increase is like a mere drop in the ocean, hence we call on residents to increase their efforts to use water sparingly,”

foreignaffairs-nz Thursday, November 19, 2020 2:19:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “We are working very closely with all spheres of government to ensure that people are able to have access to clean running water,”

foreignaffairs-nz Thursday, November 19, 2020 2:19:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The larger part of the project is mainly farms that will also be supplied by the bulk water pipelines,”

foreignaffairs-nz Thursday, November 19, 2020 2:19:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “As we move with the implementation of long-term projects, we urge members of the community to stop vandalising water infrastructure and also report water leaks to their local municipalities,”

foreignaffairs-nz Thursday, November 19, 2020 2:19:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The increase is like a mere drop in the ocean, hence we call on residents to increase their efforts to use water sparingly,”

sanews Thursday, November 19, 2020 1:00:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “We are working very closely with all spheres of government to ensure that people are able to have access to clean running water,”

sanews Thursday, November 19, 2020 1:00:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The larger part of the project is mainly farms that will also be supplied by the bulk water pipelines,”

sanews Thursday, November 19, 2020 1:00:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “As we move with the implementation of long-term projects, we urge members of the community to stop vandalising water infrastructure and also report water leaks to their local municipalities,”

sanews Thursday, November 19, 2020 1:00:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The only dams that have saw a more than 5% increase are Bulshoek and Misverstand dams on the West Coast. "Given that the hydrological cycle has come and gone, DWS urges all water users in the province to continue water demand management efforts,”

iol Wednesday, November 11, 2020 3:02:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau says : "As the rainfall season has come and gone for the Western part of the Western Cape, we have begun to see a tapering of rains as well as balancing out of dam levels in that part, we are seeing week on week the dams in the Western Cape Water Supply System stabilising,"

allafrica Wednesday, November 4, 2020 3:07:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "High temperatures cause water to evaporate and this obviously impacts on water levels. We are hoping that the summer rains expected towards the end of November and early December will rescue the situation,"

allafrica Saturday, October 31, 2020 3:07:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The department urges consumers to use water responsibly, conscious of the fact that South African is a waterscarce country,”

the-star Monday, October 26, 2020 12:31:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "The weekly decline of dam levels in the province is being monitored with a great deal of concern. What we are doing on the ground is implementing long-term measures to assist the situation"

allafrica Sunday, October 25, 2020 3:06:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "The country as a whole has not fully recovered from the 2014 drought, with dam levels dropping drastically in most parts of the country. The heatwave we experienced this week has also exacerbated the situation,"

allafrica Sunday, October 25, 2020 3:06:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau added : "Most communities in Mkhanyakude and surrounds have been severely affected by water shortages and interruptions which often resulted in numerous protests. We have since been working tirelessly to implement the Skhemelele, Mtikini and Tembe Water Supply Project,"

allafrica Sunday, October 25, 2020 3:06:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "the weekly decline of dam levels in the province is being monitored with a great deal of concern. What we are doing on the ground is implementing long-term measures to assist the situation"

allafrica Sunday, October 25, 2020 3:06:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "It is for this reason that we have improved and are enhancing the manner in which we work as the three spheres of government,"

allafrica Sunday, October 25, 2020 3:06:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “Further, the department has delivered 756 water tanks to priority schools around the Eastern Cape. All this is done to improve water supply and mitigate drought, as well as curb the spread of the pandemic,”

reliefWeb Friday, October 23, 2020 4:39:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “A number of boreholes have also been drilled to increase water delivery in Mnquma Local Municipality. These are serving as sources for the current tankering services. Twenty-four temporary boreholes have been drilled across Butterworth of which four of these have been equipped with hand pumps and are producing good quality water for human consumption,”

reliefWeb Friday, October 23, 2020 4:39:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The department will [also] raise the wall of Gcuwa Weir to increase capacity of the weir for more water storage. The project designs are underway and physical construction will start in 2021. It is expected to take 6 - 12 months to complete,”

reliefWeb Friday, October 23, 2020 4:39:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “Further, the department has delivered 756 water tanks to priority schools around the Eastern Cape. All this is done to improve water supply and mitigate drought, as well as curb the spread of the pandemic,”

sanews Friday, October 23, 2020 3:25:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “A number of boreholes have also been drilled to increase water delivery in Mnquma Local Municipality. These are serving as sources for the current tankering services. Twenty-four temporary boreholes have been drilled across Butterworth of which four of these have been equipped with hand pumps and are producing good quality water for human consumption,”

sanews Friday, October 23, 2020 3:25:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The department will [also] raise the wall of Gcuwa Weir to increase capacity of the weir for more water storage. The project designs are underway and physical construction will start in 2021. It is expected to take 6 - 12 months to complete,”

sanews Friday, October 23, 2020 3:25:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “Contrary to other dams in the system, Sterkfontein Dam increased slightly this week,”

citizen Friday, October 23, 2020 11:45:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “Thus preserving every drop when consumers use this limited resource is vitally important,”

