Development of a Reconciliation Strategy for All Towns in the Northern Region

DEVELOPMENT OF A RECONCILIATION STRATEGY FOR ALL TOWNS IN THE NORTHERN REGION

CAPRICORN DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY POLOKWANE LOCAL MUNICIPALITY

Reconciliation Strategy for the Polokwane Cluster Including: Olifants Sands RWS, Mothapo RWS, Sebayeng-Dikgale RWS, Badimong RWS, Segwasi RWS, Boyne RWS, Mankweng RWS, Mankweng RWS

DRAFT JUNE 2014

Prepared for: Department of Water Affairs Directorate: National Water Resource Planning Private Bag X313 PRETORIA, 0001

RECONCILIATION STRATEGY FOR POLOKWANE RWS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Location and Background Information The Polokwane city cluster is strategically located in the centre of the Polokwane Local Municipality (PLM). The cluster is serviced with groundwater, surface water from local resources and surface water transferred from outside the municipality area through three water transfer namely the Ebenezer, Dap Naudé and Olifants-Sand transfer mains. The cluster includes the following regional water supply schemes:

Olifants Sands RWS: Bloedrivier, Greenside, Kgohlwane, Mabotsa, Makgove, Mokgokong, Pietersburg, Seshego, Toska Mashinini and Thokgwaneng

Mothapo RWS: Cottage, Ga-Mothiba, Makotopong 1, Makotopong 2, Nobody-Mothapo, Nobody-Mothiba and Ntshichane.

Sebayeng-Dikgale RWS: Dibibe, Dikgale 1, Dikgale 2, Dikgale 3, Ga-Kololo, Ga-Maphoto, Ga-Mawashasha, Ga-Mokgopo, Ga-Moswedi, Ga-Motholo, Kgokong, Kgwareng, Lenyenye, Madiga, Makengkeng, Makgoba 1, Makgoba 2, Makgwareng, Mamotintane, Mantheding, Masekho, Masekoleng, Masekwatse, Maelaphaleng, Mehlakong, Mnashemong, Moduwane, Mphalong, Sebayeng A, Sebayeng B, Sentserere, Toronto Zondo.

Badimong RWS: Badimong, Bergvley, Ga-Kole, Ga-Mahlantlhe, Ga-Mailula, Ga-Makgoba, Ga-Mamphaka, Ga-Moropo, Ga-Silwane, Katzenstern, Kgatla, Kgwara, Komaneg, Lebowa, Leswane, Masealama, Mashongolile, Matshela-Pata, Melkboom, Mongwaneng, Moshate, Thabakgone, Thema, Thune and Tsware

Segwasi RWS: Ga-Rakopi, Jack, Mohlakeng and Segwasi

Boyne RWS: Boyne, Magokubung, Makgeng, Makgopeng, Mankgaile, Mountain View, Subiaco, Viking and Zion City Moria

Mankweng RWS: Ga-Magowa, Ga-Makanye, Ga-Ramogale, Ga-Thoka, Makgwareng, Mankweng A, Mankweng B, Mankweng C, Mankweng D, Moshate and Phomolong

Laaste Hoop RWS: Laaste Hoop Ward 7, Laaste Hoop Ward 7A, Maboi, Manthorwane, Mogole, Quayle and Tsatsaneng

The water sources for each of the above RWS can be summarised as follows:

 Mothapo RWS is suppied with water from both the surface water (Ebenezer Dam) and groundwater resources.  The Sebayeng-Dikgale RWS is supplied with water from the groundwater resources. The Sebayeng-Dikgale RWS is not linked to the Ebenezer pipe main, however linking seems imminent particularly the villages closest to the Ebenezer pipemain.  Badimong RWS is served with a bulk supply and pipe mains branching at two points from the Ebenezer main at Sophie Mamabolo and Ga-Silwane.  Segwasi RWS is supplied via a bulk supply system and pipe main branching from the Ebenezer pipeline and the groundwater installation currently serves as standby source.

 Boyne RWS is served via separate abstractions from the Ebenezer pipeline to supply the villages located at the northern part of the cluster, while the villages located at the southern part of the cluster are supplied from groundwater resources.  Mankweng RWS is serviced with five connections from the Ebenezer pipeline  Laaste Hoop RWS is essentially a rural area presently served by a long bulk supply main from Ebenezer Dam. It lies in an area where low groundwater lithology occurs. There is no surface water resources located within the study area like major dams or rivers. Demographics, Water Requirements and Availability

The population of the Polokwane Cluster (was taken from the 2011 census (Statistics South Africa) as 489 160. The high growth scenario offers a picture of positive growth with the population increasing to 626 034 by 2035, whereas the population increases to 582 280 people by 2035 for the low growth scenario.

The Polokwane Cluster is supplied with local groundwater resources and surface water transferred from outside the municipality area from the Ebenezer Dam, Dap Naudé Dam and Olifantspoort weir at the Olifants River (supported by Flag Boshielo Dam).

The present water requirements of the Polokwane Cluster are expected to increase from the current 33.670 million m3/a (92.184 Ml/d, 188 l/c/d) to 46.349 million m3/a (126.897 Ml/d, 203 l/c/d) by 2035 according to the high growth scenarios.

The water balance with augmentation for the Polokwane Cluster are presented in Figure 1.

The water balance with augmentation for the Polokwane Cluster are presented in Table 1 and illustrated graphically in Figure 1.

From the results it can be seen that with the recommended support from Dap Naudé and Ebenezer Dam and the additional groundwater development (2.854 million m3/a) included, the projected water requirements still exceed the available resources throughout the projection period, even with the assumed successful implementation of WC/WDM interventions (3.266 million m3/a savings). Additional support from the Olifantspoort Weir (above the current 7 million m3/a) is required to ensure sufficient water resources availability (additional support of 9.048 million m3/a required by 2035).

Groundwater augmentation must be prioritised as an augmentation option and is important that feasibility is undertaken as a matter of urgency to investigate and confirm the additional groundwater resources that could potentially be developed to meet the water requirements and that the groundwater resources are developed.

Only the additional water resources required once the maximum groundwater development has been implemented and the targeted savings have been achieved through WC/WDM measures should be sourced from the Olifantspoort Weir.

Table1: Future status of the Polokwane Cluster with reconciliation measures (million m3/a)

Description Source 2011 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035

Ebenezer 16.200 16.200 16.200 16.200 16.200 16.200

Dap Naudé 4.000 4.000 4.000 4.000 4.000 4.000 Available supply Olifants/Sand 7.000 7.000 7.000 7.000 7.000 7.000

Groundwater 3.981 3.981 3.981 3.981 3.981 3.981

Groundwater 0.000 0.000 2.854 2.854 2.854 2.854 Augmentation Olifants/Sand 0.000 5.641 2.327 4.715 6.836 9.048 Additional Support Total Available 31.181 36.822 36.362 38.750 40.871 43.083 Water

Water Low Growth 33.670 36.822 38.831 40.404 41.679 42.986 Requirements (no reconciliation options) High Growth 33.670 36.822 39.628 42.016 44.137 46.349

WC/WDM Low Growth 0.000 0.000 3.266 3.266 3.266 3.266 measures (Savings) High Growth 0.000 0.000 3.266 3.266 3.266 3.266

Low Growth -2.489 0.000 0.797 1.612 2.457 3.363 Surplus/ Shortfall High Growth -2.489 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000

Figure 1: Water balance of the Polokwane Clustur with Augmentation options included

Conclusions and Recommendations

The following can be concluded from the assessment of the water supply and water requirements of the area supplied from the Rosendal Town Area Water Supply Scheme:

 The current water use of the Polokwane Cluster is already exceeding the currently allocated surface water resources and available groundwater resources. The current groundwater water use volume needs to be confirmed as not all the water extracted from the boreholes are metered. As things stand now the water requirements for the Polokwane Cluster are higher than the benchmark projections and need to be reduced closer to benchmark levels.  A preliminary analysis to assess the potential for loss reduction through the implementation of WC/WDM indicates that there is scope to reduce the total demand by improving non-revenue water and water losses. It is therefore important that the WSA should develop and implement WC/WDM measures, in order to reduce losses and use the available water resources optimally and reduce the future deficit.

 A detailed WC/WDM analysis needs to be conducted to establish the potential savings that could be achieved through the implementation of WC/WDM measures. These recommended measures should be implemented to reduce losses and improve efficiency of water use. Installation of bulk water meters at the production boreholes, the water treatment works and supply zones are a priority.

