The current drought, which has gripped the area for the past 18 months, has prompted many residents to ask why steps have not been taken to attend to maintain the dams while the water level is so low.
One reader said he was aware of a crack in the Donald McHardy dam wall and that this is the ideal time to carry out repairs.
Responding to these queries, Luiz Cunha, acting managing director and chief financial officer of uThukela Water, the entity responsible for the bulk water services in the district, said his Board ‘periodically obtains dam safety reports (every five years) from dam specialists in terms of the Water Act.’
“The current report received makes no mention of a crack in the wall of the Donald McHardy dam.
However, there is mention of a small crack in the Tom Worthington dam wall, Hattingspruit, and this matter is contained within the Board’s current maintenance plan. We are in discussions with the municipality to obtain funding to carry out some of the more major repairs. The minor maintenance issues are being done through the existing operational budget.
“uThukela Water is pushing for these issues to be attended to while the dams are low/empty.”
Donald McHardy dam has been reduced to a mud pool and Tom Worthington dam has receded alarmingly. Endumeni is totally reliant on the Buffalo River for its water needs.