citizen Friday, October 23, 2020 11:45:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The weekly decline of dam levels in the province is being monitored with a great deal of concern. What we are doing on the ground is implementing long-term measures to assist the situation”

sanews Thursday, October 22, 2020 12:20:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “With significantly better rainfall seasons over 2018, 2019 and 2020 the system improved such that it is no longer under severe stress, and the reserve storage that was gradually depleted over the last five years has been recharged”

iol Wednesday, October 14, 2020 12:32:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau says : "There was a time where we were all worried that Cape Town, one of the world's most popular tourist cities was going to run out of water, does not face the same prospect thanks to imposed water restrictions combined with intergrated water conservation initiatives"

allafrica Monday, October 12, 2020 3:04:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "We are reliably informed by hydrologists in the Department that the rainfall has improved dams such as the Mearns (51,7%) and Hluhluwe (70,0%) from 49,8% and 69,3% respectively. However, most dams continue to drop,"

allafrica Monday, October 12, 2020 3:04:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "The weekly decline of dam levels in the province is monitored with a great deal of concern. What we are doing on the ground is implementing long-term measures to assist the situation," "For instance, the Shemula Bulk Water Supply Scheme has come under increasing pressure in the recent past due to excessive water losses and increased demand due to an increase in population. As such, it is currently undergoing a major upgrade as a regional supply scheme,"

allafrica Monday, October 12, 2020 3:04:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “We are reliably informed by hydrologists in the Department that the rainfall has improved dams such as the Mearns (51,7%) and Hluhluwe (70,0%) from 49,8% and 69,3% respectively. However, most dams continue to drop,”

africanewswire Saturday, October 10, 2020 8:53:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The weekly decline of dam levels in the province is monitored with a great deal of concern. What we are doing on the ground is implementing long-term measures to assist the situation,” “For instance, the Shemula Bulk Water Supply Scheme has come under increasing pressure in the recent past due to excessive water losses and increased demand due to an increase in population. As such, it is currently undergoing a major upgrade as a regional supply scheme,”

africanewswire Saturday, October 10, 2020 8:53:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The Department of Water and Sanitation calls on farmers to be cautious when using water as the dam is not improving and the farmers’ produce will be affected if the dam runs dry,”

the-star Tuesday, September 29, 2020 12:55:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "We are working very closely with UMzinyathi District Municipality as the implementing agent, to ensure accountability and prevent any possible acts of corruption,"

allafrica Sunday, September 20, 2020 3:17:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The stormwater management unit of the City of Cape Town provided an Action Plan for the management of stormwater/urban runoff contributing to the pollution of the Diep River,”

iol Saturday, September 19, 2020 3:21:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The total capacity of the WTW will then be 13 megalitres per day,”

foreignaffairs-nz Thursday, September 17, 2020 10:45:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “This will be through a 2.5-megalitre reservoir at Greytown WTW, an additional 2.5-megalitre reservoir at Enhlalakahle Reservoir and the rehabilitation of the existing 2.5-megalitre Enhlalakahle Reservoir,”

foreignaffairs-nz Thursday, September 17, 2020 10:45:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “We are working very closely with UMzinyathi District Municipality as the implementing agent, to ensure accountability and prevent any possible acts of corruption,”

foreignaffairs-nz Thursday, September 17, 2020 10:45:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The total capacity of the WTW will then be 13 megalitres per day,”

sanews Thursday, September 17, 2020 10:12:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “This will be through a 2.5-megalitre reservoir at Greytown WTW, an additional 2.5-megalitre reservoir at Enhlalakahle Reservoir and the rehabilitation of the existing 2.5-megalitre Enhlalakahle Reservoir,”

sanews Thursday, September 17, 2020 10:12:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “We are working very closely with UMzinyathi District Municipality as the implementing agent, to ensure accountability and prevent any possible acts of corruption,”

sanews Thursday, September 17, 2020 10:12:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The Theewaterskloof Dam, the largest dam in the province, is at 95.5% this week. These figures are likely to increase as the run-off from this morning’s (Monday's) downpours is still making its way to the dams,” “August’s WCWSS monitoring system performance report shows that the storage system is currently tracking above the minimum projected system storage. For instance, on August 31 the Berg River Dam was above 100% and tracking above the 75th percentile projected storage level, reflecting good response about the projected storage”

iol Tuesday, September 15, 2020 3:51:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “While dam storages are better off than in previous years, water users are reminded that the majority of the Western Cape receives winter rainfall and this water is mostly used in summer. For this reason, users are urged to use water wisely and stretch water availability until the next rainy season,”

iol Tuesday, September 15, 2020 3:51:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The department has noted the pollution that has been reported in Deneysville, particularly around Refengkgotso township,”

iol Saturday, September 12, 2020 3:08:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "Although this is a marginal decline, this continued trend is deeply concerning mainly because the spring season is in full swing. Temperatures will begin to soar and given the continued effects of Climate Change, we can are expecting that things will get worse before they get better,"

