Question no: 185
Ms A T Lovemore (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:
(1) (a) Which dams are currently regarded in terms of the dam safety rehabilitation programme as (i) in need of rehabilitation and (ii) in urgent need of rehabilitation and (b) why these dams are considered in need of urgent rehabilitation;
(2) Whether funding is available to carry out the required rehabilitation; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) Whether any dams pose a safety risk to areas downstream; if not, how was this conclusion reached; if so, what risks;
(4) Whether any action (a) has been taken and (b) will be taken with regard to such risks; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?
Reply:
(1)(a)(i) Dams in need of rehabilitation: Majola, Magwa, Albert Falls, Rust de Winter, Kromellenboog, Klein Marico, Elandsdirft, Clanwilliam, Nzhelele, Grassridge, Glen Brock, Tsojana, Cata, Mnyameni, Mhlanga, Mankanzana.
(1)(a)(ii) Dams in urgent need of rehabilitation: Nsami, Molepo, Chuniespoort, Acornhoek, Bospoort, Mashashane, Gcuwa, Toleni, Lakeside and Belfort Dam.
(1)(b) All of these dams, with the exception of the Belfort Dam, have been identified as having inadequate spillway capacity to handle big floods.
(2) Funds are available for the works. An amount of R514 000 000 has been budgeted on the MTEF from 2009/10 onwards for the next three years for the purpose of the above rehabilitation works.
(3) All departmental dams pose a safety risk to areas downstream and have therefore been classified in terms of Regulation R1560 of 1986 on the basis of its size and hazard potential to determine the level of control over the safety of such structure in terms of these Regulations. All risks associated with these dams involve either potential loss of life or economic loss or both.
(4)(a) and (b) The current departmental standards on risk in relation to dam safety are benchmarked against international standards. Five yearly dam safety inspections conducted in terms of Regulation R1560 form the basis for identifying dams requiring rehabilitation work.
Issued by: Department of Water and Environmental Affairs
28 September 2009
