CEN INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT UNIT Environmental and Rural Development Specialist
DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT:
PROPOSED KEI ROAD WATER TREATMENT WORKS AND CONVEYANCE FOR THE BUFFALO CITY MUNICIPALITY, EASTERN CAPE
DEDEAT REFERENCE NO: EC/4/A/LN1,LN2,LN3/M/14-35
February 2016
Project Title: Draft Environmental Impact Assessment Report: Proposed Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the Buffalo City Municipality, Eastern Cape
Project Applicant: Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM)
DEDEAT Reference Number: EC/4/A/LN1,LN2,LN3/M/14-35
Environmental Assessment Practitioner: CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit 36 River Road, Walmer, Port Elizabeth, 6070 South Africa Phone (041) 581-2983 • Fax 086 504 2549 E-mail: [email protected] / [email protected]
Compiled by: Lucille Behrens Reviewed by: Dr Mike Cohen
Date of Report: 8 February 2016 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
PROPOSED PROJECT
The Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance Project seeks to improve the treated drinking water supply to the Upper Buffalo Water Supply Scheme. The project concept was previously identified in the water services master planning conducted by Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM), to meet the growing water demand anticipated for the Bhisho and Berlin areas.
The proposed project is located within the Eastern Cape, extending over the borders of Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, Amathole District Municipality and Amahlati Local Municipality. The proposed route for the water pipelines will be from the Wriggleswade Transfer Canal to the proposed WTW at Border Post, and from the WTW through to Bhisho and Berlin (refer to Figure 2-1).
The proposed water supply scheme would require a treatment capacity of 48 Mℓ/day with an ultimate demand of about 11.62 million m3/annum. The proposed project entails the following, and will be undertaken in three phases: a) Construction of a new Water Treatment Works (WTW), consisting of three 16Ml/d modules, total capacity is 48 Ml. This will be undertaken in three phases, where each phase consists of 16Ml/day (Phase 1: 16Ml/day, Phase 2: 32Ml/day and Phase 3: 48Ml/day). b) Silt waste from the backwash recovery tank and the sedimentation tank will be sent to process silt lagoons which will be located downhill from the WTW. Three lagoons will be provided for each phase. The Phase 1 lagoon consists of four compartments, catering to the Phase 1 loading only, with a wet loading period of 3 months per compartment, and a drying period of 9 months. Thus the compartments are sized for a 12 month period, with three-monthly silt removal periods proposed. For Phases 2 and 3, the loading on the silt lagoons will be reviewed and the future lagoons will be sized accordingly. It is anticipated that the design for Phase 1 is very conservative and that the lagoon requirements for Phase 2 and Phase 3 will be much less than was allowed for in Phase 1. c) Construction of a raw water storage dam (in two phases), a total capacity of 609 Ml (in order to meet the DWS requirements for 21 days of storage at AADD, 29 Ml). Initially the dam will be constructed to cater for a capacity of 407Ml (in order to meet a 14 day storage period at Phase 3 AADD, 29Ml/d).
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d) Construction of pipeline for supply of raw water from the Kei Road Canal to the proposed WTW. e) Construction of bulk potable water pipelines from the WTW to Bhisho and Berlin. f) Pipeline diameters will be in the order of between 315mm and 700mm. Installation will be below ground and traverse farm land, water courses, rural villages and national roads. g) Construction of a potable water reservoir, 4 Ml capacity, at ground level and two 450 kl elevated tanks at Berlin.
The proposed project has been expanded to include the following in order to connect to existing rural water supply networks:
Option A: Nompumelelo Reservoir via Mjali Borehole
a) A proposed 350mm ND, 780m long gravity pipeline from the proposed potable bulk pipeline, to the Mjali borehole, where it will be fed into an existing rising main that leads to Mjali, to feed the BCMM rural areas (Mjali, Tukayi, Phantsikwa Train, Empgengepenge, Drayini, Village, Nkqonkqweni, Sixekweni). Upgrades to the existing Mjali borehole pump may be required, as well as the construction of a pump sump structure.
b) A new 3Ml reservoir (with a fenced area of 0.36ha) will have to be constructed at the site of the current Mjali reservoir, to feed the BCMM rural areas such as Mjali, Tukayi, Phantsikwa Train, Empgengepenge, Drayini, Village, Nkqonkqweni, and Sixekweni.
c) A proposed 400mm ND, 1700m long rising main from the Mjali borehole to the Nompumelelo reservoir, to feed ADM rural areas as well as BCMM rural areas such as Peelton.
d) A proposed new 6Ml reservoir (0.64ha) at the Nompumelelo reservoir site, in order to provide water to the ADM rural areas as well as BCMM rural areas (Peelton/Mdange).
e) A proposed offtake position for the supply of potable water to BCMM rural areas at Hanover, including a 110mm DN pipe from the potable bulk pipeline to a proposed new storage reservoir.
f) A proposed new 600kl storage reservoir (approximately 100m2) at Hanover.
g) A proposed offtake position for the supply of potable water to BCMM rural areas at Kings Cross. No additional supply pipelines will be included.
