Eskom Ingula Pump Storage Scheme

ESKOM

INGULA PUMP STORAGE SCHEME

GEOHYDROLOGICAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

PROPOSED CEMETERY MAY 2010 FINAL REPORT

for

INGULA PUMPED STORAGE SHEME

GHT CONSULTING SCIENTISTS

PROJECT TEAM L.J. van Niekerk M. Smit

Project no.: 274-19-ghd.576 Start Date: February 2010 Current Phase: Final Report Start Date: February 2010 Report no.: RVN 576.1/1025 Report Date: May 2010

Geo-Hydro Technologies OFS (Pty)Ltd. Trading as GHT Consulting • Reg. no. 94/05593/07 • VAT no. 493 017 5890 PO Box 32998 Fichardt Park 9317 • http://www.ghtglobal.com • E-Mail: [email protected] Tel: +27 (0) 51 522 7185 • Fax: +27 (0) 51 522 4205 • Cell: +27 (0) 82 652 2992 +27 (0) 82 656 6996

10 May 2010 Our ref.: RVN 576.1/1025

Zi tholele Consulting (Pty) Ltd PO Box 6002 Hal fway House 1685

South Africa

FO R ATTENTION: Mr. Konrad Kruger

Dear Sir, GEOHYDROLOGICAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT PROPOSED CEMETERY AT ESKOM INGULA PUMPED STORAGE SCHEME MEI 2010 - FINAL REPORT

It is our pleasure in enclosing one electronic copy and three hard copies of the report RVN 576.1/1025 “GEOHYDROLOGICAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT PROPOSED CEMETERY AT ESKOM INGULA PUMPED STORAGE SCHEME MEI 2010 - FINAL REPORT”. This is a final report and includes the field work and detailed description of the hydrological as well as geohydrological assessments on three candidate cemetery sites. All the issues that need immediate attention are also discussed in detail in this report.

We trust that the report will fulfil the expectations of the Power Station and we will supply any additional information if needed.

Yours sincerely,

Louis J van Niekerk (Pr.Sci.Nat.)

Cell: 082 6522992 E-mail: [email protected]

Copies: 1) Three Printed copies and one electronic copy to Mr Konrad Kruger of Zitholele Consulting (Pty) Ltd

Although Geo-Hydro Technologies (Pty) Ltd. exercises due care and diligence in rendering services and preparing documents, Geo-Hydro Technologies (Pty) Ltd. accepts no liability, and the client, by receiving this document, indemnifies Geo-Hydro Technologies (Pty) Ltd. and its directors, managers, agents and employees against all action, claims, demands, losses, liabilities, costs, damages and expenses arising from or in connection with services rendered, directly or indirectly by Geo-Hydro Technologies (Pty) Ltd. and by the use of the information contained in this document. ______This document contains confidential and proprietary information of Geo-Hydro Technologies (Pty) Ltd. and is protected by copyright in favour of Geo-Hydro Technologies (Pty) Ltd. and may not be reproduced, or used without the written consent of Geo-Hydro Technologies (Pty) Ltd., which has been obtained beforehand. This document is prepared exclusively for ESKOM Ingula Pumped Storage Scheme and is subjected to all confidentiality, copyright and trade secret rules, intellectual property law and practices of SOUTH AFRICA.

Directors: L.J. van Niekerk Pr.Sci.Nat. [M.Sc.]; D.C. Rudolph Pr.Sci.Nat. [M.Sc]

Head Office: Bloemfontein (Free State) Offices: Springs (Gauteng); Vryheid (KwaZulu-Natal); Middelburg (Eastern Cape); Hendrina (Mpumalanga); Kimberley (Northern Cape) - 1 -

- TABLE OF CONTENTS -

1 INTRODUCTION ...... 1 1.1 OBJECTIVES OF THE IMPACT ASSESSMENT ...... 1 2 PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY ...... 1 2.1 EXTENT OF INVESTIGATION ...... 1 2.2 TOPOGRAPHY AND SURFACE DRAINAGE ...... 1 2.2.1 Candidate Site 1 ...... 1 2.2.2 Candidate Site 2 ...... 2 2.2.3 Candidate Site 6 ...... 2 2.3 INFRASTRUCTURE AND MAN-MADE FEATURES ...... 2 2.4 CLIMATE AND VEGETATION...... 3 3 UNSATURATED ZONE SOIL CHARACTERISTICS ...... 3 4 GEOLOGY ...... 5 5 GEOPHYSICAL INVESTIGATION...... 6 5.1 APPROACH TO THE MAGNETIC SURVEY ...... 6 5.2 DESCRIPTION OF THE MAGNETIC METHOD...... 6 5.3 STUDY OF ORHTO-PHOTOGRAPHS ...... 7 5.3.1 Candidate Site 1 ...... 7 5.3.2 Candidate Site 2 ...... 7 5.3.3 Candidate Site 6 ...... 7 5.4 STUDY OF AIRBORNE MAGNETIC MAP ...... 7 5.5 GROUND MAGNETIC SURVEY ...... 8 5.5.1 Candidate Site 1 ...... 8 5.5.2 Candidate Site 2 ...... 9 5.5.3 Candidate Site 6 ...... 10 5.6 RECOMMENDATIONS...... 12 6 GEOHYDROLOGY ...... 13 6.1.1 Hydrocensus Information and Field Observations ...... 13 6.1.2 Groundwater Flow Direction ...... 13 7 IMPACT ASSESSMENT ...... 13 7.1 POTENTIAL CONTAMINANT IMPACTS ...... 13 7.2 ASSESSMENT OF FLAG CONDITIONS ...... 14 7.3 ASSESSMENT OF AQUIFER VULNERABILITY ...... 18 8 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 19 9 REFERENCES ...... 20

