IUCMA Water Control Room

Because every raindrop counts

Droughts and floods can have a devastating effect on the economy of a country as well as the livelihoods and quality of life of communities. South Africa is especially prone to drought due to highly variable rainfall, both seasonally and over longer cycles of above and below average rainfall. Furthermore The Komati River basin is a shared river basin between South Africa, Eswatini and Mozambique which supplies water for irrigation, domestic and industrial purposes and energy production (thermal and hydropower). To ensure all stakeholders will have access to a sufficient amount of water, the three countries have defined operation rules and tresholds for water quantity and water quality at critical locations within the water system.

HydroNET solution and impact

The HydroNET Water Control Room has been implemented to allow action to be taken timeously to mitigate the effects of droughts, floods and water quality issues where possible. Data from difference sources such as the South African Weather Service (SAWS), eLEAF, the Department of Water and Sanitation and IUCMA are connected to HydroNET. The IUCMA Water control Room dashboards shows the current status of the water system including the weather, water quality, dam levels, water used for irrigation and water levels and discharge within catchment. Data is automatically compared to predefined thresholds such as the international obligations, to identify issues and potential solutions. This information helps IUCMA staff to make sustainable water management decisions for the benefit of all.