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Option B: Border Post BPT via Border Post WTW Pump Station
a) The construction of a pump station at the Border Post WTW.
b) A proposed 400mm DN, 1600m long rising main from the Border Post WTW pump station to the Border Post Break Pressure Tank (BPT).
c) A 6Ml reservoir (0.64ha) at the Border Post Break Pressure Tank site, adjacent to the current BPT (existing 500kl Border Post reservoir).
d) A 50kl Break Pressure Tank, to feed a gravity main to Mjali
e) A splitting chamber to split the water from the rising main between the 6Ml reservoir and the 50kl Break Pressure Tank
f) A proposed 250mm DN, 4400m long gravity main from the new Border Post BPT to the Mjali reservoir, to feed the Mjali area.
g) A new 3Ml reservoir (0.36ha) will have to be constructed at the site of the current Mjali reservoir, to feed the BCMM rural areas such as Mjali, Tukayi, Phantsikwa Train, Empgengepenge, Drayini, Village, Nkqonkqweni, Sixekweni
h) Peelton, Nompumelelo and the ADM rural areas will be fed from the Border Post reservoir via the existing water network.
i) A proposed offtake position for the supply of potable water to BCMM rural areas at Hanover, including a 110mm DN pipe from the potable water pipeline to a proposed new storage reservoir.
j) A proposed new 600kl storage reservoir (approximately 100m2) at Hanover.
k) A proposed offtake position for the supply of potable water to BCMM rural areas at Kings Cross. No additional supply pipelines will be included.
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NEED AND DESIRABILITY
Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality recently completed a water services master plan for the King William’s Town area. A key recommendation of this plan was to develop a regional Water Treatment Works in the Kei Road area to meet the growing water demand anticipated for the Bhisho and Berlin areas and to maximise the supply of treated water to the Upper Buffalo Water Supply Scheme. The water would be sourced from the Wriggleswade Transfer Canal and conveyed from there to the Bhisho area. This project seeks to improve the water supply scheme to Bhisho and Berlin, as well as certain rural communities north of Bhisho (Aurecon, 2014).
The proposed Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance Project (Water Supply Scheme) is identified in the Integrated Development Plan [IDP], 2014 and the Water Services Development Plan. The IDP (2014) identifies the King Williams Town / Bhisho area as a Priority Area, where the BCMM needs to ensure sufficient bulk infrastructure is available to support the initiative of consolidating Bhisho as the Administrative Capital of the Eastern Cape. An additional objective that will be met in the IDP through the Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance Project is the provision of high quality water drinking water in the BCMM and to ensure universal access to potable water (IDP, 2014).
According to the Buffalo City Spatial Development Framework [SDF], 2003/2004, the proposed Kei Road WTW, raw water dams and the majority of the pipeline routes are located outside of the BCMM urban edge. A small portion of the proposed pipeline routes traverse within urban edge areas. The proposed raw water pipeline, WTW and raw water dam site, as well as the northern portion of the potable water pipeline route are located on a Planned Rural Development Zone. The potable water pipeline route further traverses across ‘designed and proposed protected areas’, ‘conservancy network – STEP / Limited Agriculture’, settlements and ‘other agricultural’ areas.
ALTERNATIVES
The “No-Go” approach entails that the proposed Kei Road WTW and Conveyance is not developed in the area, i.e. that no development as per the proposal is undertaken and the status quo remains.
Three sites for the raw water storage dam were initially identified as alternative sites in the Scoping Phase, with a fourth site being added during the EIA Phase. Option 1 and 2 are located towards the top reaches of a valley, while Option 3 is located at an existing dam within the valley. Option 4 is located between two non-perennial drainage lines and overlaps with a portion of Option 1. The site alternatives are limited due to the topography and required placement of the raw water storage dam
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for the proposed WTW. Options 1 to 3 considered a 378Ml storage capacity and Option 4 considers 609Ml storage capacity, as a result the surface area for the alternative options differ.
Overall there is no significant difference between the four options. Considering the overall factors for the dam site, Option 4 is recommended.
Site layouts for the WTW are constrained due to the topography and elevation placement for the raw water gravity feed from the raw water storage dam and to enable gravity feed of potable water to the Bhisho and Berlin reservoirs. Two site positions have been considered. WTW Option 1 is the initial placement of the WTW and WTW Option 2 is a revised WTW placement.
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Considering the overall factors for the WTW site, Option 2 is recommended.
Alternative routes for the pipelines were considered during a feasibility study undertaken prior to this EIA process. As such alternative routes are not being considered in this EIA process, but rather alternative deviations on the main routes.
Three alternatives, i.e. trenching, trenchless and suspended pipelines have been considered for the pipeline river crossings. Considering the overall potential impact on the KwaNkwebu for the Raw Water Pipeline Crossing and Border Post Gravity Main, the conventional trenching method is recommended. Considering the overall potential impact on the Yellowwoods River for the Bhisho Potable Water Pipeline R63 Crossing, the conventional trenching method is recommended. Considering the overall potential impact on the Yellowwoods River for the Berlin Potable Water Pipeline Crossing at the Lonsdale Bridge, the HDD alternative is recommended, downstream of the Lonsdale Bridge. Considering the overall potential impact on the KwaNkwebu for the Mjali Gravity Pipeline and the Nompumelelo Raising Main Crossing, the conventional trenching method is recommended. All remaining watercourses will entail the conventional trenching method.