 The registration of boreholes, metering of abstraction and monitoring of the regional aquifer for sustainability must also be undertaken.  A feasibility study should be undertaken to investigate and confirm the additional groundwater resources that could potentially be developed to meet the water requirements as a matter of urgency. The level of utilisation, status and scientific evaluation of the existing boreholes should be verified for each of the RWS areas. Potential impacts on surface flows and groundwater levels, including the artificial recharge of the Sand River well fields below the Polokwane and Seshego WWTW’s and Rouriver wellfields below the Mankweng WWTW (between Sebayeng and Makotopong) over the long term should also be taken into consideration.

 Only the additional water resources required once the maximum groundwater development has been implemented and the targeted savings have been achieved through WC/WDM measures should be sourced from the Olifantspoort Weir. The potential of abstaining additional support from the Olifantspoort Weir in the Olifants River System and the infrastructure requirements need to be assessed.  The registered groundwater use is substantially lower than the current water use. It is recommended that an application be lodged for the registration of a water use entitlement that is in line with the sustainable yield of the existing groundwater resources or the projected future water requirements (with WC/WDM interventions in place) if further augmentation options are developed.  The Polokwane Cluster forms part of the larger integrated Olifants River System and the Letaba River System and the approach followed by the overarching DWA studies: Continuation of the Olifants River Water Supply System Reconciliation Strategy and the Development of a Reconciliation Strategy for the Luvuvhu and Letaba Water Supply System is to investigate the individual water resource water balances in context of the overall Olifants and Letaba River Systems with the various support linkages incorporated, which influence these individual balances. It is recommended that the all findings form these studies are incorporated into this strategy in future.

Below is the strategy for the Polokwane Cluster. It has been accepted and signed by Capricorn District Municipality, Polokwane Local Municipality, DWA Regional Office Limpopo and the DWA Head Office (D: NWRP) as follows:

Scheme WMA DM WSA

Polokwane Limpopo Capricorn cluster

Names:………………………………………… Names:…………………………………………

Signature:……………………………………… Signature:………………………………….…..

Date:…………………………………………… Date:……………………………………….……

Position:……………………………………….... Position:……………………………………….... Polokwane Local Municipality Capricorn District Municipality

Names:………………………………………… Names:…………………………………………

Signature:……………………………………… Signature:……………………………………..

Date:…………………………………………… Date:…………………………………..…..……

Position:……………………………………….... Position:…………………………………….…... DWA: Regional Office Limpopo DWA D: National Water Resource Planning

TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION ...... 1 1.1 Study Area ...... 1 1.2 Regional Setting ...... 2 2 POPULATION AND DEMOGRAPHICS ...... 5 3 CURRENT WATER REQUIREMENTS ...... 5 3.1 Present Water Requirements and Historical Water Use ...... 5 3.2 Level of Services ...... 5 4 WATER REQUIREMENTS PROJECTIONS TILL 2030 ...... 5 4.1 Future Water Requirements ...... 6 5 WATER RESOURCES ...... 7 5.1 Surface Water Resources ...... 10

5.1.1 Water Allocation/s ...... 10

5.1.2 Other Water Users from the Same Source ...... 10

5.1.3 Quality ...... 11 5.2 Groundwater ...... 11

5.2.1 Other Water Users from the Same Source ...... 16

5.2.2 Water Allocation/s ...... 15

5.2.3 Quality ...... 17 5.3 Water Re-use ...... 17 6 WATER REQUIREMNTS BALANCE ...... 17

6.1 Polokwane city cluster ...... Error! Bookmark not defined. 6.2 Priority to Develop a Water Supply Reconciliation Strategy for the Town ...... 20 7 WATER SUPPLY INFRASTRUCTURE ...... 26 8 SANITATION ...... 26 8.1 Level of Services ...... 26 8.2 Waste Water Treatment Works (WWTW) ...... 26

8.2.1 Return Flows ...... 26 9 RECONCILIATION OPTIONS ...... 26 9.1 Water Conservation and Water Demand Management WC/WDM...... 26 9.2 Rain Water Harvesting ...... 27 9.3 Groundwater ...... 27

9.4 Re-use ...... 28 9.5 Surface Water ...... 28 9.6 Conjunctive Use of Surface and Groundwater ...... 28 9.7 Buy-out of Water Allocations/Rights ...... 29 10 WATER BALANCE WITH RECONCILIATION OPTIONS ...... 29 10.1 Estimated Water Requirements and Water availability ...... 29 11 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 32 12 REFERENCES ...... 34

LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1-1: Locality Map of Olifants-Sand Regional Water Supply Scheme ...... 4 Figure 6-1: Future water requirements ...... 19 Figure 10-1: Augmentation options and/or implementation of WC/WDM measures ..... 31 LIST OF TABLES Table 3-1 Historical water use (Million m3/a) ...... 5

Table 3-2: Current service levels ...... Error! Bookmark not defined. Table 4-1: Water requirement projections ...... 7

Table 5-1: Historic Firm Yield Analysis ...... Error! Bookmark not defined. Table 6-1: Current Status and Requirement Projections (Million m3/a) ...... 18 Table 8-1: Current service levels ...... 26 Table 10-1: Future Status with Reconciliation Measures (Million m3/a) ...... 30

ABBREVIATIONS

AADD Average Annual Daily Demand ALC Active Leakage Control CBD Central Business Districts CSIR Council for Scientific and Industrial Research D: NWRP Directorate: National Water Resource Planning DM District Municipality DMA District Meter Area DWA Department of Water Affairs DPLG Department of Provincial and Local government FC Fibre Cement IDP Integrated Development Plan IRP Integrated Resource Planning LOS Level of Service LM Local Municipality MDG Millennium Development Goals Mm3/a Million cubic meters/ annum NRW Non Revenue Water NSDP National Spatial Development Perspective NGDB National Groundwater Database PRV Pressure Reducing Valve RDP Reconstruction and Development Programme RWS Regional Water Supply Scheme SA South Africa SDI Spatial Development Initiative SDF Spatial Development Framework UFW Unaccounted for Water WARMS Water Use Registering and Licensing Management System WC/WDM Water Conservation and Water Demand Management WMA Water Management Area

WRC Water Research Commission WRSM2005 Water Resources Simulation Model 2005 WSA Water Services Authority WSDP Water Services Development Plan WSNIS Water Services National Information System WSP Water Services Provider WTW Water Treatment Works WWTW Wastewater Treatment Works

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

Aquifer An aquifer is an underground layer of water-bearing permeable rock or unconsolidated materials (gravel, sand, silt, or clay) from which groundwater can be abstracted

Allocation A water allocation is an authority to take water in areas covered by a resource operations plan

Catchment The land area drained by a river and its tributaries

Demand/ A measure of the need for a portion of the supply of water requirement

Demand Measures available to a Water Service Provider to reduce water demand reduction and improve water use efficiency: for example, water restrictions

Entitlement A water entitlement is the general term used to describe water authorities granted under the Water Act, 1998. This can be either a water allocation, interim water allocation or a water licence

Non Revenue This is the difference between the volume of water into a system and the Water billed authorised consumption for the area being supply by the system

Reliable yield The quantity of water that can be collected for a given use from a supply source or supply option with a specified degree of certainty and predictability, which is determined through analysis.

Reliability of The probability of providing a specified water entitlement under given supply operating conditions for a specified period of time

Supply The quantity of water available for meeting a demand

Supply option A potential future water resource, defined as any location-specific change to water availability, infrastructure or reliable take that will result in the total available supply being increased.

Water balance The differential of demand and supply baseline.

Yield The average annual volume that can be drawn from a supply source or supply option to meet a specified demand at a specified service level. Yield is always associated with some measure of probability of occurrence, whether that is reliability or probability of achieving a level of service. That is, yield is the volume of water drawn to meet demands in a sustainable sense

1 INTRODUCTION The Department of Water Affairs have initiated a study for the development of reconciliation strategies for the towns in the Northern Region in order to ensure effective and efficient management of water resources now and into the future.

The study area comprises the water management areas of Limpopo, Luvuvhu and Letaba, Crocodile (West) and Marico, and Olifants and encompasses the Limpopo and portions of Gauteng, North West and Mpumalanga provinces. 1.1 Study Area

The total Polokwane Local Municipality (LM) consists of various schemes that are supplied form various sources as shown in Table 1-1.

