Hazelmere Dam back to safe level soon

The utility says the dam was full to the brim - thanks to last week's downpours. 

Spokesperson Shami Harichunder says teams have been draining the dam since Sunday to try and get it to a 53% level. "It is a dam safety requirement to keep the level of the dam at 53% because if we exceed that it poses all sorts of safety risks," he says. 

READ: UPDATE: Hazelmere Dam levels drop to 63% - residents to remain on high alert

He also adds, "We don't want to take chances, and the best thing to do in the circumstances is releasing water." 

When the draining process began, Umgeni Water warned people living near the dam and Umdloti River to keep away, as the water being released into the river meant it would overflow. 

NOW READ: Water levels reduced at Hazelmere Dam, residents told to keep away

Harichunder says they've since reduced the amount of water being released. 

He says when they last looked at figures, it indicates that they are close to getting to 53%, "As water is being released, water is also coming into the dam which is consequence of recent rains. So we need to balance the amount of water coming in, is similiar to the amount of water we are releasing," says Harichunder.