SPECIALIST STUDIES
The following specialist studies have been done:
a) Heritage Impact Assessment, includes an archaeological and palaeontological component. b) Wetland and Aquatic Assessment c) Ecological study (flora and fauna) d) Fish Impact Assessment
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT
The proposed Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance Project (Water Supply Scheme) is identified in the Integrated Development Plan [IDP], 2014 and the Water Services Development Plan. The IDP (2014) identifies the King Williams Town / Bhisho area as a Priority Area, where the BCMM needs to ensure sufficient bulk infrastructure is available to support the initiative of consolidating Bhisho as the Administrative Capital of the Eastern Cape. An additional objective that will be met in the IDP through the Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance Project is the provision of high quality water drinking water in the BCMM and to ensure universal access to potable water (IDP, 2014).
Water is a scarce resource in the area and the proposed Kei Road WTW and Conveyance seeks to alleviate the pressure on potable water resources. Additional
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rural connection pipelines have been included in order to provide water to the adjacent Mjali and Peelton areas within the BCMM. Infrastructure has been included in three areas (at Border Post, Hanover and Nompumelelo) in order to ensure there is a sufficient supply of water to the Bhisho areas during the interim time until the WTW and raw water storage dam is operational. Two future off take connection points on the Berlin pipeline are envisaged, i.e. at Hanover and Kings Cross, on the bulk potable water pipelines.
The No Go Alternative entails that no additional water will be provided to the Bhisho, Berlin and surrounding communities by the proposed scheme. The risk of limited potable water remains where water scarcity is experienced, with a medium negative impact.
The overall Bhisho Potable Water Pipeline route has been amended in certain sections to allow for the requirements from SANRAL. These include the future upgrading of the R63, the placement of the pipeline at least 10m from the R63 fence and the proposed pipeline to remain a minimum of 27m from the centre line of the existing R63. The WTW and raw water storage dam are located away from the existing R63 and would not impact on any future realignment of the R63.
Overall construction will take place over a maximum 20m width, and where the construction width decreases to 10m, designated stockpiles will be used for temporary storage of soil. During the construction phase no agricultural activities would be able to take place where construction works are being undertaken. During the operational phase, a 10m servitude will be required for the pipeline routes, and as the pipeline would be buried stock farming could continue within the servitude area.
Impacts related to vegetation clearance will be on the sections indicated as medium to high sensitivity, i.e. at the WTW and dam site, along the proposed Raw Water Pipeline between points RW1 to RW3, RW4 to RW7, along the Bhisho Potable Water Pipeline between points 8 to 14, 26 to 22, 25 to 26, along the Berlin Potable Water Pipeline between points 27 to 28, 33 to 38, 44 to 45. Areas indicated as high sensitive areas are due to the populations of Bergeranthus leightoniae and Pelargonium sidoides. A total of 24 alien plant species were noted and nine (9) species fall within the listed categories of CARA and/or NEMBA for declared invader plants. Stockpile areas have been indicated along the pipeline routes where construction widths are limited to 10m for the stockpiling of soils. However, some of these stockpile areas are located adjacent to areas that have been indicated as high sensitive vegetation areas. It can be anticipated that the same vegetation sensitivity is thus also located at the areas for these stockpiles. The area sizes required for the stockpiles plus a 10m width area for the pipeline route does not differ greatly when compared to the area size required for a 20m width only. It is thus recommended that the construction width in areas of high sensitive vegetation remains as 20m in order to avoid clearing large rectangular areas for stockpiles. Stockpile areas that are
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required in areas with a vegetation classification of low or medium can be undertaken but the areas should be limited to only that which is necessary.
The majority of wetlands (8) affected are either modified wetlands, wetland areas formed in borrowpits or dams, and are classified with a PES of D (largely modified). The remaining wetlands (5) are classified with an PES Ecological Category of B ‘largely natural with few modifications’ and are located adjacent to the road reserves. The PES of the upper KwaNkwebu is considered to be in a C Ecological Category, which is described as “moderately modified, where some loss and change of natural habitat and biota have occurred but the basic ecosystem functions are still predominantly unchanged.” The PES for the Yellowwoods River is rated as an Ecological Category D - indicating a largely modified system where a large loss of natural habitat, biota and basic ecosystem functions has occurred. The other watercourse crossing sites along the pipeline routes are considered to be in a relatively degraded and largely modified present ecological state (PES of C or D) due to previous construction activities, overgrazing, cattle trampling, clearing of indigenous riparian trees and invasion of riparian zones by alien black wattle. No aquatic flora and fauna species of special concern were evident in the wetland areas. The endangered Sandelia bainsii has been previously noted within the KwaNkwebu and Yellowwood River systems, and their presence should still be considered within these systems. Indigenous riparian vegetation, including Yellowwood trees, as well as alien riparian vegetation will be removed during construction. During construction it is then expected that the aquatic habitat will be disturbed due to the trenching method to traverse these areas, except for the Yellowwoods River crossing at the Lonsdale Bridge which will be undertaken via the HDD method. The aquatic habitat will not be completely destroyed or fragmented as the pipeline would be buried and the aquatic habitat rehabilitated.
