Models of 'appropriate' practice in private dam safety assurance
Date
1999
Authors
McKay, J.M.
Pisaniello, J.D.
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Journal article
Citation
Water Policy, 1999; 1(5):525-550
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Abstract
Large dams are generally built and managed by Governments and private dams are built by individual owners. A number of horrific failures of both types have triggered serious concerns over the safety of dams in each country. For the larger dams, the response has been to spend vast amounts on structural upgrading works. Unfortunately, only a few countries have developed mature dam safety assurance schemes for smaller private dams as identified here. Dam safety legislation is often considered too 'extreme' and alternative action is proposed but rarely follows. This is largely because there are no uniform systematic guidelines on determining the level of assurance policy that is 'appropriate' for varying circumstances. This paper establishes such guidelines together with eclectic policy models of 'appropriate' practice, based on a comprehensive review and analysis of international best practice.