Ncandu dam – sink or swim

The future of the controversial Ncandu Dam was revealed last week.

At the uThukela Water annual general meeting, the question was posed by Peter Hair on behalf of the Newcastle Ratepayers Association.

The question was if the dam was going ahead or not.

Responding, uThukela Water board members said a proposal had been tabled and was being considered by relevant authorities.

Stakeholder input, financial viability and more were being taken into account.

Dan Naidoo, board chairman said the proposal had been sent to national government, for ministers to assess the benefits against available funding.

Hannelie Hickley elaborated on the project’s status.

“Water Affairs (DWA) requested input from the Water Services Authorities (WSAs) and uThukela Water. This dam has been proposed for 15 years in varying forms.”

Limited raw water resources are the reason the envisioned dam remains relevant.

Research had revealed, Mrs Hickley said, the Ncandu catchment was insufficient and two other possible sites for the dam had been identified.

These are the Ngogo and Mboneni (near Margate).

“Higher sites can assist with a wider area.”

It was determined the idea of a dam feeding from the Ncandu River was not the best option, but Mrs Hickley conceded it was up to DWA and the WSAs to deliberate.

Mr Naidoo said ultimately the right footprint had to be made.

This involved the balancing of resources against what could be recouped, which necessitated elevating the project to a viability study stage.

“The key though is to secure water resources.”