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Alternative water resources

Alternative water resources. Presentation to Portfolio Committee 14 September 2005. Alternative water resources. Alternative to what? – Surface and groundwater most used currently Let us consider all options Most options technically feasible but the costs of some is prohibitive

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Alternative water resources

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  1. Alternative water resources Presentation to Portfolio Committee 14 September 2005

  2. Alternative water resources • Alternative to what? – Surface and groundwater most used currently • Let us consider all options • Most options technically feasible but the costs of some is prohibitive • Water is not the issue, affordability is • Some options will work better along the coast

  3. Improbable for near future • Towing of icebergs • Huge logistical challenge • Feasibility not proven • More expensive than to ship fresh water from Zambezi/Congo • Let others try it first

  4. Improbable (continued) • Shipping water from Zambezi/Congo • Possible • Large tanker operation • Reconnaissance costing showed it to be more expensive than desalination

  5. Improbable (continued) • Canal transfer from the Zambezi • Large transfer has been studied • 8 basin states, RSA is not • All 8 have ambitions to use the water to develop their own countries • Use own resources more efficiently before thinking about neighbours’ resources

  6. In the middle there is • Rainfall stimulation through cloud seeding • Research has proven that it can be done • Implementation will be costly • Potential legal issues may make it difficult • Huge potential and should be taken further • Government will have to take the lead in

  7. More likely options • Improved water use efficiency (WCDM) • Removal of Invasive Alien Plants (IAPs) • Use of treated effluent • Desalination • Groundwater • Surface water including Inter Basin Transfers (IBT)

  8. Water use efficiency (WCDM) • Recent presentation to Portfolio Committee • Too much water being used inefficiently • Savings could in many cases delay augmentation with years • Municipalities will have to be supported to achieve practical implementation

  9. Removal of Invasive Alien Plants (IAPs) Removal of IAPs makes more water available • Consider quantities and costs in all cases where water is required • Implement if this is best option

  10. Use of treated effluent • Treated effluent being re-used indirectly and directly in inland areas for many years and on large scale in some cases • Biggest future potential at coastal cities

  11. Indirectly • Municipalities treat effluent in sewage works and discharge to river • Users down stream use it for irrigation and domestic • Large scale in Vaal River system • Rand Water re-uses effluent from southern Gauteng • Pretoria from Kempton Park through Rietvlei Dam

  12. Directly • In SA often for industrial use • Municipalities treat effluent in sewage works and supply directly to next user • Kelvin power station in Johannesburg • Mines near Mokopane from Mokopane and Polokwane • Mines near Rustenburg from Rustenburg • Durban to industries

  13. Coastal areas Effluent mostly discharged to the ocean (treated or untreated) • Huge potential resource • Cape Town is discharging nearly 160 mill m3/a • If all of this could be re-used it would sustain Cape Town for 13 years • If fully recycled, some desalination will be required • This is currently being investigated

  14. Desalination Already being done on small scale • Albany Coast Water Board – Bushmans River/Kenton-on-Sea • West Coast – desalination of brackish ground water • Huge potential for coastal towns and cities • At present much more expensive than we got used to for surface resources • Desalination takes place on huge scale overseas • Very energy intensive – cost and impacts of energy generation will increase • Becoming most economical option in specific cases • Is being and will be investigated for large towns and cities

  15. Ground water • Very important resource • Often the only resource for small towns and communities • Must be properly developed and managed • Artificial recharge must get proper attention • Conjunctive use where possible will give more in total

  16. Way forward • Aim – ensure best solution is implemented • Proper investigation of all options • Integrated planning essential • Example of strategic planning for W-Cape

  17. Reconciliation strategy for Western Cape system • Cape Town area currently under restrictions • Berg River dam will only supply up to 2010 • Urgent action required to prevent problems after that • DWAF strategy study with CCT active participant • Western Cape Province also involved • Public participation programme

  18. Options • Increase of water use efficiency (WC/DM) • Removal of IAPs • Effluent re-use • Desalination • Groundwater e.g. Cape Flats, West Coast, TMG • Artificial recharge • Conjunctive use • Surface water development (various small and bigger schemes) including IBTs • Answer will be a combination of the above, strung together in a plan that will be affordable and flexible

  19. Summary • Basic research not required before implementing feasible options • Investigate all options properly • Align strategies (CMS, PGDS, IDP) • Western Cape Reconciliation Strategy as example

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