Table 1-1 Polokwane LM Schemes

Surface water resource (million m3/a) Groundwater Scheme Dap (million Ebenezer Olifants Other 3 Naudé m /a)

Moletje North GWS Y Moletje East GWS Y Moletje South GWS Y Houtrivier RWS Y Y Olifants Sand RWS Y Y Y Chuene RWS Y Y Laaste Hoop RWS Y Y Sebanyeng-Digale RWS Y Y Mothapo RWS Y Y Badimong RWS Y Y Boyne RWS Y Y Mankweng RWS Y Y Molepo RWS Y Y Segwasi RWS Y Y

The schemes dependant on surface water resources form part Polokwane Cluster and include:

 Olifants Sands RWS: Bloedrivier, Greenside, Kgohlwane, Mabotsa, Makgove, Mokgokong, Pietersburg, Seshego, Toska Mashinini and Thokgwaneng.  Mothapo RWS: Cottage, Ga-Mothiba, Makotopong 1, Makotopong 2, Nobody- Mothapo, Nobody-Mothiba and Ntshichane.  Sebayeng-Dikgale RWS: Dibibe, Dikgale 1, Dikgale 2, Dikgale 3, Ga-Kololo, Ga- Maphoto, Ga-Mawashasha, Ga-Mokgopo, Ga-Moswedi, Ga-Motholo, Kgokong, Kgwareng, Lenyenye, Madiga, Makengkeng, Makgoba 1, Makgoba 2, Makgwareng,

Mamotintane, Mantheding, Masekho, Masekoleng, Masekwatse, Maelaphaleng, Mehlakong, Mnashemong, Moduwane, Mphalong, Sebayeng A, Sebayeng B, Sentserere, Toronto Zondo.  Badimong RWS: Badimong, Bergvley, Ga-Kole, Ga-Mahlantlhe, Ga-Mailula, Ga- Makgoba, Ga-Mamphaka, Ga-Moropo, Ga-Silwane, Katzenstern, Kgatla, Kgwara, Komaneg, Lebowa, Leswane, Masealama, Mashongolile, Matshela-Pata, Melkboom, Mongwaneng, Moshate, Thabakgone, Thema, Thune and Tsware.  Segwasi RWS: Ga-Rakopi, Jack, Mohlakeng and Segwasi.  Boyne RWS: Boyne, Magokubung, Makgeng, Makgopeng, Mankgaile, Mountain View, Subiaco, Viking and Zion City Moria  Mankweng RWS: Ga-Magowa, Ga-Makanye, Ga-Ramogale, Ga-Thoka, Makgwareng, Mankweng A, Mankweng B, Mankweng C, Mankweng D, Moshate and Phomolong  Laaste Hoop RWS: Laaste Hoop Ward 7, Laaste Hoop Ward 7A, Maboi, Manthorwane, Mogole, Quayle and Tsatsaneng

The locality map is presented in Figure 1-1. The location and water source for each of these areas can be summarised as follows:

 The Olifants Sands RWS is strategically located in the centre of the Polokwane Local Municipality (PLM). The cluster is serviced with surface water transferred from outside the municipality area through three water transfer namely the Ebenezer, Dap Naudé and Olifants-Sand transfer mains.  The Mothapo RWS is located at the north-eastern part of Polokwane Local Municipality (PLM) within the Capricorn District Municipality area. The communities in this cluster are currently supplied with water from both the groundwater resources and surface water resources.  The Sebayeng-Dikgale RWS is located at the north-eastern part of Polokwane Local Municipality (PLM) within the Capricorn District Municipality area.  The Badimong RWS is located at the eastern part of Polokwane Local Municipality (PLM) within the Capricorn District Municipality area. The communities in this cluster is currently supplied with water both the surface water and groundwater resources.  The Boyne RWS is located at the south-eastern part of Polokwane Local Municipality (PLM) within the Capricorn District Municipality area. The communities in this cluster are currently supplied with water from both groundwater resources and surface water resources.  The Mankweng RWS is located at the eastern part of Polokwane Local Municipality (PLM) within the Capricorn District Municipality area. The communities in this cluster are currently supplied with water from both groundwater resources and surface water resources.  The Laaste Hoop RWS is located at the south-central part of Polokwane Local Municipality (PLM) within the Capricorn District Municipality areaThe communities in this cluster are currently supplied with water form an external surface water resources.

1.2 Regional Setting

Polokwane Local Municipality is located within the Capricorn District Municipality in the Limpopo Province. The municipal area accounts for 3% of the Province’s total surface area. It emerged from the amalgamation of various disestablished local councils and with re- demarcation process of wards. Polokwane Local Municipality is bordered by Molemole Local Municipality in the north, Greater Tzaneen Local Municipality in the east, Lepelle-Nkumpi Local Municipality in the south, Aganang Local Municipality in the North West and Mogalakwena Local Municipality in the west.

Figure 1-1: Locality Map of Olifants-Sand Regional Water Supply Scheme

2 POPULATION AND DEMOGRAPHICS The population data was sourced from the latest Stats SA 2011 Census [9] for the 2011 base year. Two scenarios have been analysed, one being a high growth, while the other a low growth projection. The Polokwane Cluster has a population estimate of 489 160 using the Census 2011. The ‘high growth’ scenario offers a picture of strong positive growth with the population increasing to 626 034 by 2035. The ‘low growth’ scenario offers a picture with the population increasing to 582 280 people by 2035, the comparison between these two scenarios is shown in Table 4-2 below.

3 CURRENT WATER REQUIREMENTS 3.1 Present Water Requirements and Historical Water Use

The present water use requirement for the Polokwane Cluster is 33.670 million m3/a (92.184 Ml/d).

The 2010 historical water abstraction for the study area for 2010 is indicated below in Table 3-1. The 2011 water use (33.670 million m3/a) was estimated by applying the average annual compounded demographic growth over the Census 2001 and Census 2011 i.e. 1.9% to the 2010 water use volumes.

Table 3-1: 2010 water use (million m3/a)

Year 2010

Ebenezer main 16.700

Dap Naudé main 5.150 Olifants/Sand main 7.000 Seshego Dam 0.900 Groundwater 3.981 Polokwane urban GWS 33.931

The average annual per capita consumption based on the current population for the area is 188 l/c/d. This includes non-residential consumption, including Non-Revenue Water (NRW). The clusters water use of 181 l/c/d is within the recommended range of the water use best practices for residential consumption per capita (i.e. 250 l/c/d for the high developed areas and 130 l/c/d for the moderate to high areas). 3.2 Level of Services

The current LOS for the total cluster are presented in Table 3-2. The table shows LOS of 10% of the population are below RDP level LOS.

Table 3-2: Current service levels

% Population per Category Dwelling Type Category 1 Flats 3.29% 2 Clusters 2.10% 3 Low Income 24.66% 4 Medium Income 5.83% 45% Formal Single 5 Residential High Income 5.00% Very High 6 Income 3.87% Below RDP 9.97% 7 Level 8 Informal RDP Level 13.04% 55% Informal Above RDP 32.25% 9 Level

4 WATER REQUIREMENTS PROJECTIONS UP TO 2035 4.1 Future Water Requirements

The projected water requirements for the total Polokwane Cluster are presented in Error! Reference source not found. and illustrated in Figure 6-1. The assumptions used for the generation of these calculations are summarised as follows:  Population projections: The projections are calculated using high growth and low growth population estimates, as indicated in Table 4-2.  Current level of service (LOS) estimates: the average water use unit consumptions per water use category which are used to calculate the theoretical water requirements are shown in Table 4-1.  Future requirements: For planning purposes, the future requirements are projected using “Scenario 3” i.e. LOS assumed to be at a minimum of RDP level by 2025. A 5% growth in Above RDP Level by 2025 and a further 6.7% growth by 2035 (total growth of 11.7%).

Table 4-1: Average water consumption per water use category

Average Water Category Dwelling Type Consumption (l/c/d)

1 Flats 226 2 Clusters 255 3 Low Income 101 Medium 189 4 Single Income 5 Residential High Income 304 Very High 442 6 Income Below RDP 12 7 Level 8 Informal RDP Level 40 Above RDP 80 9 Level Table 4-2: Water requirement projections

Water Req. Water Req. Population Population Year (Low Growth) (High Growth) (Low Growth) (High Growth) 3 3 million m /a million m /a

2011 489 160 489 160 33.670 33.670

2015 525 342 525 342 36.822 36.822

2020 542 539 552 762 38.831 39.628

2025 553 416 574 053 40.404 42.016

2030 567 622 599 375 41.679 44.137

2035 582 280 626 034 42.986 46.349

From the results, it can be seen that the total Polokwane Cluster is expected to increase its gross water use from the current 33.670 million m3/a (92.184 Ml/d, 188 l/c/d) to 46.349 million m3/a (126.897 Ml/d, 203 l/c/d) in 2035 for the high growth scenarios.

Scenarios where WC/WDM is implemented are discussed in Section 4.2.

4.2 Water conservation and water demand management

The Polokwane Cluster has no WC/WDM strategy and limited management information to perform a proper analysis. There are various areas with intermittent supply and any savings will be redistributed but there are also many inefficiencies in the system. There is scope for improving the billing system and backlogs in the fixing of leaks should be eliminated. Based on results from the State of NRW in South Africa (WRC, 2012) it was possible to perform a preliminary assessment of potential savings as shown in Error! Reference source not found.Error! Reference source not found..

