en.Wedoany.com Reported - Despite severe delays due to funding shortages, COVID-19 disruptions, contractor procurement issues, and land/property disputes, the Clanwilliam Dam Wall Raising Project in South Africa's Western Cape province had progressed to 47% as of May. The project, fully funded by the National Treasury, is expected to be completed by October 2028, with an estimated cost of R7 billion.
Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, David Mahlobo, announced this progress during the budget and policy statement on May 15. Mahlobo stated that emergency works to stabilize the dam wall have been completed, which is crucial for addressing dam safety issues.
Upon completion, the dam wall will be raised by 13 meters, increasing the reservoir capacity from approximately 122 million cubic meters to about 344 million cubic meters. The expanded capacity is expected to increase annual water yield by 70 to 82 million cubic meters, thereby improving water supply security in the region. The project will also enhance the dam's safety and resilience during extreme flood events, support water rights allocation reforms, and create opportunities for emerging farmers. Additionally, it will strengthen long-term water security for agricultural, municipal, and industrial users in the Lower Olifants Valley, promoting economic growth, job creation, and broader socio-economic development across the West Coast region.
This project is a multi-component regional infrastructure initiative under the Olifants-Doorn River Water Resources Project. Based on a dam safety survey conducted in 2007, it was found that the foundation required reinforcement and repair to safely withstand modern flood design standards. Engineers first addressed the stability issues of the lower foundation and existing concrete structures, with these interventions confirmed as completed. Sections of the Old Cape Road affected by rising water levels need to be raised and realigned to maintain road access and safety. The Algeria Road intersection crossing the Olifants River has also been raised to avoid flood risks due to the new full supply level of the reservoir. The N7 national road, near the reservoir edge, was impacted, with its major realignment completed in 2017 by the South African National Roads Agency; current protection measures aim to ensure the route remains operational under revised hydrological conditions.
Simultaneously, the water distribution network downstream of the Bulshoek Dam is being upgraded and expanded to efficiently allocate water resources. The upgrades involve improving the canal system, expanding bulk water supply infrastructure, modernizing the water distribution system, enhancing irrigation efficiency, and advancing water rights allocation reforms. The goal is to ensure that additional water resources are effectively allocated to existing irrigators, municipal, and industrial users, while meeting environmental flow requirements and expanding water rights allocation opportunities for historically underserved emerging farmers.
The multi-disciplinary construction group Stefanutti Stocks has secured the main construction contract for civil engineering and dam raising operations. Infrastructure development and engineering company Bigen Africa has been appointed as the site supervision and contract management service provider to oversee the project. Subcontractor Phoenecian Group is responsible for earthworks, drilling, and blasting operations to prepare sites for concrete works.