allafrica Saturday, September 12, 2020 3:07:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “Although this is a marginal decline, this continued trend is deeply concerning mainly because the spring season is in full swing. Temperatures will begin to soar and given the continued effects of Climate Change, we can expect that things will get worse before they get better,”

iol Thursday, September 10, 2020 11:25:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “However, there are some dams in the province which have recorded considerably good levels,”

iol Thursday, September 10, 2020 11:25:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “We acknowledge that many parts of the province are still without water. We are working very closely with the local government and Water Boards to speedily implement long-term measures to address water scarcity issues,”

iol Thursday, September 10, 2020 11:25:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “Although this is a marginal decline, this continued trend is deeply concerning mainly because the spring season is in full swing. Temperatures will begin to soar and given the continued effects of Climate Change, we can are expecting that things will get worse before they get better,”

gov-za Wednesday, September 9, 2020 3:25:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “However, there are some dams in the province which have recorded considerably good levels,”

gov-za Wednesday, September 9, 2020 3:25:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “We have in the previous week delivered close to 5 000 hand sanitizers, 1 100 face masks and 2 300 gem protection bar soaps to various municipalities for further distribution to members of the community,” “We acknowledge that the spread of COVID-19 has increased water use in many households. The distribution of hygiene material is our way of assisting those in need and increase efforts to use water prudently,”

africanewswire Thursday, August 20, 2020 1:46:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "We acknowledge that the spread of COVID-19 has increased water use in many households. The distribution of hygiene material is our way of assisting those in need and to increase efforts to use water prudently,"

allafrica Thursday, August 20, 2020 3:06:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "We have in the previous week delivered close to 5 000 hand sanitizers, 1 100 face masks and 2 300 gem protection bar soaps to various municipalities for further distribution to members of the community," "We acknowledge that the spread of COVID-19 has increased water use in many households. The distribution of hygiene material is our way of assisting those in need and to increase efforts to use water prudently,"

allafrica Thursday, August 20, 2020 3:06:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “We acknowledge that the spread of COVID-19 has increased water use in many households. The distribution of hygiene material is our way of assisting those in need and to increase efforts to use water prudently,”

sanews Wednesday, August 19, 2020 4:26:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau says : “For this reason, water users are urged to continue with water-saving initiatives”

africanewswire Tuesday, August 18, 2020 4:13:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “It is also envisaged that the debt will not overlap unreasonably to another project, thus causing financial strain on that project. The capital unit charges may be phased in during the construction period and interest will generally not be capitalized after completion of the construction,”

sanews Thursday, August 13, 2020 2:56:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “Tariff increases range from 0% to 11.2% in agriculture irrigation charges; the depreciation charge will be capped at 1.5c per cubic metres at PPI (April 1.2%). Operation and maintenance cost increases will be limited to 50% a year,”

sanews Thursday, August 13, 2020 2:56:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "These rains will be accompanied by cold conditions and members of the public are urged to keep warm as weather conditions will average below 18 degrees, as per the predictions of the South African Weather Services (SAWS),"

allafrica Thursday, August 13, 2020 3:19:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "The aquifer, which is believed to be the largest in the world at a depth of 710 meters below the ground, is a perfect model of how exploration of alternate water sources can go a long way to augment water supply in the face of climate change. This is also in line with the National Water and Sanitation Master Plan which advocates less reliance on surface water,"

allafrica Thursday, August 13, 2020 3:19:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “These rains will be accompanied by cold conditions and members of the public are urged to keep warm as weather conditions will average below 18 degrees, as per the predictions of the South African Weather Services (SAWS),”

foreignaffairs-nz Wednesday, August 12, 2020 2:22:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The aquifer, which is believed to be the largest in the world at a depth of 710 meters below the ground, is a perfect model of how exploration of alternate water sources can go a long way to augment water supply in the face of climate change. This is also in line with the National Water and Sanitation Master Plan which advocates less reliance on surface water,”

foreignaffairs-nz Wednesday, August 12, 2020 2:22:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “These rains will be accompanied by cold conditions and members of the public are urged to keep warm as weather conditions will average below 18 degrees, as per the predictions of the South African Weather Services (SAWS),”

sanews Wednesday, August 12, 2020 2:20:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The aquifer, which is believed to be the largest in the world at a depth of 710 meters below the ground, is a perfect model of how exploration of alternate water sources can go a long way to augment water supply in the face of climate change. This is also in line with the National Water and Sanitation Master Plan which advocates less reliance on surface water,”

sanews Wednesday, August 12, 2020 2:20:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said ( about Rand Water ) : “The uMkhomazi Water Project is one amongst the top 10 mega projects we will be implementing countrywide, as announced by Deputy Minister David Mahlobo during the Department’s Budget Vote last week,”

africanewswire Thursday, July 30, 2020 3:22:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The uMkhomazi Water Project is amongst the top 10 mega projects we will be implementing countrywide, as announced by Deputy Minister David Mahlobo during the department’s Budget Vote last week,”

sanews Wednesday, July 29, 2020 1:12:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The mine was urged to stop unlawful water use and pollution, and told to rehabilitate the affected areas,”

