Environmental Impact Assessment
for the Hazelmere Dam Raising

A positive Record of Decision was issued by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism on the 4th of November 2009. The appeal period expired on 5 December 2009 and no appeals were received.

PROJECT BACKGROUND AND LOCATION

The Hazelmere Dam is located approximately 5km north of Verulam on the Mdloti River, KwaZulu-Natal. The project was initiated by DWAF in 2001 and was registered with the Department of Agriculture & Environmental Affairs (DAE) and the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) under the Environmental Conservation Act (Act 73 of 1989). The EIA was conducted using the ECA regulations. Due to the significant increase in development within the supply area and consequently, the increased demand for water, the need to proceed with the raising of the Hazelmere Dam is of utmost importance.

The project includes raising the dam’s existing full supply level (FSL) from that of 86.0 m.a.s.l to 93.0 m.a.s.l, thereby increasing storage capacity and enabling Umgeni Water to provide a reliable source of water to meet the demand of the rapidly growing urban and industrial users within the supply area.

The dam was completed in 1976 and was originally designed and built to accommodate the proposed 7m increase in dam height by means of radial gates. The DWAF Hazelmere Dam Raising Feasibility Study (2001), recommended that radial gates proved to be the best option for achieving the desired height increase due to their proven reliability, cost effectiveness and the provision of the existing dam to accommodate these gates, resulting in minimal additional modifications.

The resultant increase in dam height will inundate an additional 100ha of land and increase the shoreline of impoundment by over 4km. This will occur mostly within areas purchased for the dam basin, as well as a small area located in the headwaters. As most of the land within the reservoir basin was initially purchased by the Department of Works in anticipation of the proposed raising, the small area affected by the inundation of the raised dam will have to be purchased.

The negative impacts of the project include the inundation of some of the infrastructure and graves at the Oakford Priory, the inundation of small-scale commercial land, the loss of public amenities (roads, chalets, recreational facilities), the impact on the downstream eco-system and the loss of natural habitats. These impacts were thoroughly investigated with suitable mitigation measures proposed to negate/minimise the impacts.

The most significant positive impact of the proposed dam raising will be the assurance of water supply to the growing urban and industrial users, due to the increased capacity of the dam. This will ensure continued economic growth, without compromising the levels of health and sanitation for the North Coast residents. Other positive impacts include job creation, the creation of new aquatic habitats (as a result of the increased shoreline) and the inundation of alien/exotic vegetation.

PROJECT NEED AND MOTIVATION

The need for the reliable provision of water is the driving force behind the project. Northern eThekwini is experiencing unprecedented urban and industrial development eg. The King Shaka International Airport. As a result of this development and others, the demand placed on water usage has reached a critical phase. At current developmental trends, the demand for water in Northern eThekwini will outstrip supply by the end of 2008.

The increasing siltation levels of the dam further exacerbates the problem of ensuring adequate water supply to water users within the supply area. The flood of 1987, together with the normal rates of sedimentation, has reduced the storage capacity of the dam by almost 30%.

In order to prevent critical water shortages in the affected areas, the project has been re-activated and the need for the dam raising has become crucial. The positive impacts of the project will ensure that the primary objective of assuring the supply of water to the industries and residents on the North Coast is met.

Figure 1: Topographical Map of the Hazelmere Dam