The Lugeon Test: Methodology, Interpretation, and Applications in Geotechnical Engineering

A dam owner is defined as the Central Government or a State Government or public sector undertaking or local authority or company, and any or all of such persons or organizations, who own, control, operate, or maintain a specified dam.

This definition highlights several key aspects of a dam owner:

• Ownership and Control: They are the entities that possess and manage the dam structure.
• Operational Responsibility: Dam owners are responsible for the operation and maintenance of the dam. This includes the safe functioning of the dam and its appurtenant works.
• Safety Accountability: The dam owner is directly responsible for any consequences that may arise from a dam failure. They are tasked with ensuring dam safety, which involves keeping threats to acceptable levels and protecting human life, property, and the environment.
• Compliance with Regulations: Dam owners are obligated to comply with statutory requirements for executing rehabilitation work at dam sites and should exercise appropriate discretion when addressing environmental issues. The Dam Safety Bill (2019/2017) makes hazard classification compulsory for all large dams and defines dam owners' responsibilities for developing modern dam safety programs. They must prepare Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) and ensure comprehensive safety evaluations are made.
• Maintenance and Inspections: Dam owners are expected to routinely and periodically inspect the dam and its appurtenant structures, implement instrumentation programs for monitoring dam performance, and perform necessary maintenance or remedial work. They should also ensure adequate funds for these activities.
• Emergency Preparedness: Dam owners are responsible for preparing and implementing EAPs to prevent or mitigate the effects of dam failure, including developing procedures for notification and response to emergencies. They must coordinate with disaster management agencies and regularly update and test their EAPs.
• Record Keeping: They are responsible for maintaining permanent records of inspections, monitoring data, and actions taken to correct deficiencies.
• Environmental and Social Considerations: Dam owners should integrate environmental concerns into rehabilitation projects, obtain necessary clearances, and implement mitigation measures. This also includes developing and implementing Catchment Area Treatment (CAT) plans.

The dam owner holds significant and wide-ranging responsibilities to ensure the safe functioning, sustained operation, and environmental protection of dams and their appurtenant structures.

Here are the key roles and responsibilities of a dam owner:

• Overall Dam Safety Management

  • Primary Responsibility: Dam owners are directly responsible for any consequences resulting from a dam failure. They must ensure that dams are designed, constructed, operated, and maintained as safely and effectively as reasonably possible to protect life, property, and the environment.
  • Risk Management: It is essential for dam owners to manage the risks associated with the operation and maintenance of a dam through an effective dam safety monitoring program. They are responsible for formally accepting dam safety actions.
  • Adherence to Guidelines and Regulations: Dam owners should exercise appropriate discretion while addressing environmental issues, preparing hazard potential classification reports, flood risk maps, instrumentation programs, and operation and maintenance manuals. They must be aware of applicable environmental and social regulations and their safeguards to ensure compliance and timely action for statutory clearances.
  • Implementation of Dam Safety Act: The Dam Safety Bill (2019/2017) makes hazard classification compulsory for all large dams in India, under the responsibility of State Dam Safety Organisations. This bill also defines dam owners' responsibilities for developing modern dam safety programs including inspections, monitoring, operation rules, Emergency Action Plans (EAPs), dam safety evaluations, and risk assessments.

• Operation and Maintenance (O&M)

  • Develop and Implement O&M Manuals: Dam owners are responsible for developing dam-specific Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Manuals, which serve as a guiding force throughout the project's life cycle. These manuals should be available before the initial filling of the reservoir.
  • Ensure Proper Operation: This includes operating reservoir controls and releases (e.g., for irrigation, power generation) according to established rule curves and procedures.
  • Regular Maintenance: Perform routine and periodic maintenance tasks to keep the dam and its appurtenant structures in sound condition, prevent deterioration, and extend the dam's service life. This also includes maintaining electrical and hydro-mechanical equipment.
  • Budget Allocation: Identify and consider all costs associated with the O&M program to prepare an adequate budget. In cases where dams are controlled by other entities (e.g., State Electricity Boards), the dam owner (e.g., Water Resources Department) should receive sufficient funds for O&M.
  • Assign Responsibilities: Clearly identify officers by their designation who are responsible for project administration, equipment operations, flood forecasting, authorizing releases, data recording, routine inspection, maintenance, and dam safety surveillance.