citizen Tuesday, July 21, 2020 7:39:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "This means that the country has 22200.1 cubic metres of water in store, out of 32012.2 cubic metres full capacity,"

news24 Thursday, June 25, 2020 9:38:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "Luvhuhu Water Supply System with three dams is at 97.3%, while Polokwane Water Supply System with two dams supplying water mainly to Polokwane is at 77.0%,"

news24 Thursday, June 25, 2020 9:38:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "This week, the IVRS declined to 65.4% from 65.7% last week,"

news24 Thursday, June 25, 2020 9:38:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “This means that the country has 22200.1 cubic metres of water in store, out of 32012.2 cubic metres full capacity,”

citizen Thursday, June 25, 2020 9:13:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “Luvhuhu Water Supply System with three dams is at 97.3%, while Polokwane Water Supply System with two dams supplying water mainly to Polokwane is at 77.0%,”

citizen Thursday, June 25, 2020 9:13:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “This week, the IVRS declined to 65.4% from 65.7% last week,”

citizen Thursday, June 25, 2020 9:13:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “Some schools that have benefitted from this rollout are in Vhembe District, Giyani, Tzaneen, Maruleng, Ba-Phalaborwa, and Greater Letaba municipalities,”

eyewitness-news Thursday, June 18, 2020 10:44:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “Eastern Cape provincial water storage is declining weekly, a major concern for a province that has been faced with acute water challenges for a while,”

citizen Thursday, June 4, 2020 11:07:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “This is likely to increase as Western Cape rains come in winter,”

citizen Thursday, June 4, 2020 11:07:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "Eastern Cape provincial water storage is declining weekly, a major concern for a province that has been faced with acute water challenges for a while,"

news24 Thursday, June 4, 2020 7:57:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “Recording a minor decrease, the Sterkfontein Dam is this week 93.4%, compared with the 93.5% last week. The current levels of the dam are the same as last year at the same time,”

citizen Wednesday, May 20, 2020 9:53:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “Floating at less than 40% for over a year now, the Katse Dam is presently at 37.6%, lower than last week’s 38.0%. Last year at the same time, it was at 34.9%,”

citizen Wednesday, May 20, 2020 9:53:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "We're looking into using reservoirs, drilling boreholes and making use of groundwater too,"

allafrica Thursday, May 7, 2020 12:35:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "We're looking into using reservoirs, drilling boreholes and making use of groundwater too,"

EastAfrican Wednesday, May 6, 2020 4:17:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "We're looking into using reservoirs, drilling boreholes and making use of groundwater too,"

trust Wednesday, May 6, 2020 11:21:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "We're looking into using reservoirs, drilling boreholes and making use of groundwater too,"

news-yahoo Wednesday, May 6, 2020 8:28:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "We're looking into using reservoirs, drilling boreholes and making use of groundwater too,"

trust Wednesday, May 6, 2020 8:08:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “Whilst the storage dams in Algoa System [supplying the metro] are regarded as critical, it needs to be pointed out that up to half of the water needed by Nelson Mandela Bay can be delivered from the Nooitgedagt scheme, which receives water from the largest dam in SA, the Gariep Dam, which is 100% full and spilling [over],”

dailymaverick Tuesday, May 5, 2020 4:04:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The Department of Water and Sanitation is constructing Phase 3 of the Nooitgedagt-Coega Low Level Water Scheme and is planning the construction of the Coerney Balancing Dam to provide emergency storage on the Lower Sundays River Canal to sustain the raw water source to the Nooitgedagt water works,”

dailymaverick Tuesday, May 5, 2020 4:04:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said ( about West Rand ) : "In cushioning the vulnerable communities, the department has to date deployed water tanks to some of the densely populated areas in the different municipalities across the province," "So far, the department has made 410 water tanks available to the City of Joburg, 190 to the City of Tshwane and 166 to the City of Ekurhuleni. The Sedibeng District and West Rand District Municipalities have received 254 and 462 respectively"

allafrica Thursday, April 9, 2020 6:10:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “As the Covid-19 pandemic figures rise in South Africa, DWS is urging people in rural areas who still fetch their water from rivers and streams to boil it first before they use it for drinking, washing and cooking to avoid contracting the disease,”

citizen Wednesday, March 18, 2020 7:47:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “It is for this reason that the department is asking people to either boil their river water or they should add a spoon of disinfectant, like Jik, to 25 litres of water to kill any germs,”

citizen Wednesday, March 18, 2020 7:47:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “Currently, the Bon Accord Dam is at 106.6%, slightly down from last week’s 107.2%. During the same period last year, the dam stood at 109.1%,”

citizen Thursday, February 6, 2020 10:59:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “However, while the province’s coastal regions have received substantial rainfall that endowed them with green vegetation, most inland towns were left high and dry by the lack of rain. The Umkhanyakude and Zululand regions are among the hardest hit by extremely dry conditions,”

citizen Thursday, February 6, 2020 10:59:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “Now, there are 16 tankers in QwaQwa,”

