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NATIONAL WATER RESOURCE STRATEGY SOUTH AFRICA’S WATER SITUATION AND STRATEGIES TO BALANCE SUPPLY AND DEMAND BREEDE WMA. WMA 18: Breede - Rainfall and Evaporation. WMA 18: Breede - Base Map. WMA 18: Breede - Land Use. WMA 18: Breede - Sectoral Water Requirements (2000).
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NATIONAL WATER RESOURCE STRATEGY SOUTH AFRICA’S WATER SITUATION AND STRATEGIES TO BALANCE SUPPLY AND DEMAND BREEDE WMA
Sectoral contributions to the economy (1997) 40 % National 30 % Breede WMA 20 % Contribution 10 % 0 % Other Trade Mining Finance Transport Electricity Agriculture Community Government Construction Manufacturing
WMA 18: BreedeGroundwater • Groundwater is important component of water resources in Breede WMA • Most of groundwater abstraction is in Warmbokkeveld and Upper Breede River Valley & Hex Valley - used for irrigation • Close connectivity between surface and groundwater • Little potential for increasing abstraction of groundwater in these areas (increased abstraction will cause corresponding reduction in surface water flow) • Groundwater also used for some towns (inland and coastal) as well as for rural and livestock • Significant quantities of water believed to be abstractable from deep fractured rock aquifers of the Table Mountain Group geological formations
WMA 18: Breede Water quality • Surface water and groundwater quality of high standard in upper reaches of rivers and in mountainous areas • Water quality in Breede River is highly impacted upon by irrigation return flows • Influence of geological formations also has an effect on water quality in middle reaches of Breede River with an increase in salinity further downstream • Water in the eastern coastal rivers is of natural high mineral content • Important that groundwater be carefully managed to prevent the intrusion of seawater into aquifers • No biological contamination of groundwater
WMA 18: Breede Key issues • Water use dominated by irrigation • Water from the Berg WMA is stored in Breede WMA - large quantities of water transferred from Breede WMA for high value (urban, industrial) uses in the Berg WMA • Additional transfers to the Berg WMA likely to be required in future to serve Greater Cape Town area • Shortfalls in water supplies currently experienced at some coastal towns • mostly seasonal • projected to increase as result of growth in these areas
WMA 18: Breede Key issues (2) • Water in the Lower Breede River highly saline due to combination of geological influences and irrigation return flows - blending with fresh water is required to manage salinity levels • Strong interdependence between surface water and groundwater - large proportion of base flow in Breede River / Overberg Coastal being from groundwater • Substantial potential for further development of surface water resources - extent will depend on affordability and requirements for the Reserve • Climate change may have a major impact on future availability of as well as requirements for water in WMA
WMA 18: Breede Water resources under control of the Minister • Transfer of water between Breede and Berg WMAs at Riviersonderend/Berg River Scheme • Transfer out of water from Palmiet River to Berg WMA • Smaller transfers of water out from Breede to Berg and Olifants/Doring WMAs • Transfer of water into Breede WMA from Gouritz WMA for rural water supply purposes