• Emergency Preparedness and Response (EAP)

  • Prepare and Implement EAPs: Dam owners (or operators) are responsible for preparing Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) to prevent or lessen the effects of dam failure, define notification procedures, and protect lives and property downstream.
  • Event Detection and Classification: Identify distress conditions at the dam and classify the emergency level based on severity.
  • Notification and Coordination: Notify affected political jurisdictions, appropriate state/central agencies, and downstream residents. This involves coordination with emergency management authorities and other dam owners in the vicinity.
  • Response Actions: Take actions to save the dam and minimize impacts, continuously assessing the situation and informing others. This includes being available for emergency response during weekends and holidays.
  • Regular Updates and Testing: Update the EAP annually for contacts and conduct tabletop drills at least once every five years to test efficacy and identify revision requirements.
  • Documentation and Review: Document the results of after-action reviews in a report and use them as a basis for revising the EAP. Ensure the complete, up-to-date EAP is available to relevant authorities.

• Inspections and Monitoring

  • Conduct Inspections: Implement a dam safety inspection program to ascertain dam performance, identify deficiencies, assess soundness, and ensure proper operation and maintenance. This includes pre-monsoon and post-monsoon inspections annually, and inspections during/after floods, earthquakes, or other calamities if distress is noted.
  • Perform Visual Observations: On-site personnel (dam owners/operators, maintenance staff) should perform frequent visual inspections as the "first line of defense" to identify signs of distress or unusual conditions.
  • Instrumentation Monitoring: Make a firm commitment to an ongoing monitoring program using instrumentation to understand the dam's structural behavior, detect changes in performance, and improve O&M efficiency. This includes setting limiting values for data and initiating investigations when values are exceeded.
  • Participation in Reviews: Actively participate in comprehensive dam safety review inspections, providing necessary data and facilities for expert panels. They should arrange wrap-up meetings with the Dam Safety Review Panel (DSRP).
  • Reporting and Documentation: Maintain permanent records of inspections, monitoring data, and actions taken to correct deficiencies. Summarize and document dam deficiencies in systems like DHARMA.

• Environmental and Social Safeguards

  • Integrate Environmental Concerns: Systematically address environmental safeguard requirements in dam rehabilitation projects.
  • Obtain Clearances: Fulfill regulatory requirements for environmental and social safeguards, including obtaining necessary clearances and permissions under various rules and regulations. This includes submitting proposals for forest clearance as the "User Agency".
  • Implement Mitigation Measures: Plan and implement environmental and social mitigation measures during project execution.
  • Corporate Environmental Responsibility (CER): Incorporate CER as a condition of Environmental Clearance, including budget allocation for CER activities in addition to pollution control and environmental protection costs.
  • Catchment Area Treatment (CAT) Plan: Develop and implement CAT plans in consultation with the State Forest Department, including year-wise schedules and monetary allocation, ensuring completion before reservoir impoundment.

• Rehabilitation and Repairs

  • Plan and Execute Rehabilitation Works: Implement rehabilitation measures as part of effective operation and maintenance. This involves planning, designing, and preparing estimates for necessary repair, maintenance, replacement, or rehabilitation.
  • Implement Recommendations: Ensure that remedial measures recommended by Dam Safety Review Panels (DSRPs) are carried out in a timely manner with adequate funds.

• Communication and Public Safety

  • Public Safety Measures: Implement public safety instructions and protection measures, such as providing signboards at appropriate locations. For sudden spillway releases, mark danger levels, set warning posts, install movable barriers, fence high-risk areas, and forewarn tourists via SMS.
  • Transparency: Consult with disaster management agencies and other concerned departments to bring transparency and allay unwarranted fears on dam safety issues. Ensure communications are open and transparent, focusing on both benefits and risks.
  • Security: For dams of national importance, ensure a fool-proof security arrangement is in place.