citizen Thursday, February 6, 2020 12:17:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The message we want to send out is certainly: ‘Get your act together or face criminal prosecution.’ ”

dailymaverick Tuesday, February 4, 2020 2:39:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “Slow as in determined by what? We are taking the necessary action and following the requirements. The idea of compliance enforcement is to engage the transgressor with the intention to bring him to comply. Punitive measures are regarded where there is no requisite response,”

dailymaverick Tuesday, February 4, 2020 2:39:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “As dam levels have dropped, water restrictions have been required to stretch the stored water, but this requires the co-operation of water users,”

dailymaverick Tuesday, February 4, 2020 2:39:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “We are pleased to share with you that the legislated procedures have been finalised. Ten x 16,000-litre trucks will be delivered as well as 1,000 water tanks. They’re going to be distributed around the area of Maluti-a-Phofung, but mainly around Phuthaditjhaba”

eyewitness-news Monday, February 3, 2020 3:49:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The message we want to send out is certainly: ‘Get your act together or face criminal prosecution.’”

citizen Monday, February 3, 2020 3:38:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “Slow as in determined by what? We are taking the necessary action and following the requirements. The idea of compliance enforcement is to engage the transgressor with the intention to bring him to comply. Punitive measures are regarded where there is no requisite response,”

citizen Monday, February 3, 2020 3:38:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau added : “The funding will be in line with the accelerated drought intervention strategy currently being developed by the department, together with relating implementation plans,”

citizen Saturday, January 11, 2020 5:11:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “This is because of some of the rains that we’ve had over the last few weeks… we are hopeful that the recharge of the Vaal Dam will be a sign of the recovery of the Integrated Vaal River System,”

eyewitness-news Saturday, December 28, 2019 6:16:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The heavy rains that fell in parts of the country have wreaked havoc and mayhem in Gauteng where a woman died and households were destroyed after being flooded this week,”

citizen Thursday, December 12, 2019 9:10:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “On the contrary, the national dam levels have dropped from 57.6% to 56.1% this week,”

citizen Thursday, December 12, 2019 9:10:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “We are expecting that probably from Thursday or Friday, we should start seeing a little bit of a difference in terms of the dam levels”

eyewitness-news Tuesday, December 10, 2019 3:20:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The report suggests that the provincial levels are currently at 49% this week, declining by [0.1%] compared to last week’s when reading recorded 49.1%. The department still calls on water users to avoid wasting water and adhere to water restrictions imposed by their respective municipalities,”

citizen Friday, December 6, 2019 6:04:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau concluded : “Water is a scarce resource and catalytic towards economic development and it must, therefore, be conserved at all times,”

citizen Friday, December 6, 2019 6:04:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “This will be a document through which the nation will be called to action and they’ll be called to understand what happening with the water resources of the country”

eyewitness-news Thursday, November 28, 2019 2:56:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “We are nowhere near the water recovery we were hoping for this season,”

citizen Tuesday, November 26, 2019 9:53:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said ( about Kwazulu Natal ) : “The situation is not any better in KwaZulu-Natal either, with parts of the province experiencing severe dry conditions. Ugu district on the South Coast is distressed, with Harding, a small town off the coast, the hardest hit. The local dam has virtually dried up and residents are now dependent on tankered water and groundwater. Other towns that are experiencing water challenges are Mahlabathini, Nongoma and Ulundi in the hinterland of Zululand,”

iol Wednesday, November 6, 2019 2:02:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “South Africa receives 450 millilitres of rain a year, which is half the world rainfall. This can only mean that South Africans must increase their water conservation efforts and change their consumption patterns of this scarce resource in order to cope with the situation,”

iol Wednesday, November 6, 2019 2:02:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “during this dry season we are told that we would be receiving below average rain until December”

citizen Wednesday, November 6, 2019 9:44:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “Our department has put into place a funding plan negotiated with National Treasury for the War on Leaks programme to be announced later this month as part of the 2019 Mid-Term Budget Adjustment process,”

iol Monday, November 4, 2019 2:44:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “Our department has put into place a funding plan negotiated with National Treasury for the War on Leaks programme to be announced later this month as part of the 2019 Mid-Term Budget Adjustment process,”

the-star Monday, November 4, 2019 2:01:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “We urge people to use water conservatively not only now, but to see it as a way of life because South Africa is a water-scarce country,” “Things are bound to get worse if we don’t change the way we use water”

citizen Wednesday, October 23, 2019 12:13:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “Some of the heavy rainfalls will only start falling somewhere in the middle of December throughout the end of February, which is a bit difficult because those would result in localised flooding rather than consistent rainfall that would assist the catchment areas”

eyewitness-news Tuesday, October 22, 2019 7:46:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The matter is receiving attention at the highest level of government. Once a decision is taken a formal communique will be issued,”

the-star Monday, October 14, 2019 10:29:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The matter is receiving attention at the highest level of government. Once a decision is taken a formal communique will be issued,”

iol Monday, October 14, 2019 10:25:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “Slightly moving down this week, the IVRS declined from 66.3% last week to 65.5% this week. The present levels of the dam are lower compared to the same week last year when the system was at 81.4%,”

