The desilting of the Nqweba Dam in Graaff-Reinet has been tabled and can become a reality.
The Dr Beyers Naude Local Municipality’s director of infrastructure, Bennie Arends, in a summary of his committee’s March 11 standing committee meeting, reported to council the intent to desilt the dam.
Arends reported that there would be no financial implication to council, since the project would be funded by the Department of Water and Sanitation and private funders. It is stated that the project would be funded by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency, the Water Research Council and private non-governmental organisations.
“The project will address long-term water security by increasing the capacity of the dam,” Arends said.
The scope of works is the dredging of 1 000 000m³ of silt, dredging tools and equipment and all other related studies and inspections by professionals.
A team of specialists from the Graaff-Reinet Economic Forum presented the plan to desilt the dam to the technical joined operational meeting during October 2021, which included representatives from the Department of Water and Sanitation and the Department of Environmental Affairs.
Councillor Andile Nofemele proposed the item tabled before council, seconded by Councillor Nathan Jacobs.