Table 4-3: Assessment of potential savings

Parameter Unit Value Source Confidence

Population No. 489 160 Study population High

Households No. 127 055 Study population High

People per households 3.9 Calculated Medium

Calculated (Water use Connections - metered No. 56 854 Medium category 1 to 6)

Connections - Calculated (Water use No. 57 538 Medium unmetered category 8 and 9)

Calculated (50 connections per Length of main km 2 288 Low km)

Connections per km No./km 50 Calculated Low

Average system m 50 Estimated Low pressure

System Input volume m3/annum 33 670 000 Study input volume Medium

m3/ Estimated National NRW Billed Consumption 18 080 790 Medium annum Assessment

% Non-revenue water % 46.3 Calculated Medium

Free basic water 3 m /prop/m 0 Low allocation

Unbilled authorised % 0.5 Estimated Low

Apparent losses % 20 Estimated Low

Target loss factor 3.0 Estimated Low

Litres/ m3/ Demand Key performance % Water capita/ household/ % NRW ILI reduction indicators losses 3 day month m /annum

Current 189 22 46.3 45.8 5.1

Target 170 20 30.4 29.9 3.0 3 265 835

The current estimated unit consumption of 189 l/c/d is below the national average for the level of service. However there is potential for reducing the demand by 10% or 3.266 million m³/a by decreasing non-revenue water (NRW) and water losses through the implementation of additional water use efficiency measures, such as tariff structures and consumer awareness and education. Further savings can be achieved by increasing the billed metered consumption with 17%. There is very little management information available and the WSA must prioritise getting accurate non-revenue water (NRW), water loss and system input volume figures.

The high scenario water requirement projection with WC/WDM is illustrated in Figure 2. The savings are mainly as a result of water loss reduction and increased billing.

The theoretical, high growth scenario, high growth scenario with WC/WDM initiatives included water requirement projections are presented in

/a) 3

10 Annual Requirements Requirements m (million Annual 5

0 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017 2019 2021 2023 2025 2027 2029 2031 2033 2035

High Scenario with WCWDM High Scenario Actual Use Theoretical

Figure 4-1. The high growth scenario projection is substantially higher than the theoretical projection illustrating the potential for WC/WDM.

/a) 3

10 Annual Requirements Requirements m (million Annual 5

0 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017 2019 2021 2023 2025 2027 2029 2031 2033 2035

High Scenario with WCWDM High Scenario Actual Use Theoretical

Figure 4-1: Water Requirement Projection

5 WATER RESOURCES 5.1 Surface Water Resources

The Polokwane Cluster is supplied with surface water transferred from outside the municipality area, the Ebenezer Dam, Dap Naudé Dam and Olifantspoort weir at the Olifants River (supported by Flag Boshielo Dam).

Lepelle Northern Water Board (LNW) is the bulk service provider for the Pietersburg Governmental Regional Water Supply Scheme (Ebenezer pipeline) and the Olifants-Sand Bulk Water Transfer Scheme. DWA Water Services are presently the Water Service Provider to all rural areas not served by LNW. Polokwane LM operates the Dap Naudé Dam Water Supply Scheme.

The surface water resources from the two dams and weir are shared with other water users and the Polokwane Local Municiplaity has a fixed allocation from the resources as discussed in Section 5.1.1.

5.1.1 Water Allocation/s

The Polokwane LM allocations from the Olifantspoort Weir (Olifants River), Dap Naudé and Ebenezer Dam (Broederstroom, a tributary of the Goot Letaba) are shown in Table 5-1.

Table 5-1: Polokwane LM water supply schemes and related resources

3 Scheme Surface water resource (million m /a)

Dap Ebenezer Olifants Other Naudé Allocation 6.52 1 12 2 21.9 3 -

Notes 1- Although the allocation from Dap Naudé is 6.52 million m3/a the yield is much lower and over the last 10 years the dam were able to supply approximately 4 million m3/a on average.

2 – The 12 million m3/a to Polokwane was exceeded most of the years

3 – This allocation applies to the total abstraction at Olifantspoort Weir and not only for the supply to Polokwane LM

5.1.2 Other Water Users from the Same Source

The other water users from the various surface water resources can be summarised as follows:

 Olifantspoort Weir (Supported by Flag Boshielo Dam): Urban/rural water supply to the Lepele Nkumpi LM (Lebowakgomo) and Fetakgomo LM (Sekhukhune DM). These users are all included in the total allocation of 21.9 million m3/a from the weir. Flag Boshielo Dam currently supports the rural sector (Sekhukhune DM), irrigation sector (Central Olifants Irrigation Scheme) and also urban/rural and mining sectors supplied from Havercraft Weir downstream of Olifantspoort Weir.  Dap Naudé Dam: There is a court order in place that requires releases to be made from the dam to support downstream users, which seldom happens in practice.  Ebenezer Dam: Urban sector (Tzaneen LM) have a water allocation of 3.58 million m3 /a, Water is released for the irrigation sector located along the river reach between Ebenezer Dam and Tzaneen Dam. Water is diverted further downstream into two canal systems at George’s Valley weir and Pusela weir. These irrigators have an allocation of 12.92 million m3/a.

5.1.3 Quality

Not available. 5.2 Groundwater

Groundwater resources are of major importance in the Limpopo Water Management Area (WMA) and constitute the sole water supply for many users in the water management area. Most of the rural settlements and some of the larger centers, such as Polokwane, receive part of their water from local well fields.

The Polokwane Cluster Area, comprising 8 areas, includes large portions of the A71A and A71B and only small portions of the northern B52H quaternary catchments.

The northern and central part of the combined cluster area is underlain by Hout Rivier gneiss with a high borehole yield class of > 5 l/s as mapped by DWA. The presence of these granites and alluvial deposits along the Sands, Diep and Turfloop Rivers supports local well fields used for irrigation and domestic water use. High yielding boreholes in the Hout Rivier gneiss appear to be related to pegmatite occurrences in the area. Deep weathering in excess of 40m is not uncommon (DWA2011). A specialist study by DWA (2000) estimated irrigation water use at 41 million m3/a, and municipal use at 1.74 million m3/a (total of 42.74 million m3/a) for catchment A71A.

The central and southern part of the Polokwane RWS cluster is underlain by ultramafic volcanic rocks and Turfloop granites, respectively. The associated borehole yield classes mapped by DWA are lower at 2.0 to 5.0 l/s and 0.5 to 2.0 l/s.

The registered groundwater use for active records was sourced from WARMS data, dated January 2013 for catchments A71A and A71B are shown in Table 5-2.

Table 5-2: Quaternaires A71A and A71B registered groundwater use

Water Use Volume Catchment N % of Total Use Sector (million m3/a)

Irrigation 226 35 745 685 81.1

Stock W. & 21 745 865 1.7 A71A Sch1

Industry 13 5 214 991 11.9*

Mining 2 144 500 0.3

Water Supply 11 1 824 194 4.2 Serv.

Total 303 43 675 235 100.0

Irrigation 55 5 068 531 99.5

A71B Other 4 23 152 0.5

Total 59 5 091 683 100.1

Artificial recharge (AR) practiced by the Polokwane municipality is reported at 5 million m3/a (DWA 2000). Groundwater recharge from direct rainfall is estimated at 13.56 million m3/a (DWA 2011).

The average water level depth in the upper Sands catchment varies from 8.5 to 15.2, the average being 11.2m. Overall groundwater levels appear to have recovered back to long term averages due to above average rainfall in late 1990s and early 2000s (DWA 2011).

The average water level graphs versus river flow (DWA 2000) indicate direct hydraulic connectivity with groundwater along the Sand River with rapid recovery of local groundwater levels and storage during river flow events. Long term groundwater levels (1973 to 1997: 24 year period) are similar and indirect recharge from surface water seems to sustain the utilized groundwater resource.

Water conservation can be achieved by minimising groundwater abstraction during periods of excess surface water (i.e. resting the aquifers) or by artificially recharging aquifers whenever possible. Storing water in aquifers would minimise evaporation from dams and provide a means to re-use treated wastewater. To limit water demand the use of private boreholes for watering gardens should be promoted. The impact of private borehole use on water demand (especially during drought) will exceed that of rainfall harvesting.

