The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is urging all dam owners across South Africa to immediately register their dams and ensure compliance with safety regulations to mitigate potential risks to public safety and the environment. This call follows a recent gazette notice from Minister Pemmy Majodina, who emphasized the importance of registering dams that pose safety risks under the National Water Act and the Dam Safety Regulations. By doing so, the DWS aims to create an accurate and comprehensive database of dam ownership and compliance, which will enhance regulation and risk management, ultimately preventing accidents and damage to property, people, and water resources.
Wally Ramokopa, head of the DWS’s specialist unit for dam safety regulation, outlined the criteria for dams that must be registered. According to Ramokopa, dams with a storage capacity exceeding 50,000m³ (50 million liters) of water and a vertical wall height greater than 5 meters are considered to have a safety risk. This includes dams that may contain other substances besides water. The registration process is essential not only to safeguard communities but also to maintain an up-to-date record for effective regulatory oversight. Ramokopa also revealed that the department is launching a broad multimedia campaign to raise awareness about the critical need for dam registration and compliance with safety standards.
For those who have already registered their dams, the DWS urges them to update their details to ensure they are accurately reflected in the database. Dam owners who have yet to register their dams must submit the necessary forms, which can be downloaded from the DWS website or collected at local departmental offices. Registration and classification forms are essential for verifying that a dam meets the necessary safety criteria, and owners are encouraged to act promptly to avoid non-compliance.
One of the key compliance requirements is the mandatory safety inspection every five years. According to Wisane Mavasa, spokesperson for the DWS, dam owners must arrange for these evaluations to be conducted by an approved professional person (APP). During the inspection, the APP will conduct a flood frequency analysis to determine if the dam can withstand various flood scenarios. This process helps identify whether the dam could overtop in extreme weather conditions and provides valuable data on the dam’s structural integrity and flood-handling capacity.
Failure to comply with safety inspection protocols or to address any identified risks can lead to serious consequences. Mavasa warned that if an APP’s findings indicate that a dam is unsafe or at risk of failure, dam owners must take corrective action. If recommendations are not implemented, the DWS has the authority to issue directives compelling owners to comply. Ramokopa also stressed that the department will not hesitate to take punitive measures against dam owners who fail to meet legal requirements. He emphasized that ensuring dam safety is not just a regulatory obligation, but a critical step in protecting lives, the environment, and water resources for the future.
The DWS is calling on all dam owners to act without delay. Compliance with the regulations is a legal requirement, and failure to adhere to these standards could have severe consequences for both individuals and communities. Dam owners are encouraged to take immediate steps to register their dams, update their details, and arrange for the required safety inspections. For further assistance or inquiries, dam owners can contact the DWS’s specialist unit at [email protected] or reach out to Mokgadi Modipane at 082 802 7092 or Makgano Tlaka at 083 412 2649.