the-star Friday, September 13, 2019 1:18:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “Similarly recording a decline this week, the Grootdraai Dam slightly declined to 60.0% from last week’s 61.2%. In the preceding year at the same time the dam stood at 84.3%,”

the-star Friday, September 13, 2019 1:18:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “This week the Mohale and the Sterkfontein dams remained stagnant as they held to last week’s levels. The Mohale Dam is presently at 33% while the Sterkfontein hovers at 92%. However, what differentiates the two dams is that during the comparative period last year, the Mohale Dam floated at a trivial 23.1% and the Sterkfontein Dam was on the upsurge at 98.1%,”

the-star Friday, September 13, 2019 1:18:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau explained : “The infrastructure we have now is actually operating at full capacity. It operates in order to benefit a lot more people than what it was supposed to”

eyewitness-news Saturday, August 31, 2019 12:18:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "This week's levels of the Katse Dam are a far cry from the 54.7% it recorded last year at the same time. Last week, the dam was at 19.7%. Not much different from the Katse Dam, the Mohale Dam remains in an equally poor state. The dam dropped slightly from 33.2% last week to 33.1% this week. This is not a significant improvement from last year at the same period when the dam recorded 24.9%,"

irishsun Thursday, August 22, 2019 10:04:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "Four years ago, Sterkfontein came to the rescue of the Vaal Dam after the latter had dropped its levels to an alarming 38%,"

irishsun Thursday, August 22, 2019 10:04:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau says : “Further allocations are earmarked for the 11% social component of the project,”

miningweekly Friday, August 2, 2019 1:43:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “This run-off will hopefully penetrate other water systems including ground water,”

citizen Wednesday, July 31, 2019 8:31:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “Despite a dry winter, the Free State continues to store most volumes of water in its reservoirs compared to other provinces in the country. The latest weekly dam levels report by the Department of Water and Sanitation indicates that the province is nearing its full supply capacity of 13,235 cubic metres, 2,000 cubic metres short of reaching its full capacity”

citizen Wednesday, July 31, 2019 8:31:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “This runoff will hopefully penetrate other water systems including ground water,”

citizen Tuesday, July 30, 2019 7:11:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “As we [are] all aware, Western Cape receives winter rainfalls and this is the best time to practice water conservation initiatives, including driving down the demand and the use of municipal water, harvesting of rainwater, exploring and implementing alternative water sources, as well as recycling and the use of groundwater,”

citizen Tuesday, July 30, 2019 7:11:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “This runoff will hopefully penetrate other water systems including ground water,”

iol Tuesday, July 30, 2019 4:52:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “As we all aware Western Cape receives winter rainfalls and this is the best time to practice water conservation initiatives, including driving down the demand and the use of municipal water, harvesting of rainwater, exploring and implementing alternative water sources, as well as recycling and the use of groundwater,”

iol Tuesday, July 30, 2019 4:52:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau says : “To do justice to the (CER) report, the department is compiling a comprehensive response that will deal with all the issues raised and ensure proper perspective. We will also indicate some of the actions taken and even outcomes; some of which ended up in the courts”

iol Saturday, July 13, 2019 5:19:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau says : “To do justice to the (CER) report, the department is compiling a comprehensive response that will deal with all the issues raised and ensure proper perspective. We will also indicate some of the actions taken and even outcomes; some of which ended up in the courts”

the-star Saturday, July 13, 2019 5:03:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : ”After all parties’ arguments were made, the Former Minister of Water and Sanitation wrote a letter to the Licensee informing them that the suspension of their WUL [water use licence] was lifted and that they could continue with their activities,” “The letter by the Minister had a condition that the WUL activities would and must be monitored frequently by the WRS (DWS Western Cape Region), which to my understanding was done”

mg Saturday, July 13, 2019 1:30:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “Any form of pollution is an issue for us,”

themalaymailonline Friday, July 12, 2019 2:55:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "Any form of pollution is an issue for us,"

trust Thursday, July 11, 2019 12:45:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "Any form of pollution is an issue for us,"

EastAfrican Thursday, July 11, 2019 12:15:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “Any form of pollution is an issue for us,”

standardmedia Thursday, July 11, 2019 11:25:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "Any form of pollution is an issue for us,"

news-yahoo Thursday, July 11, 2019 3:31:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "The Department of Water and Sanitation wishes to assure the residents of Hammanskraal that the process to ascertain the quality of drinking water in the area is continuing in earnest. The drinking water samples were taken to the CSIR laboratory for microbiological, chemical, and physical analysis on 20 June 2019. The department is currently awaiting results of the analysis and will communicate these to relevant stakeholders as soon as they are available,"

iol Thursday, June 27, 2019 7:01:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The department of water and sanitation wishes to assure the residents of Hammanskraal that the process to ascertain the quality of drinking water in the area is continuing in earnest. The drinking water samples were taken to the CSIR laboratory for microbiological, chemical, and physical analysis on 20 June 2019. The department is currently awaiting results of the analysis and will communicate these to relevant stakeholders as soon as they are available,”

