The democratisation of South Africa has significantly influenced water resources planning and the process which recently led to a decision by the government to proceed with a large dam. The dam is planned to serve Cape Town and its surrounding area, one of South Africa's largest cities and an important area for agricultural production. Skuifraam Dam was identified as an option during a study which reviewed the best means of reconciling supplief with water demands which were growing strongly at a rate of about 4.5 % per annum. A shortlist of options was developed after a five year study on which water demand management was the most favoured option. The list also included a number of conventional schemes, such as Skuifraam Dam, and less conventional schemes, such as clearing of invasive plants from catchment areas. This list was reviewed and agreed in a public process. A feasibility study was undertaken for Skuifraam Dam to determine not only the technical feasibility, but also whether the dam was socially acceptable. This involved an Environmental Impact Assessment involving the public in the process. Planning for the dam allowed for significant water releases to maintain the downstream riverine ecology. The study concluded that the dam was socially desirable, providing efforts were made to minimise certain adverse impacts. The Minister of Water Affairs, in announcing his approval of the scheme, requested any appeals against the scheme to be lodged and said he would only give a final go-ahead when he was satisfied with the Water Demand Management Programme established by the municipal authority. This was achieved about eighteen months later in May 1999. Recent South African legislation requires that developments which impact sensitive systems be approved by the Minister of Environmental Affairs. This approval was given and currently, a second round of appeals is being considered. The process followed has taken a long time, approximately ten years, but has built general consensus in favour of the dam. The time and effort involved need to be taken into account in the scheduling and costing of new schemes.
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