Negative impacts associated with the proposed Kei Road WTW and Conveyance Project were determined and assessed and it was found that, with implementation of the recommended mitigation measures, all potential impacts can be reduced to a “very low”, “low” negative and/or positive significance (as per the summary presented in Table below).
Table 0-1: Summary of Impacts Theme Heritage: Buildings and Sites of a Historic Nature Phase Construction Phase Operational Phase “No go” Level of Very Low (negative -) Very Low (negative -) N/A significance Level of No change in significance with Very Low (-) Very Low (-) status mitigation Theme Heritage: Graves and Burial Sites Phase Construction Phase Operational Phase “No go” Level of Low (negative -) Very Low (negative -) N/A significance
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Level of No change in significance with Very Low (-) Very Low (-) status mitigation Theme Heritage: Paleontological Sites Phase Construction Phase Operational Phase “No go” Level of Medium (negative -) N/A N/A significance Level of No change in significance with Low (-) N/A status mitigation Theme Ecological: Terrestrial Vegetation Phase Construction Phase Operational Phase “No go” Level of Medium (negative -) Low (negative -) Low (negative -) significance Level of significance with Low (-) Low (-) Low (-) mitigation Theme Ecological: Avifauna and Fauna Phase Construction Phase Operational Phase “No go” Level of No change in Low (negative -) N/A significance status Level of No change in significance with Low (-) N/A status mitigation Theme Aquatic: Potential Loss of Wetland or Riparian Habitat Phase Construction Phase Operational Phase “No go” Level of No change in High (negative -) Low (negative -) significance status Level of No change in significance with Low (-) Low (-) status mitigation Theme Aquatic: Sedimentation and Elevated Turbidity in Riparian Zone Phase Construction Phase Operational Phase “No go” Level of Medium (negative -) Low (negative -) Low (negative -) significance Level of significance with Low (-) Low (-) Low (-) mitigation Theme Aquatic: Water Quality Phase Construction Phase Operational Phase “No go” Level of No change in Medium (negative -) Low (negative -) significance status Level of No change in significance with Low (-) Very Low (-) status mitigation Theme Agricultural Land and Soils Phase Construction Phase Operational Phase “No go” Level of Medium (negative -) Low (negative -) Low (negative -) significance Level of significance with Low (-) Low (-) Low (-) mitigation Theme Visual Integrity Phase Construction Phase Operational Phase “No go” Level of No change in Medium (negative -) Low (negative -) significance status Level of No change in significance with Low (-) Low (-) status mitigation
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Theme Traffic and Road Infrastructure Phase Construction Phase Operational Phase “No go” Level of No change in Medium (negative -) Low (negative -) significance status Level of No change in significance with Low (-) Low (-) status mitigation Theme Existing Infrastructure and Services Phase Construction Phase Operational Phase “No go” Level of No change in Medium (negative -) N/A significance status Level of No change in significance with Low (-) N/A status mitigation Theme Dust and Noise Phase Construction Phase Operational Phase “No go” Level of No change in Medium (negative -) Low (negative -) significance status Level of No change in significance with Low (-) Low (-) status mitigation Theme Employment Opportunities Phase Construction Phase Operational Phase “No go” Level of No change in Low (positive +) Low (positive +) significance status Level of No change in significance with Low (+) Low (+) status mitigation Theme Public Health, Safety and Security Phase Construction Phase Operational Phase “No go” Level of No change in Low (negative -) Low (negative -) significance status Level of No change in significance with Very Low (-) Very Low (-) status mitigation Theme Water Resources Phase Construction Phase Operational Phase “No go” N/A Medium (negative -) Medium (negative -) Level of significance with N/A Low (positive +) Medium (-) mitigation Theme Waste Management Phase Construction Phase Operational Phase “No go” Level of No change in Medium (negative -) Low (negative -) significance status Level of No change in significance with Low (-) Very Low (-) status mitigation
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REASONED OPINION
The EAP is of the opinion that the EIA and associated PPP for the proposed Kei Road WTW and Conveyance fulfil the process requirements of the NEMA, specifically the EIA Regulations of 2010 and the principles of Section 2 of the NEMA.
The assessment of the issues identified in the Scoping Report or as raised by I&APs, and considered in greater detail in the EIA Report with its related specialists studies, indicated that the significance of potential impacts associated with the proposed development can be reduced to a “low”/”very low” significance, if the recommended mitigation measures are implemented.
The EAP is of the opinion that the proposed Kei Road WTW and Conveyance should be authorised.
Conditions of the environmental authorisation should include the following:
1) Implementation of mitigation measures in the draft Site-Specific EMPr, 2) The appointment of an independent Environmental Control Officer (ECO) by the BCMM, a full time Environmental Officer (EO) and a full-time Health and Safety Officer (HSO) by the Contractor to monitor compliance with the draft Site-Specific EMPr. 3) The ECO to undertake an “informal training course” at a museum to ensure knowledge of archaeological and palaeontological artefacts
It is further recommended that construction activities may begin on-site in areas that are not dependent on additional authorisations (e.g. WULA, protected species) once the Environmental Authorisation has been issued.