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- TABLE OF FIGURES -

FIGURE 1. MAGNETIC PROFILE ALONG TRAVERSE T09. 8 FIGURE 2. MAGNETIC PROFILE ALONG TRAVERSE T10. 9 FIGURE 3. MAGNETIC PROFILE ALONG TRAVERSE T11. 9 FIGURE 4. MAGNETIC PROFILE ALONG TRAVERSE T12. 9 FIGURE 5. MAGNETIC PROFILE ALONG TRAVERSE T06. 10 FIGURE 6. MAGNETIC PROFILE ALONG TRAVERSE T07. 10 FIGURE 7. MAGNETIC PROFILE ALONG TRAVERSE T08. 10 FIGURE 8. MAGNETIC PROFILE ALONG TRAVERSE T01. 11 FIGURE 9. MAGNETIC PROFILE ALONG TRAVERSE T02. 11 FIGURE 10. MAGNETIC PROFILE ALONG TRAVERSE T03. 12 FIGURE 11. MAGNETIC PROFILE ALONG TRAVERSE T04. 12 FIGURE 12. MAGNETIC PROFILE ALONG TRAVERSE T05. 12

- LIST OF TABLES -

TABLE 1. LABORATORY PERMEABILITY TEST RESULTS OF SOIL SAMPLES...... 4 TABLE 2. FLAG CONDITIONS CRITERIA AND WEIGHTED FACTORS...... 14 TABLE 3. FLAG CONDITIONS OF CANDIDATE CEMETERY SITE 1...... 15 TABLE 4. FLAG CONDITIONS OF CANDIDATE CEMETERY SITE 2...... 16 TABLE 5. FLAG CONDITIONS OF CANDIDATE CEMETERY SITE 6 ...... 17 TABLE 6. VULNERABILITY OF GROUNDWATER AQUIFER DUE TO HYDROGEOLOGICAL CONDITIONS.. 19

- APPENDICES -

APPENDIX A MAPS APPENDIX B LABORATORY PERMEABILITY TEST RESULTS OF SOIL SAMPLES

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1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Objectives of the Impact Assessment

GHT Consulting was appointed by Zitholele Consulting (Pty) Ltd to perform geohydrological impact investigation on the local aquifer underlying proposed new cemetery sites for the relocation of approximately 20 old graves at Eskom Ingula Pump Storage Scheme. The proposed cemetery is planned to have a footprint of 900 m2 (30 m x 30 m).

The assessment entailed geohydrological activities to determine aquifer vulnerability. The study also investigated the potential of the local underlying aquifer as a groundwater resource.

The potential for the migration of contaminants was also investigated in terms of potential preferential pathways associated with subterranean geological structures such as intrusive dolerite dyke and sill structures of the Beaufort Group, Molteno and Elliott formations of the Karoo Supergroup. The potential of the existence of intrusive dolerite dykes in the study area, which may act as preferential pathways were also investigated by means of aerial magnetic interpretations as well as field geophysical survey methods.

A hydrocensus was also conducted to identify groundwater users in the vicinity of the site, which may be impacted upon in terms of groundwater quality which may be adversely affected by the proposed cemetery.

The locality map of the area showing the various candidate sites can be viewed in Appendix A Map 1. The present study focussed on Candidate Sites 1, 2 and 6.

2 PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY

2.1 Extent of Investigation

The proposed candidate cemetery sites are located in a rural area on the property Bronsbury 1888 (candidate sites 1 and 2) and Redmans Werf 319 portion 1 (candidate site 6) in the Harrismith Magisterial District approximately 40 km northeast of Van Reenen (refer Appendix A Map 1), and falls within grid references (28.2076 oS, 29.5494 oE) and (28.1417 oS, 29.6072 oE). The properties are owned by Eskom.

Field inspections of the areas within two kilometres of the candidate cemetery sites were undertaken. Detailed field investigations were, however, concentrated on the candidate sites.

2.2 Topography and Surface Drainage

The three candidate cemetery sites indentified during the combined field visit and site inspection are located in Drainage Region C, Quaternary sub-catchment C81A (Surface Water Resources of South Africa, 1990).

2.2.1 Candidate Site 1

The topography slopes from south west to north east towards a small non-perennial tributary of the Wilge River. This tributary is located approximately 0.45 km from candidate site 1 and discharge

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0.9 km further downstream into the Wilge River . The topographical contours of the site can be viewed in Appendix A Map 2. The topography of candidate site 1 area has a slope of 0.039 V / 1 H (V = 15 m / H = 380 m, 1:10 000 Ortho photo maps).

2.2.2 Candidate Site 2

The topography slopes from south west to north east towards a small non-perennial tributary of the Wilge River. This tributary is located approximately 0.65 km from candidate site 2 and discharge 1.85 km further downstream into the Wilge River . The topographical contours of the site can be viewed in Appendix A Map 3. The topography of candidate site 2 area has a slope of 0.060 V / 1 H (V = 25 m / H = 420 m, 1:10 000 Ortho photo maps).

2.2.3 Candidate Site 6

The topography slopes from north west to south east towards the Wilge River which is located approximately 0.25 km from candidate site 6. The topographical contours of the site can be viewed in Appendix A Map 4. The topography of candidate site 6 area has a slope of 0.093V / 1 H (V = 25 m / H = 270 m, 1:10 000 Ortho photo maps).

2.3 Infrastructure and Man-made Features

Infrastructure at or in the vicinity of the candidate sites includes the new Ingula Pumped Storage Scheme approximately 8 km to the south-east of the sites. Site improvements initiated by the previous owner mainly include the construction of stock fences around the lot perimeter and a few informal settlements.

In the vicinity where the detailed investigation were conducted at candidate site 6 an old cemetery were observed at coordinates 28.20028 oS and 29.55575 oE. A total of 16 graves were counted.