The groundwater resource potential on a quaternary catchments scale for additional allocations is reported on in the Groundwater Reserve study done by Water Geoscience Consulting for the Limpopo Water Management Area (DWA 2011) and summarised below:

Table 5-3: Summary of groundwater resources potential (DWA 2011)

Exist. Use * Area Recharge Baseflow Catchment BHN (million SI (%) (km2) (million m3/a) (million m3/a) m3/a)

A71A 1144 13.56 0.34 1.557 43.68 322

A71B 882 9.48 0.32 0.32 5.09 54

Notes: SI abbreviation for Stress Index; Recharge is from direct Rainfall; *Existing use updated from WARMS 2013

Based on the aquifer stress index listed above, additional groundwater can be developed in catchment A71B but not in stressed areas in catchment A71A (along or in close proximity the Sand and Bloed River drainages).

Small scale groundwater development can be allowed for community water supply provided a 3 km river buffer zone is maintained in A71A. Detailed studies of benefits to the groundwater resource from artificial recharge and induced recharge from surface water flows are required at quaternary catchment scale prior to the utilization of additional groundwater sources along river drainages.

Additional groundwater resources can be developed in the remaining seven RWS clusters to establish local well fields to meet community rural water supply demands. In areas of lower borehole yield prospects additional exploration boreholes will be required to establish a production borehole yielding at least 1.0 l/s for 12 hours per day. The water supply from lower yielding boreholes are not reliable, very difficult to manage and often of poorer water quality. Use of low yielding boreholes should be phased out to ensure reliable water supplies.

The current groundwater use for each of the schemes is summarized below.

Olifants Sands RWS

The Olifants Sands RWS area includes the Polokwane municipality with major rural communities located to the north-west and north-east.

Along the Sand River indirect recharge from surface run-off is induced through pumping in close proximity of the rivers. Direct artificial recharge of groundwater is practiced, where treated effluent from Polokwane city is infiltrated into the aquifer (Reported volume of 5 million m3/a).

The total registered water use in the RWS area (WARMS -January 2013) is 6.972 million m3/a, which includes a total of 65 registrations (all water use sectors i.e. includes irrigation etc.). A domestic groundwater water supply of 1.627 million m3/a is registered, comprising 9 registrations which represents 23 per cent of the total use.

Mothapo RWS

The villages located in the northern parts of the RWS area are underlain by good ground water resources as referred to above, whereas the villages in the central and along the southern parts have reduced borehole yield classes of 2.0 to 5.0 l/s and 0.5 to 2.0 l/s. The

G:\Dimakatso\from Colin\Northern & Central Region All Town Strategies\Northern Region\Northern Region Strategies-Phase 2\Limpopo\Polokwane Cluster - 2014 Update v5.docx November 2009 14 RECONCILIATION STRATEGY FOR POLOKWANE RWS central part is underlain by ultramafic volcanic rocks and the southern part by the Turfloop granite.

The total registered water use within the RWS cluster area (WARMS -January 2013) is 0.514 million m3/a, which is made up by 5 irrigation water users. No domestic water or other water use is registered on WARMS.

The RSIP [3] shows the present water supply as 0.872 Million m3/a and 0.248 million m3/a increase after rehabilitation, with a total supply after rehabilitation process of 1.122 million m3/a. However the WSDP listed 0.625 million m3/a as currently abstracted for the cluster.

Sebayeng – Dikgale RWS

The RSIP [3] shows the present water supply as 1.424 million m3/a and 0.438 million m3/a increase after rehabilitation, with a total supply after rehabilitation process of 1.862 million m3/a. The present supply from groundwater to the Sebayeng-Dikgale RWS of 1.250 Million m3/a.

The groundwater potential is estimate at 0.934 Million m3/a based on 78 boreholes in the area as indicated in the GRIP data, but this is low confidence as the water levels are not metered.

Badimong RWS

Groundwater potential for the study area is low. The RSIP [3] shows the present water supply as 0.062 million m3/a and 0.026 million m3/a increase after rehabilitation, with a total supply after rehabilitation process of 0.117 million m3/a. However the WSDP listed 0.058 million m3/a as currently abstracted for the cluster. The groundwater potential is estimate at 0.044 million m3/a based on 7 boreholes equipped in the area as indicated in the water services data, but this is low confidence as the water levels are not metered.

Segwazi RWS

Presently groundwater installations serve as standby. The RSIP [3] shows the present water supply as 0.037 million m3/a and 0.018 million m3/a increase after rehabilitation, with a total supply after rehabilitation process of 0.055 million m3/a.

The groundwater potential is estimate1 at 0.044 million m3/a base on 4 boreholes equipped as indicated in the water services data, but this is low confidence as the water levels are not metered. The WSDP listed 4 borehole that are currently used for groundwater supply with a licenced abstraction of 0.032 million m3/a.

Boyne RWS

The RSIP [3] shows the present water supply as 0.044 million m3/a and 0.018 million m3/a increase after rehabilitation, with a total supply after rehabilitation process of 0.062 million m3/a.

The groundwater potential is estimate at 0.221 million m3/a base on 11 boreholes equipped as indicated in the water services data, but this is low confidence as the water levels are not metered. The WSDP listed 12 borehole that are currently used for groundwater supply with a licences abstraction of 0.132 million m3/a.

Mankweng RWS

Groundwater potential for the study area is low. The RSIP [3] shows the present water supply as 0.033 million m3/a and 0.018 million m3/a increase after rehabilitation, with a total supply after rehabilitation process of 0.051 million m3/a.

The groundwater potential is estimate1 at 0.095 million m3/a base on 3 boreholes equipped in the area as indicated in the water services data, but this is low confidence as the water levels are not metered. The WSDP listed 8 borehole that are currently used for groundwater supply with a licenses abstraction of 0.063 million m3/a.

Laaste Hoop RWS

Groundwater potential for the study area is low. The RSIP [3] shows the present water supply as 0.143 million m3/a and 0.022 million m3/a increase after rehabilitation, with a total supply after rehabilitation process of 0.165 million m3/a.

The groundwater potential is estimated at 0.014 million m3/a base on 3 boreholes equipped in the area as indicated in the water services data, but this is low confidence as the water levels are not metered. The WSDP listed 9 borehole that are currently used for groundwater supply with a licenses abstraction of 0.194 million m3/a.

5.2.1 Water Allocation/s Olifants Sands RWS

The total registered water use in the RWS cluster area (WARMS -January 2013) is 6.972 million m3/a, which includes a total of 65 registrations (all water use sectors i.e. includes irrigation etc.). A domestic groundwater water supply of 1.627 million m3/a is registered, comprising 9 registrations which represents 23 per cent of the total use.

Mothapo RWS

Sebayeng – Dikgale RWS

There are no records of registered use for the study area listed from the WARMS data base.

Badimong RWS

There is one record of registered use for the study area listed from the WARMS data base, the WSDP listed 12 boreholes that are currently used with licence abstraction of 0.050 million m3/a from boreholes located at Moshate 3 boreholes, Kgatla 1 borehole, Bergvley 1 borehole, Ga-Mamphaka 2 boreholes, Mongwaneng1 borehole and Ga-Moropo 2 boreholes.

Segwazi RWS

There are no records of registered use for the study are from the WARMS data base, however the WSDP listed licensed abstraction of 0.032 million m3/a from 4 boreholes, two boreholes located at Ga-Rakopi and the two locate at Segwasi villages.

Boyne RWS

There are no records of registered use for the study are from the WARMS data base, however the WSDP listed licensed abstraction of 0.132 million m3/a from 12 boreholes, 11 boreholes located at Mankgaile village and 1 borehole locate at Mountain View.

Mankweng RWS

There are no records of registered use for the study area listed from the WARMS data base.

Laaste Hoop RWS

There are no records of registered use for the study area listed from the WARMS data base, however the WSDP listed 9 boreholes that are currently registered within the study area and located at Maboi (6 boreholes), Laaste Hoop ward 7 (1 borehole)and Laaste Hoop ward 7a (2 boreholes).

5.2.2 Other Water Users from the Same Source

Olifants Sands RWS

There is a total volume of 5.345 million m3/a groundwater use registers on the WARMS data base for other users such as industrial, livestock and irrigation (water use sector with largest registered volume).

Mothapo RWS

Twelve users are listed in the WARMS data base for irrigation use with a total license abstraction of 1.226 million m3/a. Three of the listed users registered status is listed as closed with a total license abstraction of 0.164 million m3/a and 1.062 million m3/a could thus currently be regarded to be utilised by the irrigation sector.

Sebayeng – Dikgale RWS

Three users are listed in the WARMS data base for irrigation use within the cluster, one user is located at Dikgale 3 with a licence abstraction of 0.055 million m3/a and two at Dikgale 1 with a licensed abstraction of 0.049 million m3/a.

Badimong RWS

One user is listed in the WARMs data base for irrigation use with licensed abstraction of 0.013 million m3/a, downstream of Turf loop Dam.

