Western Cape environmentalists and farmers are increasingly concerned about the multi-million rand proposal to build the Skuifraam Dam near Franschoek, saying it was a ”looming disaster”.
They are concerned that the construction of the dam could increase salinity in the Berg River and damage the river’s ecology.
”There is currently a huge debate and scientific investigation taking place to see how the building of the dam will affect the salt content of the water,” said chairman of the Sustainable Water Forum, John Taylor.
He said his forum formed part of a diverse environmental monitoring committee looking at the Berg Water Project. ”There have been concerns raised that the dam could result in the water becoming too salty, with adverse effects on the river’s ecology and vegetation. It could also mean that water for irrigation at farms from Franschoek to the West Coast are affected and drinking water for people in Saldanha and Velddrift as well,” he said.
Taylor said that non-governmental organisations did not have enough resources to properly oppose the construction of the dam, likening it to a sort of David and Goliath confrontation.
”The problem is not just about now, but what happens in the future, with planning for about three or four dams to be extended. We must draw the line with Skuifraam,” he said.
Independent environmental consultancy Anchor — which forms part of the environmental baseline study group — confirmed that concerns about the water quality were raised.
”One of the possible outcomes is that the dam reduces the amount of fresh water in the river and estuary… with the lower 60 to 70 kilometres of the river particularly affected with increased salinity,” said Anchor’s Dr Barry Clark.
He said once construction of the dam was completed researchers would continue monitoring the water, so that data could be used to ”regulate the amount of water that must be released from the dam to maintain the status quo”.
A representative for the Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority, in charge of building the dam, said that a ”process of public participation was underway” to look at the environmental impacts.
”We are looking at starting the infrastructure for building the dam by the end of 2003, and start dam construction early next year,” said Liezl Viljoen.
She said the dam was scheduled to be completed in 2007 at an estimated cost of R1,4-billion. The project was expected to yield an additional 81-billion litres of water per year and will supplement the existing water supply facilities of among others the Theewaterskloof, Voelvlei, Palmiet, Wemmershoek and Steenbras dams. – Sapa