citizen Thursday, June 27, 2019 5:59:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “Power to the Western Basin acid mine drainage (AMD) pump station, on Mintails’s property, and the AMD Treatment Plant is thus compromised and the facility is currently not operational,” “If the pumping stops for a prolonged period, like a month, we run the risk of a decant of toxic and radioactive acid mine water into the surrounding Cradle of Humankind”

miningweekly Tuesday, June 4, 2019 3:54:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The water level in the void is around 9-metres below the surface and this is considered ample buffer capacity for now,”

miningweekly Tuesday, June 4, 2019 3:54:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau added : “It is important to know that this figure is a moving target (fluctuates) and is not fixed,”

the-star Wednesday, May 29, 2019 1:45:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The department continues to engage all its debtors, especially municipalities, through the Inter-Governmental Relations Framework to find common ground towards the eradication of the debt that is owed,”

the-star Wednesday, May 29, 2019 1:45:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “A court action is a very last resort after all other forms of engagement have not borne fruit. "Each entity is engaged and different outcomes may be arrived at,”

the-star Wednesday, May 29, 2019 1:45:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “As indicated, the legal route is a last resort,” “The department is more keen and eager to reach agreements based on engagements particularly as per the prescripts of the Inter-Governmental Relations Framework”

the-star Wednesday, May 29, 2019 1:45:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “We’re hoping that these rains will continue into the winter season so that we can have a recharge of the Western Cape dams because of the downfall we’ve had over the last few months,”

eyewitness-news Tuesday, May 21, 2019 5:46:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "Although vast parts of the Eastern Cape received heavy rains in the past two weeks, the regions of Gamtoos Valley and Makhanda remained a source of concern as they are almost dry of potable water,"

iol Wednesday, May 15, 2019 2:25:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau explained : “In Makhanda, residents rely on tankered water for basic use as the local river is left with the lowest levels. The average levels in the province have dropped fractionally to 62.4% this week,”

sanews Wednesday, May 15, 2019 10:32:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The DWS is engaging with the City of Ekurhuleni and Erwat, to raise the concerns and instruct Erwat to bring the works to optimal operation,”

iol Saturday, April 20, 2019 3:51:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “These include municipalities availing co-funding in the next financial year, the DWS having constant engagement with relevant stakeholders to resolve community disgruntlements where these occur, as well as adjudication and appointment of new contractors where previous contracts came to an end or contracts were terminated due to non-compliance or non-performance,”

sanews Thursday, February 28, 2019 1:56:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “Let us all be conscious of the delayed rains,” “It will take time to recharge the water courses, including ground water”

citizen Thursday, December 27, 2018 8:08:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “There is a risk of people getting sick to the extent that they lose their lives,”

citizen Saturday, December 22, 2018 8:49:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The merit of the matter was thus not debated,”

citizen Saturday, December 22, 2018 8:49:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “Although the metropolitan municipality provided a recovery plan in terms of what they would do with their improperly operating wastewater treatment waste, this was not satisfactory to the department and that is why we had to come to where we are today”

eyewitness-news Friday, December 21, 2018 11:26:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “Well, we are quite pleased with the fact that we have seen a slight increase with regards to the integrated Vaal River system. This has been very, very helpful for us because we know that last year this time we were dealing with matters that were not really in our hands but that were very difficult”

eyewitness-news Wednesday, December 13, 2017 12:45:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The department would like to indicate to the community, especially at Sheepmoor, that the Kliphoek Pump Station does not supply water directly to the community and it does not have the required infrastructure in place to do so,”

sanews Friday, September 8, 2017 5:35:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "We’d rather the practise of water saving becomes second nature‚"

thetimes-za Tuesday, February 28, 2017 1:37:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "It is not certain but we simply want to alert the residents in the area about a possibility of a flood as Douglas town is a junction where Vaal and Orange rivers meet‚"

thetimes-za Tuesday, February 28, 2017 1:37:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The current rains have been helpful in a number of ways to the entire integrated Vaal River system,”

the-star Thursday, February 23, 2017 4:15:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau added : “We need to get more rains and continue saving water if we’re going to survive the winter and get to the next rainy season,”

the-star Thursday, February 23, 2017 4:15:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The current rains have been helpful in a number of ways to the entire integrated Vaal River System,”

the-star Thursday, February 23, 2017 4:15:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau added : “We need to get more rains and continue saving water if we’re going to survive the winter and get to the next rainy season,”

the-star Thursday, February 23, 2017 4:15:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau added : "We need significantly above-normal rainfall. We have to remember that with high temperatures there is also a high evaporation rate. The more rain we get, the better. We need to take the message the municipalities say seriously"

the-star Thursday, January 12, 2017 3:01:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau added : "We need significantly above-normal rainfall. We have to remember that with high temperatures there is also a high evaporation rate. The more rain we get, the better. We need to take the message the municipalities say seriously"

iol Thursday, January 12, 2017 2:47:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau says : “We need to remember that we need to use water in a manner that will ensure that our reservoir [levels] do not drop drastically”