Segwazi RWS

There are no other register users listed from WARMs data base.

Boyne RWS

There are no other register users listed from WARMs data base

Mankweng RWS

There are no records of registered use for the study area listed from the WARMS data base.

Laaste Hoop RWS

There are no other users listed in the WARMs data base.

5.2.3 Quality

The quality of groundwater in the upper Sand River catchment is considered to be marginal to poor with only 41 % of samples within the recommended drinking limit. The most notable element of concern include NO3 as N with an average of 11.3 mg/l (DWA 2011). 5.3 Water Re-use

Artificial recharge of the Sand River well fields occur below the Polokwane and Seshego waste water treatment works (WWTW) is practised by the Polokwane municipality (Olifants Sands RWS) and is reported to be at 5 million m3/a (DWA 2000).

Sewage effluent from Mankweng WWTW (Sebayeng–Dikgale and Mankweng RWS) is discharged in the Pouriver which results in an artificial recharge of the aquifer between Sebayeng and Makotopong, estimated at present to be 0.548 million m3/a with expected growth to 0.913 million m3/a by year 2025.

There is no scope for re-use in the other RWS areas (Mothapo RWS, Badimong RWS, Segwazi RWS, Boyne RWS, Boyne RWS, Laaste Hoop RWS) as they do not utilised waterborne sewage systems.

6 WATER REQUIREMNTS BALANCE 6.1 Polokwane Cluster

The current and future water balances for the Polokwane Cluster are summarised in Table 6-1 and graphically indicated in Figure 6-1. The current allocations that the Polokwane LM has from Ebenezer Dam (12 million m3/a) and Dap Naudé Dam (6.52 million m3/a) are indicated as the available water resources from these dam in the balance diagram. The total allocation from Olifantspoort weir is 21.9 million m3/a, which includes water supply to Lepele Nkumpi LM (Lebowakgomo), Fetakgomo LM (Sekhukhune DM) and Polokwane LM and the individual allocations for each of the municipalities is unknown. According to the DWA Olifants Recon Strategy, Polokwane LM (DWA 2011) was supplied 7 million m3/a from the scheme and this volume has been incorporated into the water balance. The total groundwater use for the Polokwane is 3.981 million m3/a which was regarded as the currently available groundwater resources.

From the results it can be seen that the projected water requirements of the Polokwane Exceed the available water resources throughout the projection period. The deficit increases from 4.169 million m3/a in 2011 to 16.848 million m3/a in 2035 according to the high growth projection.

Table 6-1: Current Status and Requirement Projections (million m3/a)

Description Source 2011 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035

Ebenezer 12.000 12.000 12.000 12.000 12.000 12.000

Dap Naudé 6.520 6.520 6.520 6.520 6.520 6.520 Available supply Olifants/Sand 7.000 7.000 7.000 7.000 7.000 7.000

Groundwater 3.981 3.981 3.981 3.981 3.981 3.981

Total Water Supply 29.501 29.501 29.501 29.501 29.501 29.501

Water Requirements Low Growth 33.670 36.822 38.831 40.404 41.679 42.986 (no reconciliation options) High Growth 33.670 36.822 39.628 42.016 44.137 46.349

Low Growth -4.169 -7.321 -9.330 -10.903 -12.178 -13.485 Surplus/ Shortfall High Growth -4.169 -7.321 -10.127 -12.515 -14.636 -16.848

/a) 3 35

Annual Requirements Requirements m (million Annual 5

0 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017 2019 2021 2023 2025 2027 2029 2031 2033 2035

Ebenezer Dap Naude Olifantspoort Weir Groundwater Allocation (Surface Water) Allocation (Groundwater) WTW Capacity Low Scenario High Scenario Theoretical Actual Use

Figure 6-1: Polokwane Cluster water balance diagram

The DWA Levuvhu Letaba Recon Study investigated two licence applications received from Lepelle Northern Water for increased allocation of water to mainly support the Polokwane LM. The one application was for an increased allocation from Ebenezer Dam and the other is for an increased allocation from the Olifantspoort Weir. The reader is referred to the Memo: Licence Applications – Lepelle Northern Water: Ebenezer and Olifantspoort WTW (DWA, 2014) for detailed information on the investigations conducted as summarised below. 6.2 Letaba River Catchment

The investigations took into account the other existing schemes in the Letaba River Catchment which will impact on the water available in Ebenezer Dam as well as the schemes or dams that will be affected but when additional water is abstracted from Ebenezer Dam.

The most upstream Dam is Dap Naudé Dam used to supply Polokwane LM. The investigations confirmed that the allocation of 6.520 million m3/a from Dap Naudé Dam exceeds the yield available from this dam. This is confirmed by the actual abstractions over the last 34 years where the abstractions varies from as low as 2.260 million m3/a with the highest ever recording of 5.650 million m3/a. The average abstraction over this period is 4.348 million m3/a, which reduced to an average of 4.280 million m3/a over the last 10 years. There is also a court order in place that requires releases to be made from Dap Naudé Dam, which seldom happens in practice. The historic firm yield for Dap Naudé Dam was therefore determined for two scenarios, one with the court order releases and the other without. The Historical Firm Yield (HFY) results were 2.1 million m3/a and 3.1 million m3/a respectively. This indicates that the average supply of 4.28 million m3/a, was at a relative low assurance.

The size of the demand imposed on Dap Naudé Dam will play a role in the severity of the impact on the yield available from Ebenezer Dam. For the purpose of the analyses, a demand of 4 million m3/a was imposed on Dap Naudé Dam which is in line with the average abstractions thus far, rather than with the allocation from the dam. This resulted in a HFY of 32 million m3/a for Ebenezer Dam when no court order releases are made from Dap Naudé Dam. Note that this yield represents the total available yield from Ebenezer Dam for supply to all abstractions as well as any releases to support Tzaneen Dam. A further analysis was carried out to determine what additional water (above the 32 million m3/annum firm supply) is available as low assurance yield, which was determined to be 38 million m3/a. Based on these yields wa water balance was prepared for Ebenezer Dam as shown in Figure 6-2.

The 2010 demand imposed on Ebenezer Dam includes a transfer of 16.2 million m3/a to Polokwane (average supply over the past 11 years which is higher than the current allocation of 12 million m3/a), the support of 2.3 million m3/a to Tzaneen town and 10.3 million m3/a for irrigation located between Ebenezer and Tzaneen dams. This results in a total demand of 29 million m3/a in 2010, which is slightly less than the firm yield of 32 million m3/a determined for Ebenezer. When the requested additional allocation of 15 million m3/a (total allocation then 27 million m3/a) is imposed on Ebenezer Dam it is evident from Figure 6-3 that Ebenezer Dam will be in deficit, even when taking into account the additional low assurance yield of 6 million m3/a.

Low Assurance Yield Excess (Average supply to irrigation)

High Water Requirement Scenario

Urban Water Requirements (High Assurance)

Figure 6-2: Water balance for Ebenezer Dam using current operating rule

Deficit License Application

License Application

Urban Water Requirements (High Assurance)

Figure 6-3: Water balance for Ebenezer Dam using current operating rule with increased Polokwane allocation

It is important to note that the operating rule applied for Ebenezer Dam dictates that when Tzaneen Dam is low (approximately 15% storage), water is released from Ebenezer Dam in support of Tzaneen Dam. Tzaneen and Ebenezer dams are therefore operated as a system and the application of this support is evident from the historical dam balance and flow data. Therefore, although the balance shown in from Figure 6-3 indicates surplus water at Ebenezer Dam, that surplus was in the past and will in future be required to support Tzaneen Dam.

This is illustrated in the water balance situation of the Groot Letaba Sub-system (Tzaneen Dam and downstream incremental runoff) as presented in Figure 6-4, where it is shown that the “Total Abstraction” of 122 million m3/a in the year 2010 far exceeds the firm yield of 44 million m3/a as well as the total yield (high and low assurance components) of 82 million m3/a. Even by adding the available surplus from Ebenezer Dam (pink area indicated on the graph) the total combined yield of 91.1 million m3/a results in a deficit in supply of 30.4 million m3/a in 2010.

This shortfall is managed through a restriction policy or rule where the irrigation abstraction is reduced to protect the urban users in the Groot Letaba Sub-system. Historical supply data shows the average supply to the irrigation was about 62% of their allocation over the past 13.4 years (e-mail dated 10 October 2013 from J Venter to T Nditwani). This was also observed in the simulation analysis. Clearly a balance derived with the total abstraction is impractical and an alternative approach was followed where the average supply to irrigators was used as the water requirements opposed to the total allocation.