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Picture 1. Cemetery with 16 graves observed at candidate site 6

2.4 Climate and Vegetation

The investigated area has a climate characterized by mild to hot summers and cold winters, and has a predominantly summer rainfall. The mean annual precipitation (MAP) for the Ingula area is 1006 mm (Van Reenen Police Station Gauge No.: 0333 682, Surface Water Resources of South Africa, 1990).

Air temperature ranges from an average maximum of 26 to 28 oC in January to an average minimum of 0 to 2 oC in July (South African Atlas of Agrohydrology and – Climatology, 1997).

The annual average evaporation is approximately 1405 mm/a, S-Pan (Van Reenen Gauge No.: V1E005, Surface Water Resources of South Africa, 1990). The water balance in the area plays a major role in the possible impacts on especially surface water but also groundwater. It is evident that the evaporation exceeds the precipitation by a large margin. The area thus has a water deficit and a negative water balance in general.

The vegetation of the three areas under investigation is grasslands and mainly utilise as grazing and cattle farming.

3 UNSATURATED ZONE SOIL CHARACTERISTICS

On the 3 March 2010, seven auger holes were drilled until the depth of refusal or maximum machine operating depth had been reached, and representative disturbed samples taken for analyses (laboratory test results are summarized in Table 1 and Appendix B). The localities of all the auger holes are plotted on Maps 2, 3 and 4 of Appendix A.

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Table 1. Laboratory permeability test results of soil samples.

Candidate Site 1 S E o

Sites o Description ( m) ( m) ( mm) ma m sl ( m / d a y) L a t i u de A v e r ag E l e v a t i o n B H D e p th L o n g i t u de S a m p l e No H o l e D i a m p e r m a b ili t y S a m p l e D th ID04 A04A 29.60635° -28.16467° 1752 90 0 - 0.5 2 Reddish brown sandy clay, Fine sand, Well sorted, Slightly moist. 0.9240 A04B 29.60635° -28.16467° 1752 90 0.5 - 2 2 Reddish light brown sandy clay, Well sorted, Moist 0.7132 ID05 A05A 29.6061° -28.16453° 1752 90 0 - 0.5 2 Brown sandy clay, Fine sand, Well sorted, Slightly moist. 1.1415 A05B 29.6061° -28.16453° 1752 90 0.5 - 2 2 Reddish brown sandy clay, Well sorted, Slightly moist. 2.0267

Candidate Site 2 S E o Sites o Description ( m) ( m) ( m m) m a sl ( m / d ay) L a t i ude A v e r ag E l e v a t i o n B H D e p th L o n g i t u de H o l e D i a m S a m p l e No p er m e a b i li t y S am p l e D th ID06 A06A 29.59457° -28.16467° 1746 90 0 - 0.5 2 Brown sandy clay, Well sorted, Slightly moist. 1.1103 A06B 29.59457° -28.16467° 1746 90 0.5 - 2 2 Reddish sandy clay, Well sorted, Moist 0.4393 ID07 A07A 29.59494° -28.1697° 1748 90 0 - 0.5 2 Light brown sandy caly, Well sorted, Slightly moist. 1.0259 A07B 29.59494° -28.1697° 1748 90 0.5 - 2 2 Light brown sandy caly, Well sorted, Slightly moist. 0.7051

Candidate Site 7 S E o

Sites o Description ( m) ( m) ( mm) m a sl ( m / d a y) A v er a g e L a t i u de E l e v a t i o n B H D e p th L o n g i t u de S a m p l e No H o l e D i am p e r m a b il i t y S a m p l e D th ID01 A01 29.55520° -28.19752° 1722 90 0 - 2 2 Orange sandy clay, Well sorted, Slightly moist. 1.6603 ID02 A02 29.55473° -28.19653° 1725 90 0 - 2 2 Light brown sandy clay, Well sorted, Moist. 1.3975 ID03 A03 29.55575° -28.20038° 1715 90 0 - 2 2 Light brown sandy clay, Well sorted, Moist. 0.0673

Profile logging and laboratory results indicate that a surfical covering of sandy clay (CS) of low plasticity occurs across all the candidate sites, and suggest that respective units have consistent physical characteristics across the area. Organic material, consisting predominantly of crop stubble, was apparently restricted to the surficial soil unit, while the underlying material had a mottled appearance and appeared to be in situ weathered sandstone. Field observations suggest that site soils are prone erosion, particularly in areas where surface flow is concentrated.

Particle Size Analyses and Plasticity Index and Linear Shrinkage tests confirm that the sandy clay (CS) units are consistent in character across the area. While the percent clay fraction (<0.002mm) is generally below 15%. This may be because this soil is still forming in response to the in situ weathering of Karoo sediments, and hence is relatively immature.

The in situ field moisture of tested disturbed samples varied between 9.0% and 25.5%. However no water were encountered in any of the auger holes drilled during the field investigation. All the holes were drilled to a depth of just over two meters.

The unsaturated zone thickness is more than 2.15 metres at all three candidate sites. The results of the permeabilities calculated by means of sieve analyses indicate that most of the sites investigated have a relatively high permeability between 0.7 and 2 m/day except at site 6 in the vicinity of auger hole ID07 and the old cemetery where the permeability is 0.07 m/day.

It is expected that potential pollutants from the graves will migrate relatively quickly through the unsaturated zone due to the moderate to high permeabilities and to a lesser extent the thickness of the zone and therefore increases the aquifer vulnerability except in the vicinity of ID07 at site 6.

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The site falls within the Carboniferous to early Jurassic aged Karoo Basin, a geological feature that covers much of South Africa. Sediments of the Van Reenen area are underlain by rocks belonging to the Karoo Supergroup of which the majority belongs to the Beaufort Group. Minor rocks belonging to the Molteno and Elliot formation can be seen in surrounding hills. Refer to Appendix A Map 5.

The underlying Beaufort Group is sub-divided into two subgroups, namely the late Permian Adelaide subgroup and the early Triassic Tarkastad subgroup. The Adelaide subgroup consists of interbedded greenish gray and grayish-red mudstone and sandstone which are overlain by the Tarkastad subgroup consisting of interbedded red coloured mudstone and more sandstone.