iafrica Saturday, January 7, 2017 11:51:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau says : “If we look at the national average, we'd have loved to be over the 70%, towards the 80-85% level to be able to be comfortably through the next winter season”

iafrica Friday, December 30, 2016 4:43:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “We stopped that‚ though‚ on the 22nd as planned‚ because of the rains that have been falling‚” “But we are also experiencing‚ as you would know‚ high temperatures‚ and it puts us in a situation where we do have some water loss due to that”

thetimes-za Thursday, December 29, 2016 11:08:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “We are still dealing with a drought, we’re still in it. People must continue saving water and using it sparingly, we must act as if there is no water and use it responsibly,”

the-star Tuesday, November 22, 2016 4:04:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “We are still dealing with a drought, we’re still in it. People must continue saving water and using it sparingly, we must act as if there is no water and use it responsibly,”

iol Tuesday, November 22, 2016 3:44:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "The heavy downpours and floods have not fed the Vaal River system. They have fed the Hartbeespoort Dam, which is a recreational dam"

thetimes-za Monday, November 14, 2016 7:49:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “We started [releasing water to the Vaal] this morning at 9am. We are starting [to transfer at an intensity of] 20 cubic metres per second‚ and escalating to about 70 cubic metres per second at the beginning of December. That will be the peak‚”

thetimes-za Monday, November 7, 2016 7:21:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The water will be flowing from Sterkfontein to Nuwejaarspruit‚ into the Wilge River and then ultimately into the Vaal‚”

thetimes-za Monday, November 7, 2016 7:21:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The plan is to release water before the Vaal Dam drops below 25% depending on the rate that the dam is dropping. The water will be released into the Nuwejaarspruit which joins the Wilge River in the outskirts of Harrismith flowing into the Vaal Dam. The release will be done in such a way to avoid flooding,”

iol Monday, November 7, 2016 3:36:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “There was a thorough assessment of the area. The area where the mine is [situated] is outside the sensitive area. Relevant stakeholders and internal specialists were consulted during the process of assessment of the application”

news24 Sunday, October 9, 2016 3:07:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "The province has water availability challenges and demand will be high during these seasons for both domestic and agricultural use and the best we can do is to conserve this scarce resource"

allafrica Thursday, September 1, 2016 2:55:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "We rely greatly on rain and we have not had much over two seasons and this is a cause for concern,"

thetimes-za Tuesday, June 14, 2016 8:16:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "At the moment water is available in parts of Letlhabile,"

thenewage Monday, March 23, 2015 12:25:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “At the moment water is available in parts of Letlhabile,”

iol Saturday, March 21, 2015 1:26:00 AM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “This outage started on Monday, 23 February and is planned to end on 9 March 2015,”

iol Thursday, February 26, 2015 10:34:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “Eskom therefore requested a 1/8department 3/8 outage to tie in with the permanent deviation of the pipeline to the existing structure as per 1/8department 3/8 approved design,” “The deviation of the structure has been approved by the 1/8department 3/8 engineers and the 1/8department 3/8 engineers are involved with the quality control during the construction phase”

iol Thursday, February 26, 2015 10:34:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : “The department is confident in the capacity of its workforce engaged in this task and that the work will be completed within the time targeted,” “The work that has already happened gives the department the full confidence that all care is being taken to ensure there are no glitches and the work has demonstrated how single-mindedness of purpose can achieve a lot”

iol Thursday, February 26, 2015 10:34:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "This outage started on Monday, 23 February and is planned to end on 9 March 2015,"

thetimes-za Thursday, February 26, 2015 10:20:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "Eskom therefore requested a [department] outage to tie in with the permanent deviation of the pipeline to the existing structure as per [department] approved design," "The deviation of the structure has been approved by the [department] engineers and the [department] engineers are involved with the quality control during the construction phase"

thetimes-za Thursday, February 26, 2015 10:20:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "The department is confident in the capacity of its workforce engaged in this task and that the work will be completed within the time targeted," "The work that has already happened gives the department the full confidence that all care is being taken to ensure there are no glitches and the work has demonstrated how single-mindedness of purpose can achieve a lot"

thetimes-za Thursday, February 26, 2015 10:20:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "This outage started on Monday, 23 February and is planned to end on 9 March 2015,"

thenewage Thursday, February 26, 2015 9:54:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "Eskom therefore requested a [department] outage to tie in with the permanent deviation of the pipeline to the existing structure as per [department] approved design," "The deviation of the structure has been approved by the [department] engineers and the [department] engineers are involved with the quality control during the construction phase"

thenewage Thursday, February 26, 2015 9:54:00 PM EAT

Sputnik Ratau said : "The department is confident in the capacity of its workforce engaged in this task and that the work will be completed within the time targeted," "The work that has already happened gives the department the full confidence that all care is being taken to ensure there are no glitches and the work has demonstrated how single-mindedness of purpose can achieve a lot"

thenewage Thursday, February 26, 2015 9:54:00 PM EAT