The assumption in this approach is that the irrigation sector has adapted to this supply situation and it is maintained at these levels in future. A reference simulation analysis was therefore carried out to determine the average supply which, include the raised Tzaneen Dam. The rational for this is that the purpose of the dam raising is to improve the assurance of supply to the irrigators.

The water requirements represented by the red and green lines (Figure 6-4) therefore include the average supply to irrigation of 66.4 million m3/annum (derived from a reference simulation analysis). These lines are the total water requirements of all users, where the volume for irrigation is the average supply from the reference simulation analysis. In the water balance for future years the irrigation supply remained unchanged and the increases on the red and green lines represents the expected growth in the urban sector to be supplied from the Groot Letaba System.

Note that three of the smaller sub-systems located on tributaries of the Groot Letaba are experiencing severe deficits and will be augmented from the Groot Letaba System when the approved Nwamitwa Dam delivers water by the year 2020 .

When considering the High (red) and Low (green) water requirement scenarios, it is evident that additional intervention will be needed by 2022 for the High scenario while all users are supplied until 2040 for the Low scenario.

Increase due to support for Thapane, Thabina & Modjadji Total Abstraction

Deficit Reduction due to EWR: PES Low Flow Nwamitwa Dam and bulk supply infrastructure (estimated date)

Low Assurance Yield Urban (Average supply to irrigation) Requirements

High Assurance Yield Further Intervention needed by 2023

Figure 6-4: Water balance for the Groot Letaba System – With augmentation to Thabina and Modjadji systems included

The presented results clearly show that there are severe water shortages in the Groot Letaba River sub-system and Ebenezer Dam must support Tzaneen Dam to achieve the balance situation presented in Figure 6-4. The high water requirement scenario can only be supplied until 2022, even with the raising of Tzaneen Dam, the building of Nwamitwa Dam, support from Ebenezer, utilising additional groundwater resources as well as the implementation of water conservation and water demand management actions.

Additional allocations above the water use of 16.2 million m3/a for Polokwane (applied in the balances shown above) are not feasible since the users in the Letaba catchment cannot be fully supplied beyond 2022 for the High scenario.

Based in the above investigations the following recommendations were made:

 The current allocation (6.52 million m3/a) from Dap Naudé Dam is not recommended with the yield capability of the dam. The dam can in reality over time only supply on average in the order of 4 million m3/a.  The current allocation of 12 million m3/a from Ebenezer Dam to Lepelle Northern Water should preferably not be increased to above 16 million m3/a due to severe shortages in the Groot Letaba sub-system, which also depends on support from Ebenezer Dam. There are no other resources available to address the shortages in the Groot Letaba sub-system over and above those already included in the water balances.

The water balance situation in the Olifants River system is presented in Section 6.3. 6.3 Olifants River Catchment

The Reconcilliation Strategy for the Olifants River Water supply system stated that the growth of the water requirements for Polokwane need to be supplied from the Olifants River System through the conveyance infrastructure the Olifantspoort Weir supported by releases from Flag Boshielo Dam. Since the yield of Flag Boshielo will be insufficient to supply all the water users, support is required from De Hoop Dam in the form of demand exchange where selected users located south of the Olifants River will be supplied from De Hoop Dam.

An updated water balance from the current Olifants Water Supply System Reconciliation Strategy Implementation for Flag Boshielo Dam is shown in Figure 6-5. From the figure it is evident that a significant deficit is expected to occur in the Flag Boshielo sub-system from approximately 2016 onwards if De Hoop dam is not used to take of some of the demand load imposed on Flag Boshielo Dam. The Olifants River Water Resource Development Project (ORWRDP) is implemented in phases, to over time support a large number of users from De Hoop Dam (Sekhukhune DM, Burgersfort, Mototolo Mine, Modikwa Mine and Twicenham Mine). Phases 2C, 2D and 2E of the ORWRDP that will supply water to user south of the Olifants River is expected to be in place by 2017. The supply from De Hoop Dam at that time will be sufficient to supply all these users with water, so that no support from the Havercraft Weir in the main Olifants River is required.

Other measures required to obtain a balance between the available water and the demands imposed on Flag Boschielo Dam includes the development of groundwater resources, the excess available from Loskop Dam, re-use of water and the removal of AIP. Groundwater is the largest contributor and it is of utmost importance that the groundwater is developed.

FLAG BOSHIELO 160

140 Short-term balance due to starting High Growth Scenario /a) 120

3 storage

100

80 High Growth Scenario with WC/WDM

40 Dam yield, 1:100 year No reduction in yield due to EWR

recurrence interval Water Requirements (million m (million Requirements Water 20 Earliest implementation of groundwater scheme 0 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022 2024 2026 2028 2030 2032 2034 Flag Bashilo Dam Yield (EWR) Re-use AIP Removal Loskop Excess Support Groundwater Water Req (WCWDM) excl De Hoop Supp Water Requirements Water Requirements (WCWDM) Figure 6-5: Flag Boshielo Dam Balance (with support from De Hoop Dam)

A balance can only be achieved at Flag Boshielo Dam, provided that various phases of transfer infrastructure are implemented (ORWRDP Phases 2C, 2D, 2E and the reversing of the Lebalelo Scheme with the required modifications) and provided that the various interventions are achieved as well as utilising the new ground water resources of up to 29.5 million m3/a by 2035. The balance given in Figure 6-5 assumes that the groundwater scheme will start delivering water (18.4 million m3/a) by 2017.

The current allocation of 21.9 million m3/a from the Olifants at Olifantspoort is only sufficient to supply the 2010 demand and need to be increased on a temporary basis until the water from the groundwater scheme becomes available to support the Olifantspoort WTW. To be able to in the meantime supply the growing requirements imposed on Olifantspoort WTW until 2017 an additional temporary allocation of 10.6 million m3/a is required, resulting in a total allocation of 32.5 million m3/a. With the groundwater scheme fully developed by 2035 only 21.4 million m3/a will still need to be supplied from the Olifants at Olifantspoort. For this purpose the current allocation of 21.9 million m3/a is sufficient.

7 WATER SUPPLY INFRASTRUCTURE The bulk water infrastructure on the Ebenezer and Olifants-Sand transfer schemes are operated and maintained by Lepelle Northern Water Board. 8 SANITATION

With the exception of Polokwane and Seshego area most of the rural villages within the cluster do not have adequate access to sanitation facilities. 8.1 Level of Services

The current level of service for Giyani system F1 cluster is indicated in Table 8-1.

Table 8-1: Current service levels

Above RDP RDP Below RDP Septic tanks, None, Flush toilet Pit latrine digester, desluger, chemical, Service level (connected to with effluent discharge bucket or pit sewerage ventilation to an oxidation latrine without system) (VIP) pond, etc ventilation Population (NIS, 2007) 41% 2% 8% 49%

The LOH for sanitation services is medium with 49% of households below minimum RDP sanitation levels of service with reference to the WSNIS, 2007. 8.2 Waste Water Treatment Works (WWTW)

Two WwTW serviced the area, the Polokwane and Seshego wastewater treatment works.

8.2.1 Return Flows

At present approximately 8.651 million m3/a of sewage effluent is returned to the Sand river beds and 1.72 million m3/a from Seshego WwTW in the Polokwane Local Municipality.

9 RECONCILIATION OPTIONS 9.1 Water Conservation and Water Demand Management WC/WDM

Poor management of water supply services are experienced resulting in high losses and high water use. The present water use exceeds the supply due to excessive losses, informal connections, wastage and high consumption.