Upon authorisation, the draft Site-Specific EMPr should also be updated to include specific Environmental Authorisation conditions.
WAY FORWARD
The Draft EIA Report for registered I&APs and Organs of State / State Departments is a 40 day review period, from 9 February to 22 March 2016.
Comments and issues raised during the public review period of the Draft EIA Report will be incorporated in the Final EIA Report. The Final EIA Report will be made available to I&APs and Organs of State / State Departments for a further 21 days.
The Final EIA Report will be submitted to the DEDEAT for the decision making process. Thereafter I&APs will be notified of the Environmental Authorisation (either positive or negative).
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Executive Summary ...... 3
Table of Contents ...... 15
Table of Figures ...... 21
List of Tables ...... 23
List of Abbreviations ...... 26
Chapter 1: Introduction ...... 27
1.1 Background ...... 27
1.2 Applicant ...... 27
1.3 Environmental Assessment Practitioner ...... 28
1.3.1 CEN IEM Unit ...... 28
1.3.2 Details of EAP ...... 28
1.3.3 Project Team ...... 28
1.4 Environmental Authority ...... 28
1.5 Purpose of the Study ...... 29
1.6 Purpose of this Report ...... 29
1.7 Structure of this Report ...... 30
Chapter 2: Description of Proposed Project ...... 31
2.1 Introduction ...... 31
2.2 Need and Desirability ...... 35
2.3 Water Demands and Capacity Requirements ...... 35
2.4 Raw Water Storage Dam ...... 42
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2.4.1 Property and Locality ...... 42
2.4.2 Technical Details ...... 44
2.5 Water Treatment Works ...... 46
2.5.1 Property and Locality ...... 46
2.5.1 Technical Overview...... 46
2.5.2 Treatment ...... 49
2.5.3 Silt Waste ...... 50
2.5.4 Ancillary Facilities and Infrastructure ...... 53
2.5.5 Security ...... 54
2.6 Raw Water Pipeline ...... 54
2.7 Potable Water Pipelines ...... 57
2.7.1 Overview ...... 57
2.7.2 Bhisho (All Saints) Potable Water Pipeline (Pipeline 1A) ...... 58
2.7.3 Berlin Potable Water Pipeline (Pipeline 1B) ...... 62
2.7.4 Rural Connection Pipelines ...... 66
2.8 Rail, Road and Watercourse Crossings ...... 70
2.9 Reservoirs ...... 71
2.10 Access Roads ...... 71
Chapter 3: Legal Framework ...... 73
3.1 National Environmental Management Act ...... 73
3.2 National Environmental Management Waste Act ...... 84
3.3 National Water Act ...... 85
3.4 Minerals and Petroleum Resources Act ...... 86
3.5 National Heritage Resources Act...... 87
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3.6 Legislation Relating to the Protection of Threatened and Protected Species ...... 87
3.7 South African National Roads Agency Limited and National Roads Act ...... 88
3.8 General Overview of Relevant Legislation ...... 89
3.9 Guideline Documents ...... 91
Chapter 4: Description of Affected Environment ...... 92
4.1 Regional and Local Context ...... 92
4.2 Climate ...... 92
4.3 Topography ...... 92
4.4 Geology and Soils ...... 95
4.5 Water Resources / Aquatic Environment ...... 95
4.5.1 Quaternary Catchment and Aquatic Critical Biodiversity Areas . 95
4.5.2 Groundwater ...... 95
4.5.1 Watercourses ...... 95
4.5.2 Wetlands ...... 98
4.6 Ecology / Terrestrial Environment ...... 100
4.6.1 Vegetation ...... 100
4.6.2 Species of Special Concern ...... 106
4.6.3 Protected Areas and Critical Biodiversity Areas ...... 106
4.6.1 Fauna and Avifauna (Birds) ...... 107
4.7 Land Use, Physical Infrastructure and Services ...... 111
4.8 Social and Economic Environment ...... 114
4.8.1 Socio-Demographic Profile ...... 114
4.8.2 Socio-Economic Profile ...... 114
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4.9 Heritage Environment ...... 115
Chapter 5: Methodology ...... 119
5.1 Introduction ...... 119
5.2 Heritage Impact Assessment ...... 119
5.3 Ecological Study ...... 120
5.4 Wetland and Aquatic Assessment...... 121
5.5 Fish Impact Assessment ...... 122
5.6 Impact Assessment Methodology ...... 123
5.6.1 Identification of Impacts ...... 123
5.6.2 Assessment of Impacts ...... 123
5.6.3 Nature and Status ...... 123
5.6.4 Extent ...... 124
5.6.5 Duration ...... 124
5.6.6 Intensity/Magnitude: ...... 124
5.6.7 Probability ...... 125
5.6.8 Significance ...... 125
5.6.9 Mitigating Environmental Effects ...... 127
5.6.10 Degree of Confidence in Predictions ...... 127
5.6.11 Reversibility ...... 127
5.6.12 Replaceability ...... 127
5.6.13 Cumulative ...... 128
5.7 Assumptions, Uncertainties and Gaps in Knowledge ...... 128
5.7.1 EIA Process ...... 128
5.7.2 Public Participation Process ...... 128
5.7.3 Specialist Studies ...... 128
5.8 Environmental Impact Assessment Report ...... 129