The Beaufort Group rocks present in the area are predominantly meandering river and floodplain sedimentary deposits. These deposits are typically fine grained which typically exhibit low primary permeabilities. The geometry of these aquifers is complicated by the lateral migration of meandering streams over a floodplain. Aquifers in the Beaufort Group will thus not only be multi- layered, but also multi-porous with variable thicknesses.

The contact plane between two different sedimentary layers will cause a discontinuity in the hydraulic properties of the composite aquifer. The pumping of a multi-layered aquifer will thus cause the piezometric pressure in the more permeable layers to drop faster than in the less permeable layers. It is therefore possible to completely extract the more permeable layers of the multi-layered Beaufort aquifers, without materially affecting the piezometric pressure in the less permeable layers. This complex behaviour of aquifers in the Beaufort Group is further complicated by the fact that many of the coarser and thus more permeable, sedimentary bodies are lens-shaped.

The Beaufort Group rocks are unconformably overlain by the late Triassic Molteno Formation. The Formation comprises alternating medium- to coarse-grained sandstone and grey mudstone. Rocks belonging to the late Triassic to early Jurassic Elliot formation follow on top of the Molteno Formation and comprise an alternating sequence of mudstone and subordinate fine- to medium- grained sandstone.

Late Triassic to Middle Jurassic aged Dolerite sills and feeder dykes are common in the Karoo Basin. Numerous Dolerite dykes are seen in the area, intruding into the Beaufort Group. Small fracture zones, which frequently are associated with the contact zones between the dykes and the country rock, also are commonly water bearing, and occur throughout the studied area.

The lithostratigraphy of the Van Reenen district consists of the following:

Karoo Supergroup; • Beaufort Group; − Adelaide subgroup; − Tarkastad subgroup; • Molteno Formation; • Elliot Formation.

As mentioned above, all three of the candidate sites investigated during the present study occur within areas underlain by rocks of the Karoo Supergroup, Beaufort Group, Adelaide subgroup and Tarkastad subgroup (refer to Appendix A Map 5). These rocks are predominantly mudstones, shales, siltstones and siltstones. Alluvial deposits occur in the vicinity of Candidate Site 6. Dolerite dykes are known to be abundant in the area under investigation. A prominent dyke with an GHT Consulting Scientists Ingula Pumped Storage Scheme Proposed Cemetery – April 2010 RVN576.1/1025 - 6 - approximate west-north-west/east-south-east strike has been mapped through the northern parts of Candidate Site 1.

5 GEOPHYSICAL INVESTIGATION

This section includes the geophysical information obtained during the survey to detect possible geological features and structures, which may act as preferential pathways for groundwater flow and contaminant transport. During March 2010 GHT Consulting conducted magnetic surveys at three candidate sites considered for the relocation of rural communities burial sites. The existing gravesites will be inundated when the Bedford dam, built by Eskom as an energy storage facility, is filled to capacity. The aims of the magnetic survey were two-fold, namely to: • Detect and delineate magnetic structures within and near the sites that may form preferential pathways for groundwater migration and contaminant transport. The relocated graves should ideally be placed at positions far removed from such structures, and, • Detect and delineate magnetic structures that may be associated with zones of increased aquifer permeability. Such zones could be targeted for the installation of high-yielding boreholes to act as water supply.

5.1 Approach to the Magnetic Survey

As part of the magnetic survey at the selected sites, the following actions were taken: • Ortho-photographs of the sites were studied in order to identify any natural features that could indicate the presence of variations in the local geological conditions. Such features could include visible changes in the vegetation, the presence of rock outcrops and prominent topographical changes. • An airborne magnetic map covering the area of interest was obtained and studied to identify large-scale magnetic features that may be indicative of the presence of geological structures in the area. • Ground magnetic data were recorded along a number of traverses at each site. • The magnetic data recorded during the survey were processed and interpreted in terms of the local geological and geohydrological conditions. • Based on the interpretation of the geophysical data, possible preferred pathways of pollutants were identified.

5.2 Description of the Magnetic Method

The principles on which the magnetic technique operates are briefly described below:

Many earth materials contain magnetic minerals such as magnetite, ilmenite and pyrrhotite. When geological units contain such magnetic minerals, these units may become magnetised by the earth’s magnetic field, and may then have magnetic fields associated with them. These local magnetic fields that are due to the magnetised geological units will be superimposed on the earth’s regional magnetic field. Measurements taken in the vicinity of magnetised geological units will therefore show local variations or departures from the undisturbed magnetic field of the earth (called the regional field). These departures are referred to as anomalies. The shapes of the anomalies are dependent on a number of factors regarding the physical properties and dimensions of the magnetised geological units. By incorporating existing knowledge on the geological conditions at

GHT Consulting Scientists Ingula Pumped Storage Scheme Proposed Cemetery – April 2010 RVN576.1/1025 - 7 - the site being surveyed, the magnetic anomalies recorded during a survey may be interpreted in terms of the local geological conditions.

5.3 Study of Orhto-Photographs

As part of the geophysical investigations overlapping ortho-photographs of the area under investigation were studied to identify any natural features that could indicate the presence of variations in the local geological conditions. Such features could include visible changes in the vegetation, the presence of rock outcrops and prominent topographical changes.

5.3.1 Candidate Site 1

Overlapping ortho-photographs covering Candidate Site 1 are shown in Appendix A Map 6. Two very prominent linear features can immediately be identified. The first lineament extends across the northern parts of the site along a west-north-west/east-south-east strike, while the second occurs towards the south-west of the site and has a north-west/south-east strike. The latter feature was confirmed to be an outcropping dolerite dyke with a thickness of tens of metres.

