Bloemhof:Rehabilitation works are being conducted on the damaged upstream slope of the Bloemhof Dam, with the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) actively managing the situation. Engineering and technical specialists are overseeing the repair process to address the issues affecting communities, water users, and stakeholders.
According to South African Government News Agency, a contractor is already on site performing maintenance preparations under the guidance of department experts. The dam safety is being monitored while the integrated Vaal River System's dams are operated at elevated levels to ensure water security and manage potential floods. Bloemhof Dam currently stands at 109%.
Repair work will commence once a dry working area is established, necessitating the release of water to lower the dam to its full supply level of 100%. A release of 400 cubic meters per second is planned, expected to bring the level down within a week or two, without causing downstream flooding.
Further analyses are being conducted to determine the optimal dam level for balancing safety, water security, and flood management. The department emphasizes that dam safety is the priority, and any directives from the Dam Safety Office will be legally binding.
The department is committed to transparent communication, regularly updating stakeholders and the public on the progress of the maintenance program. Efforts are focused on completing repairs swiftly and safely to ensure the long-term resilience of this vital water resource.