Before introducing measures to encourage water conservation, it is important to have an accurate set of baseline data against which any progress can be measured. The first priority must therefore be to ensure that there is an adequate network of water meters and accurate readings are recorded on a regular basis. A preliminary analysis of the system to assess the potential for loss reduction through the implementation of WC/WDM could not be carried out as the required information was not available. In the absence of this information, for reconciliation purposes it has been assumed

G:\Dimakatso\from Colin\Northern & Central Region All Town Strategies\Northern Region\Northern Region Strategies-Phase 2\Limpopo\Polokwane Cluster - 2014 Update v5.docx November 2009 28 RECONCILIATION STRATEGY FOR POLOKWANE RWS that the WC/WDM will reduce water requirements by 1% per annum from 2010 to 2013 and 2% per annum from 2013 to 2018. This is presented on Figure 6-2. 9.2 Rain Water Harvesting

Rain water harvesting can potentially benefit individual households and the municipality. It is recommended that rainwater harvesting be promoted as a demand management measure and implemented as an alternative source of water, particularly for gardening and possible use for flushing of toilets. 9.3 Groundwater

Based on the desktop investigations the potential to developed further groundwater resources has been identified in the following schemes:

 Olifants Sands RWS: The abstraction of groundwater in much of the water management area is regarded as approximately in balance with the long term sustainable yield from this source. Underdeveloped potential may still exist and could be the most feasible option in certain cases for additional water supply.  Mothapo RWS: The RSIP [3] shows the present water supply as 0.872 million m3/a and 0.248 million m3/a increase after rehabilitation (total of 1.122 million m3/a). The WSDP listed 0.625 million m3/a as currently abstracted for the cluster, therefore a potential to further develop the groundwater resources could be available.  Sebayeng – Dikgale RWS: The RSIP [3] shows the present water supply as 1.424 million m3/a and 0.438 million m3/a increase after rehabilitation (total of 1.862 million m3/a). The WSDP listed 1.250 million m3/a as currently abstracted for the cluster, therefore a potential to further develop the groundwater resources could be available.  Badimong RWS: The RSIP [3] shows the present water supply as 0.062 million m3/a and 0.026 million m3/a increase after rehabilitation (total of 0.117 million m3/a). The WSDP listed 0.058 million m3/a as currently abstracted for the cluster, therefore a potential to further develop the groundwater resources could be available.  Segwazi RWS: The RSIP [3] shows the present water supply as 0.037 million m3/a and 0.018 million m3/a increase after rehabilitation (total of 0.055 million m3/a). The WSDP listed 4 borehole that are currently used for groundwater supply with a licenced abstraction of 0.032 million m3/a, therefore a potential to further develop the groundwater resources could be available.  Boyne RWS: The RSIP [3] shows the present water supply as 0.044 million m3/a and 0.018 million m3/a increase after rehabilitation (total of 0.062 million m3/a). The groundwater potential is estimate at 0.221 million m3/a base on 11 boreholes equipped as indicated in the water services data, but this is low confidence as the water levels are not metered. The WSDP listed 12 borehole that are currently used for groundwater supply with a licenses abstraction of 0.132 million m3/a. A potential to further develop the groundwater resources could be available:  Mankweng RWS: The RSIP [3] shows the present water supply as 0.033 million m3/a and 0.018 million m3/a increase after rehabilitation (total of 0.051 million m3/a). The WSDP listed 0.063 million m3/a as currently abstracted for the cluster, the groundwater potential is estimate at 0.095 million m3/a base on 3 boreholes equipped

in the area as indicated in the water services data base therefore a potential to further develop the groundwater resources could be available.  Laaste Hoop RWS: The RSIP [3] shows the present water supply as 0.143 million m3/a and 0.022 million m3/a increase after rehabilitation (total supply of 0.165 million m3/a). The groundwater potential is estimated at 0.014 million m3/a base on 3 boreholes equipped in the area as indicated in the water services data, but this is low confidence as the water levels are not metered. The WSDP listed 9 borehole that are currently used for groundwater supply with a licenses abstraction of 0.194 million m3/a. The level of utilisation, status and scientific evaluation of the existing boreholes needs to be verified.

Based in the results presented in Table 5-3 in Section 5.2, it can be concluded that the groundwater resources in Quaternary A71A are stressed whereas the existing groundwater use in the A71B (5.090 million m3/a) is substantially lower than the current recharge (9.480 million m3/a). Based on the above, additional groundwater can be developed in catchment A71B but not in stressed areas in catchment A71A (along or in close proximity the Sand and Bloed River drainages). It was assumed that an additional volume of 2.854 million m3/a of groundwater can be developed in catchment A71B (65% of the difference between the current recharge and existing groundwater use (4.390 million m3/a). Small scale groundwater development can be allowed for community water supply provided a 3 km river buffer zone is maintained in A71A.

It is recommended that a feasibility study should be conducted to confirm the additional groundwater resources that would be feasible to develop. The level of utilisation, status and scientific evaluation of the existing boreholes should be verified for each of the RWS areas. Potential impacts on surface flows and groundwater levels, including the artificial recharge of the Sand River well fields below the Polokwane and Seshego WWTW’s and Rouriver wellfields below the Mankweng WWTW (between Sebayeng and Makotopong) over the long term should also be taken into consideration.

It is recommended that in areas of lower borehole yield prospects, additional exploration boreholes will be required to establish a production borehole yielding at least 1.0 l/s for 12 hours per day. The water supply from lower yielding boreholes are not reliable, very difficult to manage and often of poorer water quality. As a result the use of low yielding boreholes should be phased out to ensure reliable water supplies. 9.4 Re-use

About 67% of the water released from the WWTWs recharges the local aquifers. The growing effluent volume constitutes a good water reserve. As with all artificial recharge schemes that rely on treated wastewater, regular monitoring and management of the wastewater and the abstracted groundwater is required to ensure that high-quality water is supplied to the consumers. 9.5 Surface Water

No additional surface water options have been identified for augmenting the current water supply of the Polokwane Cluster.

9.6 Conjunctive Use of Surface and Groundwater

Water can be conserved by integrating the management of groundwater and surface water. This can be contained, by minimising groundwater abstraction during periods of excess surface water (i.e. resting the aquifers), or by artificially recharging aquifers whenever possible. Storing water in aquifers could, for example, minimise evaporation from dams, or provide a means to reuse treated wastewater. 9.7 Buy-out of Water Allocations/Rights

The possibility of transferring water use entitlements could be investigated if required, pending agreement on the policy and procedures regarding the process.

10 WATER BALANCE WITH RECONCILIATION OPTIONS 10.1 Estimated Water Requirements and Water availability

The water balance with augmentation for the Polokwane Cluster are presented in Table 10-1 and illustrated graphically in Figure 10-1.

Table 10-1: Future Status with Reconciliation Measures (million m3/a)

Description Source 2011 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035

Ebenezer 16.200 16.200 16.200 16.200 16.200 16.200

Dap Naudé 4.000 4.000 4.000 4.000 4.000 4.000 Available supply Olifants/Sand 7.000 7.000 7.000 7.000 7.000 7.000

Groundwater 3.981 3.981 3.981 3.981 3.981 3.981

Groundwater 0.000 0.000 2.854 2.854 2.854 2.854 Augmentation Olifants/Sand 0.000 5.641 2.327 4.715 6.836 9.048 Additional Support Total Available 31.181 36.822 36.362 38.750 40.871 43.083 Water

Water Low Growth 33.670 36.822 38.831 40.404 41.679 42.986 Requirements (no reconciliation options) High Growth 33.670 36.822 39.628 42.016 44.137 46.349

WC/WDM Low Growth 0.000 0.000 3.266 3.266 3.266 3.266 measures (Savings) High Growth 0.000 0.000 3.266 3.266 3.266 3.266

Low Growth -2.489 0.000 0.797 1.612 2.457 3.363 Surplus/ Shortfall High Growth -2.489 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000

/a) 3

Annual Requirements Requirements m (million Annual 5

0 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017 2019 2021 2023 2025 2027 2029 2031 2033 2035

Ebenezer Dap Naude Olifantspoort Weir Groundwater Grounwater Development Olifantspoort Weir Additional Support Allocation (Surface Water) Allocation (Groundwater) High Scenario with WCWDM High Scenario Theoretical Actual Use

Figure 10-1: Augmentation options and/or implementation of WC/WDM measures

11 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS The following can be concluded from the assessment of the water supply and water requirements of the area supplied from the Rosendal Town Area Water Supply Scheme:

Continuation of the Olifants River Water Supply System Reconciliation Strategy and the Development of a Reconciliation Strategy for the Luvuvhu and Letaba Water Supply System is to investigate the individual water resource water balances in context of the overall Olifants and Letaba River Systems with the various support linkages incorporated, which influence these individual balances. It is recommended that the all findings form these studies are incorporated into this strategy in future.

12 REFERENCES [1] WSDP, (2008) Water Service Development Plan, Interim 2008. [2] DWA Department of Water Affairs and Forestry. Letaba River System: (2005/06) Annual Operating Analysis 2005/06. Prepared by: Semenya Furumele Consulting in association with Makgaleng Projects. Report No: PWMA 02/000/00/0406, June 2006

[3] DWA (2004) Department of Water Affairs and Forestry. Reginal Strategy Infrastructure Plan (RSIP): Capricorn District, Polokwane Local Municipality. Prepared by: BKS in association with Evan Africa Consulting Services, 2004-09-16 (Revised 2006)

[4] StatsSA, 2013 2011 Census Results (Small Area Layer level). Statistics South Africa, released 2013.

[5] DWA, 2014 Development of a Reconciliation Straetgy for the Luvuvhu and Letaba Water Supply System. Memo: Licence Applications – Lepelle Northern Water: Ebenezer and Olifantspoort WTW. Prepared by WRP Consulitng Engineers on behalf of the Department of Water Affairs, Directorate: National Water Resource Planning January 2014.

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