5.3.2 Candidate Site 2

Overlapping ortho-photographs covering Candidate Site 2 are presented in Appendix A Map 7. No prominent linear features that may be due to geological structures can be identified within the study area.

5.3.3 Candidate Site 6

Overlapping ortho-photographs covering Candidate Site 6 are shown in Appendix A Map 8. A linear feature with a south-west/north-east strike can be identified in the southern parts of the study area. This feature was confirmed to be a thin dolerite dyke which outcrops in the southern parts of the study area, but does not extend to surface further to the north. The dyke is also observed in the drainage canal that runs parallel to the dirt road to the east of the study area.

5.4 Study of Airborne Magnetic Map

An airborne magnetic map covering the area of interest was obtained from the Council for Geoscience. The airborne magnetic map is shown in Appendix A, Map 9. A large number of prominent magnetic lineaments may be identified in the vicinity of the three study areas. These lineaments predominantly have west-south-west/east-north-east and north-west/south-east strikes, although some features also display south-west/north-east strikes. These lineaments are in all likelihood due to large-scale magnetic dyke and sills on top of mountains.

The green area on the aerial magnetic contour map denotes sedimentary rocks. Dolerite intrusives such as dykes and sill structures (red, yellow and purple areas of the map) are occurring in the vicinity of the areas under investigation.

Sedimentary rocks usually have low permeabilities (0.01 - 0.05 m/d) and strorativitity values (1 – 3%). Boreholes drilled into sedimentary rock formations are usually low yielding (0.1 - 0.5 L/s or 360 L/h – 1800 L/h) with the exception where bedding plane fractures are encountered within the sedimentary rocks or fractured baked contacts zones between the sedimentary rocks and magmatic dolerite intrusions such as dykes and sills.

The available aerial magnetic data available for the study area are of a low resolution, which brings about that the smaller dolerite dyke structures occurring within the area cannot be detected due to GHT Consulting Scientists Ingula Pumped Storage Scheme Proposed Cemetery – April 2010 RVN576.1/1025 - 8 - the spacing of the flight lines for the aerial magnetic survey. Therefore field geophysical survey was conducted at the proposed site to determine if smaller dolerite dyke structures do exists in the vicinity of the site.

5.5 Ground Magnetic Survey

The magnetic survey at the candidate sites were conducted by GHT Consulting using the G5 proton magnetometer manufactured by Geotron.

5.5.1 Candidate Site 1

Magnetic data were recorded along two traverses (T09 and T10) in the eastern parts of Candidate Site 1 in an area considered for the relocation of the gravesites. Data were also recorded along an additional two traverses (T11 and T12) across the lineaments observed in the ortho-photographs. The positions of the four ground magnetic traverses relative to the candidate site are shown in Appendix A Map 6.

Profile plots of the ground magnetic data are presented in Figure 1 to Figure 4. Although small magnetic anomalies with amplitudes of less than 30 nT were recorded along traverses T09 and T11, these anomalies are not repeatable from traverse to traverse and do not appear to be due to intrusive dolerite bodies. These anomalies are likely to be due to near-surface sources of noise and could be manmade.

The magnetic data recorded across the prominent dolerite dyke south-west of the site and the lineament in the northern parts of the site yielded strong magnetic responses typical of intrusive dykes. The shapes of the anomalies suggest that the dykes are steep-dipping to the south-west and south, respectively. The dolerite structures altered and fractured the host rock material by the high pressures and heats that prevailed during intrusion.

Figure 1. Magnetic profile along traverse T09.

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Figure 2. Magnetic profile along traverse T10.

Figure 3. Magnetic profile along traverse T11.

Figure 4. Magnetic profile along traverse T12.

5.5.2 Candidate Site 2

Magnetic data were recorded along three traverses (T06 to T08) with south/north strikes across Candidate Site 2. No significant magnetic anomalies were recorded on these three traverses, suggesting that the site is free of magnetic intrusives such as dolerite dykes and/or sills. The positions of the four ground magnetic traverses relative to the candidate site are shown in Appendix A Map 7. Profile plots of the ground magnetic data are presented in Figure 5 to Figure 7.

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Figure 5. Magnetic profile along traverse T06.

Figure 6. Magnetic profile along traverse T07.

Figure 7. Magnetic profile along traverse T08.

5.5.3 Candidate Site 6

Magnetic data were recorded along three parallel traverses (T01 to T03) with south-west/north-east strikes across the candidate site and one traverse approximately perpendicular to these traverses (T04). Magnetic data were also recorded along a fifth traverse (T05) to the east of the candidate site across the estimated position of a dolerite dyke in the vicinity of a small river in order to determined the strike of the dolerite dyke. The positions of the five ground magnetic traverses relative to the candidate site are shown in Appendix A Map 8.

Profile plots of the ground magnetic data are presented in Figure 8 to Figure 12. A very prominent magnetic anomaly with an amplitude of approximately 160 nT was observed near the western parts of traverse T01. This anomaly was, however not observed on traverse T02, indicating that the GHT Consulting Scientists Ingula Pumped Storage Scheme Proposed Cemetery – April 2010 RVN576.1/1025 - 11 - geological feature responsible for the magnetic anomaly runs in a near-parallel direction to these traverses. Large anomalies were also recorded on traverse T03 which ran along the thin dolerite dyke in this part of the survey area. Strong magnetic responses were particularly recorded near the start of traverse T03 where the dolerite dyke outcrops.

Traverse 04 ran approximately perpendicular to the first three traverses and the known dolerite dyke. A very prominent dyke-response was observed at the position of the dyke near station 220. A second large anomaly occurred near the start of the traverse and confirmed the presence of the second dyke as detected along traverse T01.

The magnetic data recorded along traverse T05 clearly revealed the presence of the dyke earlier observed on traverses T03 and T04. Since the shapes of the magnetic anomalies recorded on traverses T01, T04 and T05 suggest that these anomalies are due to thin dykes steeply dipping to the south-east.