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5.9 Environmental Management Programme ...... 130
Chapter 6: Description and Comparative Assessment of Alternatives 131
6.1 Introduction ...... 131
6.2 No-Go Alternative...... 131
6.3 Raw Water Storage Dam Site Alternatives ...... 132
6.4 WTW Site Alternatives ...... 134
6.5 Pipeline Route Alternatives ...... 135
6.6 River Crossing Alternatives ...... 137
6.6.1 KwaNkwebu River – Raw Water Pipeline and Border Post Gravity Main Crossing ...... 137
6.6.2 Yellowwoods River – Bhisho Potable Water Pipeline Crossing 138
6.6.3 Yellowwoods River – Berlin Potable Water Pipeline Crossing .. 138
6.6.4 KwaNkwebu River – Mjali Gravity and Mjali / Nompumelelo Raising Main Pipeline Crossings ...... 139
Chapter 7: Impact Assessment ...... 140
7.1 Impact on Heritage Resources ...... 140
7.1.1 Summary of HIA Findings ...... 140
7.1.2 Summary of HIA Recommendations ...... 141
7.1.3 Buildings and Sites of a Historic Nature ...... 142
7.1.4 Graves and Burial Sites ...... 145
7.1.5 Paleontological Sites ...... 148
7.2 Impact on Terrestrial Biodiversity ...... 151
7.2.1 Summary of Ecological Findings ...... 151
7.2.2 Summary of Ecological Recommendations ...... 152
7.2.3 Terrestrial Vegetation ...... 153
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7.2.4 Avifauna and Terrestrial Fauna ...... 155
7.3 Impact on Aquatic Biodiversity ...... 157
7.3.1 Summary of Aquatic Findings ...... 157
7.3.2 Summary of Aquatic Recommendations ...... 158
7.3.3 Potential Loss of Wetland or Riparian Habitat ...... 161
7.3.4 Sedimentation and Elevated Turbidity in Riparian Zone ...... 168
7.3.5 Water Quality ...... 171
7.4 Impact on Agricultural Land and Soils ...... 173
7.5 Impact on Visual Integrity ...... 174
7.6 Impact on Traffic and Road Infrastructure ...... 176
7.7 Impacts on Existing Infrastructure and Services ...... 177
7.8 Nuisance Impacts: Dust and Noise ...... 178
7.9 Impact on Employment Opportunities ...... 179
7.10 Public Health, Safety and Security Impacts ...... 180
7.11 Impact on the Provision of Water Resources ...... 183
7.12 Waste Management...... 184
Chapter 8: Public Participation Process ...... 187
8.1 Public Participation in the EIA Phase ...... 187
8.2 EIA Phase Programme ...... 187
8.3 Notifications ...... 188
8.3.1 Announcement of the Project ...... 188
8.3.2 Draft and Final Scoping Report Review Periods ...... 188
8.3.3 Draft and Final EIA Report Review Period ...... 192
8.4 Interested and Affected Parties Database ...... 193
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8.5 Focus Group Meetings ...... 194
8.6 Comments and Response ...... 194
Chapter 9: Environmental Impact Statement and Reasoned Opinion 230
9.1 Environmental Impact Statement ...... 230
9.2 Reasoned Opinion ...... 234
Chapter 10: Reference List ...... 236
Appendix A: Curricula Vitae ...... 238
Appendix B: Correspondence from DEDEAT ...... 239
Appendix C: Public Participation ...... 240
Appendix D: Heritage Impact Assessment Report ...... 241
Appendix E: Ecological Report ...... 242
Appendix F: Wetland and Aquatic Report ...... 243
Appendix G: Fish Report ...... 244
Appendix H: Environmental Management Programme ...... 245
Appendix I: Preliminary Design Drawings ...... 246
Appendix J: Preliminary Design Report ...... 247
Appendix K: Revised Raw Water Storage Dam Concept Technical Memorandum ...... 248
TABLE OF FIGURES
Figure 2-1: Locality Map ...... 34
Figure 2-2: Proposed Raw Water Dam ...... 42
Figure 2-3: Proposed WTW & Raw Water Dam Area ...... 43
Figure 2-4: Proposed WTW Layout ...... 46
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Figure 2-5: Block Flow Diagram of Proposed Treatment Process ...... 48
Figure 2-6: Proposed Raw Water Pipeline Route ...... 56
Figure 2-7: Overview of Bhisho Potable Water Pipeline Route ...... 61
Figure 2-8: Overview of Berlin Potable Water Pipeline Route...... 65
Figure 2-9: Rural Connection Pipelines & Interim Optional Infrastructure .. 69
Figure 4-1: Locality Map ...... 93
Figure 4-2: Topography and Geology ...... 94
Figure 4-3: Water Resource / Aquatic Environment ...... 96
Figure 4-4: Non-Perennial Tributary of Henyane River ...... 97 Figure 4-5: Yellowwoods River at the Hanover / Lonsdale Bridge (facing north) ...... 98 Figure 4-6: Yellowwoods River at the Hanover / Lonsdale Bridge (facing south west) ...... 98
Figure 4-7: Example of a Stock Watering Dam ...... 99 Figure 4-8: Potential Wetland within the overall area for the Proposed WTW & Raw Water Storage Dam ...... 99
Figure 4-9: Terrestrial Environment: Vegetation and Ecosystem Status ... 101
Figure 4-10: General View of Vegetation at the Raw Water Dam Site ...... 105
Figure 4-11: General View of Vegetation at the WTW Site ...... 105
