Requirements during the life of a dam
The DSC obtains its basic information on dams through a series of requests sent out to dam owners (see DSC14 for details) at various key stages in the development of a dam. For new dams, the DSC's initial objective is to ensure that they are designed and constructed according to appropriate engineering standards and safety criteria. Accordingly, owners and designers must provide details of proposed dams for the DSC's consideration at an early stage. After construction, dam dafety is monitored by requiring prescribed dam owners to arrange for:
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Proper operation and maintenance of their dams using trained personnel (see DSC12);
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Regular dam surveillance using trained personnel (see DSC15);
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Appropriate dam safety emergency plans to be in place for those dams whose failure could cause loss of non-itinerant life (see DSC12);
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Ongoing assessment of dam behaviour on the basis of surveillance information (see DSC15);
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Periodic review of their dam's compliance with current DSC requirements (see DSC11 to DSC19);
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Review of all dam information and assessments by experienced personnel (see DSC2, DSC14, DSC15);
- Actions, in response to dam assessments, to ensure that their dams are maintained in a safe condition (see DSC2).
However, if the DSC considers that a prescribed dam is unsafe, or may become unsafe, it may give notice, under S.18 of the Dams Safety Act 1978, requiring the dam owner to take actions necessary to ensure the dam's safety.