Figure 8. Magnetic profile along traverse T01.

Figure 9. Magnetic profile along traverse T02.

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Figure 10. Magnetic profile along traverse T03.

Figure 11. Magnetic profile along traverse T04.

Figure 12. Magnetic profile along traverse T05.

5.6 Recommendations

Based on the results of the magnetic survey all three candidate sites investigated appear to be the suitable for the relocation of the gravesites. However, care should be taken to ensure that the relocated gravesites do not occur in the immediate vicinities of the dykes at sites 1 and 6 in order to protect the groundwater resource against possible contaminant impacts. This is especially relevant at site 6 where two dykes have been identified running across the site.

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6.1.1 Hydrocensus Information and Field Observations

A hydrocensus was conducted around the candidate cemetery sites to identify potential groundwater users in the vicinity of these sites that may be adversely affected should contamination occur due to the proposed cemetery. No boreholes or other groundwater sites could be located in a two kilometre radius around the three sites. Water for stock watering and domestic use are mainly from the Wilge River and other smaller tributaries of the Wilge River.

6.1.2 Groundwater Flow Direction

Due to the fact that no boreholes could be located in the vicinity of the three candidate sites investigated no groundwater elevation measurements could be taken. However during the drilling of the auger holes no water was intercepted to a depth of 2.15 mbgl. The soil samples from all these auger holes were also only slightly moist.

Normally the groundwater table mimics the above topography if not disturbed by artificial recharge from manmade activities. Therefore, due to the lack of other groundwater level data it was decided to use the topographical elevation data to estimate the direction of groundwater flow as indicated in Appendix A Map 2, 3 and 4.

7 IMPACT ASSESSMENT

The following section is based on information obtained from the current investigations done on the three candidate cemetery sites.

7.1 Potential Contaminant Impacts

It was found in previous studies that microorganisms that proliferate during the process of decomposition of corpses do pose a risk of groundwater contamination. The identified numbers of microbiological indicators that may be present in the immediate area of the remains include faecal coliform, E. coli, faecal streptococci, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Cemeteries may also be a source of inorganic contamination. Potential contaminants include: arsenic, mercury, formaldehyde, varnishes, sealers, preservatives, lead, zinc, copper and iron. Some of these have been and are used in embalming. Schraps (1972) found that shallow groundwater samples taken in a cemetery showed contamination in the immediate vicinity of the graves, but that this contamination rapidly attenuated with distance (as reported by Bouwer, 1978).

The areas most vulnerable to this type of contamination are those with a high water table, and those with high rainfall. The rainfall of the Ingula Pump Storage Scheme area is relatively high (1006 mm/a) and therefore the area should be potentially more vulnerable to groundwater contamination or water quality impacts. From the information gathered during the field investigations it could be concluded that the groundwater tables at the proposed sites are between 2 and 4 mbgl, which increases the aquifer vulnerability. It must be noted that the area has received above average rainfall in the last couple of months, which might have elevated the water table somewhat. All three the proposed candidate sites are situated on the topographic heights and therefore it might be problematic to find a site with a deeper water table in the immediate vicinity of the Ingula Pump Storage Scheme.

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The flag conditions of the three candidate cemetery sites were evaluated according to the criteria in the following table and apply a weighted factor each.

Table 2. Flag conditions criteria and weighted factors.

Flag Condition Rating Comment

20 > 0.24 m/d Impermeable

Is the site situated in areas of groundwater recharge on account 15 0.24 - 0.36 m/d Relatively Impermeable 1 of topography and/or highly permeable soils. Is the rate of flow through the unsaturated zone high? 10 0.36 - 1.2 m/d Relatively Permeable 0 1.2 - 24 m/d Permeable

20 No aquifers within 50 m of site Is the site situated on areas overlaying or adjacent (50m) to 2 important or potentially important aquifers, where such 10 Exploitable aquifers within 50 m of site aquifers are to be use for water supply purposes? 0 (F) The site overlaying exploitable aquifers

25 > 8 m Deep water table

Is the groundwater table less than 4 m from the base (1.8 m) of 15 4 - 8 m Intermediate water table 3 the potential graves and is the attenuation of contaminants in the unsaturated zone efficient? 5 0 - 4 m Possible perched water table 0 (F) 0 - 4 m Waterlogged

20 No water source within 50 m of site Is there any water source down-gradient and within 50 m of 4 10 Water source within 50 m but up-gradient from site proposed cemetery site? 0 (F) Water source within 50 m but down-gradient from site

20 No surface water bodies in close proximity and above 1 in 50 year flood Is the site located in close proximity to water bodies such as 5 wetlands, vleis, pans, estuaries and floodplains. Is the site 10 Surface water bodies in close proximity but above 1 in 50 year flood located below the 1 in 50 year flood line of a river or stream? 0 (F) Surface water bodies below 1 in 50 year flood

20 Stable

Is the site situated in areas characterised by steep gradients, 15 Overbreak 6 shallow bedrock with little soil cover, where stability of slopes could be a problem? 10 Slightly unstable 0 (F) Unstable

20 Sufficient topsoil > 8 m from base of potential graves Is the base of the potential graves in or on fractured bedrock 7 10 Un-sufficient topsoil < 8 m from base of potential graves which act as recharge zone? 0 (F) Base of the potential graves are in or on fractured bedrock

15 No surface, groundwater or other pollution sources in the vicinity of site

Is the surface or groundwater already contaminated by other 15 Contaminated 8 activities in the area? 10 Slightly contaminated 5 Not contaminated

20 Situated on stable areas Is the site situated on unstable areas, like fault zones, seismic 9 zones, dolomitic or karst areas where sinkholes and subsidence 10 Situated on slightly unstable areas are likely? 0 (F) Situated on unstable areas

20 No sensitive ecological areas are in the vicinity of the site

10Is the site situated in or near sensitive ecological areas 5 Sensitive ecological areas are in the vicinity of the site

0 (F) Situated in sensitive ecological areas

The flag conditions of the three candidate sites are summarised in the following tables. The final rating indicates the physical suitability of the sites. (refer Table 3 to Table 5)

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Table 3. Flag conditions of candidate cemetery Site 1.

