Question NW107 to the Minister of Water and Sanitation
25 March 2019 - NW107
Dreyer, Ms AM to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
(1)(a) How often must his department inspect dam infrastructure with regard to (i) dam walls and (ii) spillways and (b)(i) who conducts such inspections and (ii) under what statutory provisions is the person or entity authorised; (2) (a) on what date was the last inspection of each dam performed by his department in Gauteng and (b) what number of dams (i) passed and (ii) failed the inspection; (3) with regard to dams situated within the City of Ekurhuleni, (a) what concerns and recommendations were raised in respect of each dam, (b) on what date was the City of Ekurhuleni notified about the concerns and recommendations and (c) by what date was the City of Ekurhuleni expected to rectify all defects in the dam infrastructure, including dam walls and spillways, in each case?
Reply:
(1)(a) All dams classified as dams with a safety risk by the Directorate: Dam Safety Regulation (i.e. Dam Safety Office) and are category II and III in terms of size must be subjected to a compulsory 5 yearly dam safety evaluation by an Approved Professional Person (APP).
(1)(b) The owner of a Category II or III dam must appoint an Approved Professional Person (APP) to conduct a dam safety evaluation at 5 years intervals. This regulatory provision is in terms of Section 118 and 119 of the National Water Act as well as Government Notice R 139 of 24 February 2012 (i.e. Dam Safety Regulations).
(2) Refer to Annexure A for the inspection dates, number of dams that passed or failed the inspection in Gauteng.
(3)(a) Refer to Annexure B for the APP recommendations.
(3)(b) Refer to Annexure C for the letters of acceptance or rejection sent to the City of Ekurhuleni after receipt of the Dam Safety Evaluation report from the APP.
(3)(c) Refer to Annexure C.
--00O00---