OPINION - As a water stressed country with ever increasing requirements, South Africa’s water security hinges on modernising dam infrastructure and reinforcing regulatory frameworks.

With the convergence of an aging dam portfolio, a mounting inspection backlog, underinvestment in the country’s dam infrastructure, a lack of skills and ineffective collaboration between the public and private sector, the consequences of neglect is beginning to ripple across ecosystems and economies alike.

The country now stands at a critical moment in its water management journey, one where consulting engineers have a pivotal role to play in balancing safety, sustainability and scalability – ensuring resilience against climate extremes and safeguarding communities.

Clearing the dam inspection backlog

According to a report by the Standing Committee on Public Accounts from September 2024, the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) currently faces a backlog of over 476 overdue dam inspection reports.

Dam safety evaluations must be submitted by dam owners for Category II and III dams every five years to ensure their safety. 

The inspections require an Approved Professional Person (APP) to prepare reports for the DWS to assign a condition rating to each dam, ranging from Good to Unsafe. 

This determines whether maintenance, rehabilitation, or upgrading is required. The department then monitors compliance and takes action based on these findings.

However, as the role of APP in itself is a specialist field and with many of our country’s APPs reaching retirement age, we are experiencing a backlog in inspections. Fewer large dams being constructed, coupled with fewer registrations of professional dam engineers, is widening this gap.  

In South Africa, dams with a safety risk are classified into three categories (I, II, and III) based on their size and hazard potential. Category I dams are small with low hazard potential, Category II are of medium risk and require professional involvement, and Category III are the highest risk, requiring the most attention from a dam safety perspective. Category III have less than 20 APPs nationwide.

While it is commendable that the DWS initiated a backlog eradication project, with plans to complete reviews by March 2026, the Department needs approximately R71 million to address this backlog. 

Consulting engineering firms, often more efficient and agile than government departments, have become essential partners in tackling this backlog.

By conducting efficient inspections of approximately five dams, per week and providing actionable remediation plans, identifying critical flaws and valve failures, and streamlining compliance with DWS regulations through proven methodologies, the risks of dam failures and water losses will be significantly reduced.

Guardians of standards and innovation

Consulting engineers have the responsibility of upholding environmental and safety standards. Recent dam inspections carried out by Lubisi Consulting Engineers revealed issues such as erosion of the earth embankment, overgrown vegetation and mechanical failures, each requiring expert assessment and tailored remedial action.

For example, during an inspection at the Korf Dam, that gets its supply of water from the Juksei River, a depression or hole caused by some form of collapse of the surface layer was discovered on the crest, while excessive vegetation on the downstream slope was also identified as a risk.

With the dam providing water for various uses at Leeuwkop Correctional Service Centre, recommendations were made for careful removal of the overgrown vegetation on the embankment and some minor earthworks to repair any depressions due to erosion and to prevent further erosion and structural compromise of the embankment.

When it comes to environmental compliance, especially in the wake of incidents such as the Lesotho Highlands Water Project wastewater spill, consulting engineers act as both project managers and accountability partners. 

It is up to us to recommend the appointments of environmental and health and safety agents and ensure that robust monitoring is in place throughout the construction and operational phases.

Why new dams matter

The lack of new dam construction in South Africa is another significant threat to water security, as this stagnation not only limits water storage capacity and resilience to climate extremes, but also erodes the pipeline of new engineering talent.

As fewer large dams are built, opportunities for young engineers to gain the specialised experience needed to become APPs diminish, exacerbating the skills shortage.

The implications of inaction when it comes to our country’s dams are profound. Without new storage and with increasing pressure from climate change, the country’s ability to buffer against drought and to supply growing urban and agricultural needs is compromised.

On the other side of this coin, the increase in occurrence of floods, exacerbated by illegal construction in floodplains, further highlights the need for integrated water management and strict enforcement of spatial planning regulations.

With fewer dams being built, there is also the missed opportunities for water reuse technologies and climate-adaptive infrastructure.

The way forward

To address the ongoing challenges, we advocate for a greater involvement of private consulting firms to clear inspection backlogs and mentor the next generation of APPs.

The appointment of specialised environmental and health and safety professionals on all major projects will further ensure compliance and reduce risks, while the adoption of new technology in water treatment and reuse, as well as advanced inspection and monitoring tools, will enhance efficiency and environmental performance.

Consulting engineers are at the heart of South Africa’s response to its water infrastructure crisis. Our expertise, accountability and innovative approaches are essential for clearing inspection backlogs and maintaining existing dams, as well as ensuring that future projects meet the highest standards of safety and sustainability.

Comment and opinion are that of the author and not necessarily shared by Group Editors, any of its publications or staff members.  

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