Assessments and monitoring at the Senteeko Dam near Barberton are continuing as the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) works to reduce the risk of failure following heavy rainfall in the area.

The dam, officially registered as My Own Dam but commonly known as Senteeko Dam, has been classified as high risk, with experts warning that it is still too early to declare it safe. Although pressure on the dam wall has been slightly reduced, DWS officials say significant dangers remain.

An emergency spillway, constructed last week, has helped release excess water and lower the water level slightly. In addition, sandbags have been placed to prevent overtopping while further work continues.

Head of the Specialist Unit: Dam Safety at DWS, Wally Ramokopa, visited the site on Monday alongside a team of engineers and an Approved Professional Person (APP) to continue inspections and monitoring. An APP is an engineer registered with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) and specifically approved by the Minister of Water and Sanitation.

Ramokopa said the water level had dropped only a little since excavation began, and instability beneath the structure remains a concern.

DWS is expected to open a second spillway this week, with engineers currently widening it before excavating deeper to allow more water to be released in a controlled manner. Officials said careful management is essential to prevent water from rushing out too quickly and causing further damage.

Evacuation measures

Ramokopa urged nearby residents to remain calm, noting that only people within the floodplain, particularly some farming communities, may need to evacuate should conditions worsen. He added that Barberton residents should not panic, as the town is far from the floodplain.

He also indicated that communities in Mozambique and the Kingdom of Eswatini are not expected to be affected, with the nearest border along the flood path more than 160km downstream.

Private ownership responsibility

DWS confirmed the dam is privately owned, and the owner remains responsible for maintenance and repairs. However, any repair work must be properly designed, submitted, and approved by the department.

A WhatsApp group has been established to improve communication between the department, engineers and the dam owners as monitoring continues.

For now, DWS says its main priority is preventing failure and protecting lives, while long-term stability plans are considered.