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Minister Pemmy Majodina of the Department of Water and Sanitation has issued an urgent directive for dam owners to register their properties posing a safety risk. This notice, published in the Government Gazette on 29 November, mandates a 60-day deadline for all owners of unregistered dams to comply. The registration applies to existing dams with safety risks, as outlined in Section 120 of the National Water Act, 1998 (Act 36 of 1998), and Regulation 37 of the Dam Safety Regulations R 139 of 24 February 2012.
The department’s director, Wally Ramakopa, emphasised that this registration process aims to enhance public safety, protect property, and safeguard water resources. Dam owners are urged to verify their registration status, complete the necessary forms, and arrange for safety inspections to ensure compliance with the law.
A ‘dam with a safety risk’ is defined as one that holds more than 50 000m³ of water, regardless of its composition and has a wall with a vertical height greater than five meters, measured from the lowest downstream ground elevation to the top of the dam wall. Dams meeting these criteria are classified according to categories 1, 2, or 3, depending on their size and safety risk. However, only those that meet the safety risk threshold need to be registered.
Importance of registration
Ramakopa further explained that the department aims to reach out to owners of the 5 700 registered dams but cannot identify which dams remain unregistered until incidents such as those in the Western Cape or the Jagersfontein failure occur. These incidents underscore the importance of dam safety education and the need for the registration process. During the 60-day grace period, dam owners will not face prosecution for failing to register their dams.
Once a dam is registered, owners are legally required to arrange for inspections by an Approved Professional Person every five years. The inspection reports must be submitted to the department’s safety office. These inspections are critical for ensuring the safety of the dam and the surrounding communities.
Janse Rabie, head of Agri SA’s Natural Resources Centre of Excellence, has expressed full support for the dam registration process. He pointed out that while this registration is mandatory, it only applies to dams with a safety risk – those exceeding 5 meters in height and a capacity of 50 000m³ or more of water. Rabie highlighted that although registration has been a statutory requirement for years, the Department of Water and Sanitation is now placing increased emphasis on it due to the significant risks posed by unregistered dams. Rabie also cited the devastating effects of previous dam failures, such as those in the Western Cape and Jagersfontein, where floodwaters severely impacted local communities.
The 60-day registration deadline serves as a final opportunity for dam owners to comply without facing penalties, and authorities stress the importance of taking immediate action to prevent future disasters. – Elmarie Smit, Plaas Media
Click here to read the notice in the Government Gazette of 29 November 2024.