Flag Condition Present Rating Comment

Is the site situated in areas of groundwater recharge on account The unsaturated zone consists of sandy clay which is relatively permeable with a 1 of topography and/or highly permeable soils. Is the rate of flow Yes 10 average hydraulic conductivity of 1.2 m/d. through the unsaturated zone high?

Is the site situated on areas overlaying or adjacent (50m) to A dolerite dyke which can act as a potential aquifer or preferential pathway is in the 2 important or potentially important aquifers, where such Yes 15 vicinity of the proposed site. Care must be taken that the cemetery is placed further than aquifers are to be use for water supply purposes? 50 m from the dyke.

Is the groundwater table less than 4 m from the base (1.8 m) of The auger holes were drilled to a depth of just over 2m. The soil was only slightly moist 3 the potential graves and is the attenuation of contaminants in Yes 15 and no water was encountered. the unsaturated zone efficient?

No boreholes are located down gradient of the proposed cemetery. The origin of a non- Is there any water source down-gradient and within 50 m of 4 Yes 15 perennial stream is situated on the edge of the eastern corner of the area. Care must be proposed cemetery site? taken that the cemetery is placed further than 50m from the stream.

Is the site located in close proximity to water bodies such as The area is situated on a topographic high and none of the mentioned sensitive surface 5 wetlands, vleis, pans, estuaries and floodplains. Is the site No 20 water bodies are in close proximity of the proposed site located below the 1 in 50 year flood line of a river or stream?

Is the site situated in areas characterised by steep gradients, 6 shallow bedrock with little soil cover, where stability of slopes No 20 The area is situated on a flat surface with a soil cover of more than 2 m. could be a problem?

7 Is the base of the potential graves in or on fractured bedrock? No 20 The soil cover is more than 2 m.

Is the surface or groundwater already contaminated by other 8 No 15 There are no other pollution sources in the area. activities in the area?

Is the site situated on unstable areas, like fault zones, seismic The site is underlain by sediments of the Karoo Supergroup of which the majority 9 zones, dolomitic or karst areas where sinkholes and subsidence No 20 belongs to the Beaufort Group. These rocks are predominantly mudstones, shales, are likely? siltstones and siltstones

10 Is the site situated in or near sensitive ecological areas No 20 No sensitive ecological areas exist near the proposed site

Site Rating 170 Saisfactory

Very good >180 Poor 120 - 150 Satisfactory 150 - 180 Unaceptable < 120 Site has fatal flaws F

No potential issue. Potential issue.

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Table 4. Flag conditions of candidate cemetery Site 2.

Flag Condition Present Rating Comment

Is the site situated on areas overlaying or adjacent (50m) to No dolerite dykeor sills which can act as a potential aquifer or preferential pathway is in 2 important or potentially important aquifers, where such Yes 20 the vicinity of the proposed site. aquifers are to be use for water supply purposes?

No boreholes are located down gradient of the proposed cemetery. The origin of a non- Is there any water source down-gradient and within 50 m of 4 Yes 15 perennial stream is situated in northern part of the area. Care must be taken that the proposed cemetery site? cemetery is placed further than 50m from the stream.

7 Is the base of the potential graves in or on fractured bedrock? No 20 The soil cover is more than 2 m.

Is the surface or groundwater already contaminated by other 8 No 15 There are no other pollution sources in the area. activities in the area?

10 Is the site situated in or near sensitive ecological areas No 20 No sensitive ecological areas exist near the proposed site

Site Rating 175 Saisfactory

Very good >180 Poor 120 - 150 Satisfactory 150 - 180 Unaceptable < 120 Site has fatal flaws F

No potential issue. Potential issue.

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Table 5. Flag conditions of candidate cemetery Site 6

Flag Condition Present Rating Comment

Is the site situated on areas overlaying or adjacent (50m) to Two dolerite dykes which can act as a potential aquifer or preferential pathway is in the 2 important or potentially important aquifers, where such Yes 15 vicinity of the proposed site. Care must be taken that the cemetery is placed further than aquifers are to be use for water supply purposes? 50 m from the dyke.

Is there any water source down-gradient and within 50 m of No boreholes are located down gradient of the proposed cemetery. The Wilge River is 4 Yes 15 proposed cemetery site? situated ± 250 m down gradient from the site.

Is the site situated in areas characterised by steep gradients, 6 shallow bedrock with little soil cover, where stability of slopes No 20 The area is situated on a area with a slight gradient with a soil cover of more than 2 m. could be a problem?

7 Is the base of the potential graves in or on fractured bedrock? No 20 The soil cover is more than 2 m.

Is the surface or groundwater already contaminated by other A small existing cemetery does exist next to the proposed cemetery site and therefore 8 No 15 activities in the area? there is a slight possibility that groundwater impact may have already occurred.

10 Is the site situated in or near sensitive ecological areas No 20 No sensitive ecological areas exist near the proposed site

Site Rating 170 Saisfactory

Very good >180 Poor 120 - 150 Satisfactory 150 - 180 Unaceptable < 120 Site has fatal flaws F

No potential issue. Potential issue. The following comments and conclusion are made regarding the aquifer vulnerability and flag conditions: • The Site Rating according to the final rating which indicates the physical suitability of the sites are as follows: − Candidate Site 1 - 170 Satisfactory − Candidate Site 2 - 175 Satisfactory − Candidate Site 6 - 170 Satisfactory • Candidate Site 1 − The unsaturated zone consists of sandy clay which is relatively permeable with an average hydraulic conductivity of 1.2 m/d. − The auger holes were drilled to a depth of just over 2 m. The soil was only slightly moist and no water was encountered.

