DEPARTMENT OF WATER AFFAIRS AND FORESTRY BREEDE RIVER BASIN STUDY GROUNDWATER ASSESSMENT Final MAY 2003 Groundwater Consulting Services P O Box 2597 Rivonia 2128 Tel : +27 11 803 5726 Fax : +27 11 803 5745 e-mail :
[email protected] This report is to be referred to in bibliographies as : Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, South Africa. 2003. Groundwater Assessment. Prepared by G Papini of Groundwater Consulting Services as part of the Breede River Basin Study. DWAF Report No. PH 00/00/2502. BREEDE RIVER BASIN STUDY GROUNDWATER ASSESSMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The objectives of this study were to assess the significance and distribution of groundwater resources in the Breede River catchment, estimate the amount of abstraction and degree of stress it may be causing and to indicate the scope for further development of groundwater resources. This was achieved by a review of all available literature and obtaining yields and quantities from all significant schemes. The characterisation of important aquifers and assessment of the groundwater balance (recharge versus consumption) allowed for identification of further groundwater potential. The geohydrology of the Breede River catchment is controlled by the occurrence of the rocks of the Table Mountain Group (which form the mountainous areas), the occurrence of high levels of faulting and folding in the syntaxis area of the upper catchment and the variable rainfall, being highest in the mountainous areas in the west. These factors result in a catchment with highest groundwater potential in the west, where recharge, yields and abstraction potential are greatest and the quality is the best. As a result of these factors, the western half of the catchment is also the area with the greatest groundwater use.