Figure 4-12: General View of Vegetation along the Berlin Gravel Road .... 106
Figure 4-13: General View of Vegetation along the Berlin Gravel Road .... 106
Figure 4-14: Terrestrial Environment: Protected Areas & CBAs ...... 108
Figure 4-15: Important Bird Areas ...... 109
Figure 4-16: Bhisho / All Saints Reservoirs ...... 112
Figure 4-17: Berlin Reservoirs ...... 112
Figure 4-18: Illegal Dumping along Berlin Gravel Road ...... 112
Figure 4-19: Land Use, Physical Infrastructure and Services ...... 113
Figure 4-20: Lonsdale Bride (Gaigher, 2015) ...... 116
Figure 4-21: Structures at Kings Cross (Gaigher, 2015) ...... 116
Figure 4-22: Graveyard HIA Site 005 (Gaigher, 2015) ...... 116
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Figure 4-23: Potential Single Grave, HIA Site 004 (Gaigher, 2015) ...... 117
Figure 4-24: Heritage Environment ...... 118
Figure 6-1: Alternative Dam Sites ...... 132
Figure 6-2: Alternative WTW Sites ...... 134
Figure 6-3: Bhisho Potable Water Pipeline Alternative Deviation ...... 136
Figure 6-4: Berlin Potable Water Pipeline Alternative Deviation ...... 136
Figure 7-1: Lonsdale Bridge...... 143
Figure 7-2: Kings Cross Structures ...... 144
Figure 7-3: HIA Sites 003 and 004 ...... 146
Figure 7-4: Heritage Sites 005 and 006 ...... 147 Figure 7-5: Raw Water Pipeline & Rural Connection Pipeline Watercourse Crossings ...... 162 Figure 7-6: Watercourse Crossings of Bhisho Potable Water Pipeline & Rural Connection Pipelines ...... 163 Figure 7-7: Bhisho and Berlin Potable Water Pipeline Watercourse Crossings ...... 164
Figure 7-8: Berlin Potable Water Pipeline Watercourse Crossings ...... 165
Figure 8-1: Copy of Newspaper Advertisements ...... 189
Figure 8-2: Site Notices ...... 190
Figure 8-3: Site Notice 1 – Peelton Community Hall ...... 191 Figure 8-4: Site Notices 2 and 3 - Boundary of WTW and Raw Water Dam Site...... 191
Figure 8-5: Site Notice 4 - Berlin Road and R63 Intersection ...... 192
Figure 8-6: Site Notice 5 - Berlin Reservoir Site ...... 192
LIST OF TABLES
Table 0-1: Summary of Impacts ...... 11
Table 1-1: Project Team ...... 28
Table 1-2: Structure of Report ...... 30 Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM
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Table 2-1: Existing Water Storage Capacity ...... 35
Table 2-2: Calculation of Annual Water Requirement ...... 37
Table 2-3: Potential Surplus Yield in Amatole Water System ...... 37
Table 2-4: Scheme Water Requirements ...... 38
Table 2-5: Required Capacities of Scheme Components ...... 39 Table 2-6: Geographic Co-ordinates Raw Water Storage Dam and WTW Site...... 44
Table 2-7: Silt Drying Beds Design ...... 53
Table 2-8: Raw Water Pipeline: Route Description and Geographic Points 55
Table 2-9: Geographic Co-ordinates for Bhisho Potable Water Pipeline ..... 58 Table 2-10: Route Description and Properties for Bhisho Potable Water Pipeline ...... 59
Table 2-11: Geographic Co-ordinates for Berlin Potable Water Pipeline ..... 62 Table 2-12: Route Description and Affected Properties for Berlin Potable Water Pipeline ...... 63
Table 2-13: Rural Connection Pipelines and Interim Option Infrastructure . 67
Table 2-14: Summary of Rail, Road and Watercourse Crossings ...... 70
Table 3-1: NEMA EIA Listed Activities ...... 74
Table 3-2: Waste Activities ...... 85
Table 3-3: NWA Section 21 Activities ...... 86
Table 3-4: Heritage Activities ...... 87
Table 3-5: Summary of Applicable Legislation ...... 89
Table 4-1: List of Reptiles and Amphibians ...... 110
Table 5-1: Extent ...... 124
Table 5-2: Duration ...... 124
Table 5-3: Intensity ...... 125
Table 5-4: Probability ...... 125
Table 5-5: Significance ...... 127 Table 6-1: Advantages (Green & italics) and Disadvantages (Red) – Raw Water Storage Dam Sites ...... 133
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Table 6-2: Advantages (green & italics) and Disadvantages (red) – WTW Sites...... 135
Table 7-1: Assessment of Buildings and Sites of a Historic Nature ...... 144
Table 7-2: Assessment of Graves and Burial Sites ...... 148
Table 7-3: Assessment of Paleontological Sites ...... 149
Table 7-4: Assessment of Terrestrial Vegetation ...... 154
Table 7-5: Assessment of Avifauna and Terrestrial Fauna ...... 156
Table 7-6: Assessment of Potential Loss of Wetland or Riparian Habitat . 167 Table 7-7: Assessment of Sedimentation and Elevated Turbidity in Riparian Zone ...... 170
Table 7-8: Assessment of Water Quality ...... 172
Table 7-9: Assessment of Agricultural Land and Soils ...... 173
Table 7-10: Assessment of Visual Integrity ...... 175
Table 7-11: Assessment of Traffic and Road Infrastructure ...... 176
Table 7-12: Assessment of Existing Infrastructure and Services ...... 177