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− A dolerite dyke exists in the northern part of the area. This dolerite dyke can act as a potential aquifer or preferential pathway. Care must be taken that the cemetery is placed further than 50 m from the dyke. − The origin of a non-perennial stream is also situated on the edge of the eastern corner of the area. Care must be taken that the cemetery is placed further than 50 m from the stream. • Candidate Site 2 − The unsaturated zone consists of sandy clay which is relatively permeable with an average hydraulic conductivity of 0.8 m/d. − The auger holes were drilled to a depth of just over 2 m. The soil was only slightly moist and no water was encountered. − The origin of a non-perennial stream is situated in northern part of the area. Care must be taken that the cemetery is placed further than 50 m from the stream. • Candidate Site 6 − The unsaturated zone consists of sandy clay which is relatively permeable with an average hydraulic conductivity of 1.0 m/d. − The auger holes were drilled to a depth of just over 2 m. The soil was only slightly moist and no water was encountered. − Two dolerite dyke exists in the north western part of the area. These dolerite dykes can act as a potential aquifers or preferential pathways. Care must be taken that the cemetery is placed further than 50 m from these dykes. − The Wilge River is situated ± 250 m south east and down gradient from the site. Care must be taken that the cemetery is placed further than 50 m and above the 1 : 50 year flood line of the stream.

7.3 Assessment of Aquifer Vulnerability

The vulnerability of the underground water source is related to the distance that the contaminant must flow to reach the water table, and the ease with which it can flow through the soil and rock layers above the water table. An assessment of the soil and rock types, and the distance to the water table may be obtained from hydrogeological reports, from site inspection, and using Table 3 to Table 5.

Five broad classes of aquifer vulnerability are defined in Table 6.

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Table 6. Vulnerability of Groundwater Aquifer due to Hydrogeological Conditions.

Vulnerability Class Measurements Definition

Extreme Vulnerable to most pollutants with relatively rapid (usually highly fractured rock and/or water loggged High risk and short distance to water table impact from most contamination disposed of at or perged ground water table 0-2m) close to the surface

High Vulnerable to many pollutants except those highly (usually gravely or fractured rock, and/or high perched High risk and medium distance to water table absorbed, filtered and/or readily transformed water table 2-4m)

Medium Vulnerable to inorganic pollutants but with negligible (usually fine sand, deep loam soils with semi-solid Low risk and medium to long distances to water table risk of organic or microbiological contaminants rock and average water table (4-8m)

Low Only vulnerable to the most persistent pollutants in the (usually clay or loam soils with semi-solid rock and Minimal and low risk and long distance to water table very long term average water table (4-8m)

Negligible Minimalriskwithconfininglayersandverylong Confining beds present with no significant infiltration (usually dense clay and/or solid impervious rock with distance to water table from surface areas above aquifer deep water table >8m)

Site Criteria Bracket The vulnerability of the underlying aquifer at all three candidate cemetery sites near Ingula Pump Storage Scheme are classified as Medium. A medium risk is posed to the aquifer due to fine sand, deep loam soils with semi-solid rock and average water table (4-8 m) with a medium to long distances to the local water table. The aquifer is vulnerable to inorganic pollutants but with negligible risk of organic or microbiological contaminants.

The above is in accordance with the definitions contained in the National Water Act, No 36 of 1998 (NWA), a cemetery constitutes an activity that may impact on water resource in terms of Section 21(g) of the NWA, which need to be authorised.

8 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The following conclusions and recommendations are based on the information supplied in this report: • The classification of the three candidate cemetery sites are as follows: − The physical suitability of all three candidate cemetery sites is Satisfactory. − Aquifer vulnerability of all three candidate cemetery sites is Medium. • The above classifications are only valid if the following issues are adhered to: − The proposed cemetery is placed further than 50 m from the dolerite dykes at candidate sites 1 and 6. − The proposed cemetery is placed further than 50 m from the origins of the non-perennial streams at candidate sites 1 and 2. − The proposed cemetery is placed further than 50 m and above the 1 : 50 year flood line of the Wilge River. • In the vicinity where the detailed investigation were conducted at Candidate Site 6 an old cemetery were observed at coordinates 28.20028 oS and 29.55575 oE. A total of 16 graves were counted. Auger hole ID03 was drilled in the direct vicinity of the old graves and yield lower soil permeabilities (0.06 m/d) then the other auger holes. The soils in this area are therefore classified as impermeable. If Candidate Site 6 is to be used for the relocation of the

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old graves at the Bedford Dam it is recommended that the burial sites must be placed in close proximity of the existing graves.

9 REFERENCES

BOUWER H (1978) Groundwater Hydrology. McGraw-Hill, Inc. pp. 423-424.

Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (1993) South African Water Quality Guidelines (first edition), Volume 1: Domestic Use.

Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (1996) South African Water Quality Guidelines (second edition), Volume 1: Domestic Use.

Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (1998) Quality of Domestic Water Supply, Volume 1: Assessment Guide. WRC Report Nr. TT101/98.

MIDGLEY DC, PITMAN WV & MIDDLETON BJ (1990) Surface Water Resources of South Africa, Volume II Appendices, WRC Report No. 298/2.1/94 and the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF).

MIDGLEY DC, PITMAN WV & MIDDLETON BJ (1990) Surface Water Resources of South Africa, Volume II Book of Maps, WRC Report No. 298/2.2/94 and the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF).

Quality of Domestic Water Supply, Volume 1: Assessment Guide (1998) WRC Report Nr. TT101/98.

ROUX AT, Geophysical Field Manual for Technicians, No. 1, The Magnetic Method, South African Geophysical Association.

SCHULZE RE, MAHARAJ M, LYNCH SD, HOWE BJ & MELVIN-THOMSON B (1997) South African Atlas of Agrohydrology and –Climatology. WRC Report No. TT82/96.

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