The biggest concern is that they are storing water above the 100% level. The flood line is between 100 and 125% but it’s not for storage, it is for flood emergencies – business owner.
Anchor Creek resort is one of the businesses around the Vaal Dam that suffered a huge blow in the aftermath of April’s high dam levels.
According to the department of water and sanitation, the dam is currently sitting at 107.3% which is a slight increase from last week’s 106.3.
Business owner points to incompetency
Carl Geldenhuys, owner of Anchor Creek Resort, is frustrated that the dam level is being kept over 100%. His business was among those heavily flooded after April’s heavy rains.
He emphasised that in the 25 years he has owned the business, this year has been the worst it has been affected and blamed it on poor management of the dam.
“I’ve had this property for 25 years. This is the first time in the 25 years that this incompetency and mismanagement of water affairs has taken place.”
Concerns fall on deaf ears
Geldenhuys’ attempts to get assistance from the Free State tourism minister fell on deaf ears. He is constantly being met with “the property is on the flood line and that’s the bottom line”.
“A very good solution would be to put people who are competent and have experience into managing affairs in the Vaal water system. We currently have inexperienced people who just want to keep dam levels at a high percentage and look good when they report in parliament,” he said.
“Someone has to look into the qualifications of the minister of water affairs because she is definitely not up to the job. She is some cadre deployed minister not willing to take any advice.”
Soggy surrounds
Anchor Creek also offers accommodation to customers and has thus faced a challenge in providing that service as the flooding continues to damage the property. With the dam level over 100% full, water is coming to the surface from the bottom of the pool area and other structures within the resort.
Geldenhuys has to constantly drain the water but more comes to the surface. It’s a losing battle. “Customers don’t want to walk over bricks to get to their accommodation. I have had to reduce staff because there are not enough customers. We can’t use part of the facilities, my campsite is under water and can’t be used at all,” he said.
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