Newcastle’s new dam: Municipality and DWS provide update

According to the Newcastle Municipality, the government entity is driving development within the Newcastle community, determined to see the town evolve into a formidable force in KwaZulu-Natal. One of the ways the Municipality is pushing development is by seeing a new dam built.

Newcastillian News initially reported that the Municipality was looking into having a new dam built in October 2023.

At the time of the initial article, Newcastle Municipal Speaker, Cllr Thengi Zulu explained that the Municipality was still in the planning stages, with the initial goal being to situate the dam either near Ncandu Falls or in the Normandien area.

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Now, over six months later, the Newcastle Municipality is still driving to have the new dam built, with the Municipal Manager, Zamani Mcinecka noting that the new dam would benefit the Newcastle Community in multiple ways.

He told Newcastillian News that through the extensive population growth within Newcastle, Ntshingwayo (Chelmsford) Dam and its Ingagane Water Works would not be able to accommodate the community for much longer, if the population continued to grow steadily. It is with this mind, that he said the Newcastle Municipality conducted a study in October 2005, titled Ncandu River Dam project.

While the project took a back seat over the years, Mcinecka explained that once he was made aware of the study and the project, he immediately took steps to see the project resurrected.

He further said that he had been in several meetings and discussions with the necessary officials and the MEC for the Department of Water and Sanitation to see the construction of the dam come to fruition.

The Newcastle Municipality is currently awaiting feedback from the department and its officials, with Mcinecka noting that he would personally be following up on the matter in the coming days, as to ensure the project becomes a reality.

Moreover, with the Newcastle Municipality’s administration pushing for the new dam, Mcinecka explained that through the new dam working alongside Ntshingwayo Dam, both Newcastle East and Newcastle West could rest assured that water security was secured.

Additionally, he noted, “The construction of a new dam would definitely be beneficial in the long run, as the Ncandu Weir cannot hold the large volumes of water that occur during the rain season. The local rivers also flood during the rain season and by constructing a new dam, we can also see the chances of flooding in town, such as what took place in February 2023, minimised.”

As the Newcastle Municipality now pushes for the dam, the Department of Water and Sanitation’s spokesperson Mavasa Wisane added, “The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is investigating a number of potential water resources, including dams in Buffalo River, with a view to develop one of the sites in order to meet the current and future water requirements for Newcastle and surrounding areas. This includes a dam site previously identified in the Buffalo River System in 2014 as one of the possible interventions for the area.”

Wisane also emphasised that the DWS supported local water resource development initiatives by the Water Service Authorities like Newcastle Local Municipality and would work collaboratively on water resource developments that strengthen water security within their locality.

As the necessary steps are now taken to secure a new dam within Newcastle’s borders, what are your thoughts on the above? Share your views in the comment section below.