Table 7-13: Assessment of Dust and Noise ...... 179
Table 7-14: Assessment of Employment Opportunities ...... 180
Table 7-15: Assessment of Public Health, Safety and Security ...... 181
Table 7-16: Assessment of Provision of Water Resources ...... 183
Table 7-17: Assessment of Waste Management ...... 184
Table 8-1: Key Dates for EIA Process ...... 187
Table 8-2: Interested and Affected Parties Database ...... 193
Table 8-3: Comments / Issues and Response ...... 195
Table 9-1: Summary of Impacts ...... 232
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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
Abbreviation Description AADD Annual Average Daily Demand BCMM Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality BID Background Information Documents CEN IEM Unit CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit DEDEAT Eastern Cape Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism DWS Department of Water and Sanitation EAP Environmental Assessment Practitioner EI Ecological Importance ES Ecological Sensitivity ECPHRA Eastern Cape Provincial Heritage Resource Authority EIA Environmental Impact Assessment EMPr Environmental Management Programme HIA Heritage Impact Assessment I&APs Interested and Affected Parties IDP Integrated Development Plan KWT King Williams Town NECO Nature and Environmental Conservation Ordinance (No 19 of 1974) NFEPA National Freshwater Ecosystems Priority Area NEMA National Environmental Management Act (Act 107 of 1998) NEMBA National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act (Act 10 of 2004) NEM:WA National Environmental Management: Waste Act (Act 59 of 2008) NFA National Forest Act (Act 84 of 1998) NHRA National Heritage Resources Act (Act No. 25 of 1999) NWA National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998) M&PRDA Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (Act 28 of 2002) PES Present Ecological State PPP Public Participation Process S&EIA Scoping and Environmental Impact Assessment SAHRA South African Heritage Resource Agency SDF Spatial Development Framework WTW Water Treatment Works
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Chapter 1
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
The Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) recently completed a water services master plan for the King William’s Town area. A key recommendation of this plan was to develop a regional Water Treatment Works (WTW) in the Kei Road area to meet the growing water demand anticipated for the Bhisho and Berlin areas and to maximise the supply of treated water to the Upper Buffalo Water Supply Scheme. The water would be sourced from the Wriggleswade Transfer Canal and conveyed from there to the Bhisho area. This project seeks to improve the water supply scheme to Bhisho and Berlin, as well as certain rural communities north of Bhisho.
The proposed project is located within the Eastern Cape, extending over the borders of Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality and Amahlati Local Municipality. The proposed route for the water pipelines will be from the Wriggleswade Transfer Canal to the proposed WTW at Border Post, and from the WTW through to Bhisho and Berlin.
The proposed Kei Road WTW and Conveyance comprises activities listed in the National Environmental Management Act (Act 107 of 1998) [NEMA] and National Environmental Management: Waste Act (Act 59 of 2008) [NEM:WA], for which authorisation is required. In terms of the NEMA activities, a Scoping and Environmental Impact Assessment (S&EIA) process is required, as described in the NEMA EIA Regulations in GN 543 of 2010.
1.2 Applicant
The Applicant is the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, Directorate of Engineering Services, Director: Nceba Ncunyona.
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1.3 Environmental Assessment Practitioner
1.3.1 CEN IEM Unit
CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit (CEN IEM Unit) was appointed by Aurecon (Pty) Ltd as the independent Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP) to undertake the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) processes for the proposed Kei Road WTW and Conveyance. CEN IEM Unit meets the requirements for an independent EAP in terms of the EIA Regulations of 18 June 2010 (GN R. 543) and EIA Regulations of 4 December 2014 (GN R 982).
1.3.2 Details of EAP
The report was prepared by Mrs Lucille Behrens, the project-specific EAP. Lucille has 11 years of experience in the environmental management field, has a B.Sc. Honours in Environmental Monitoring and Modelling, and is a member of IAIAsa. Her area of expertise is EIAs and related processes, and as project manager.
All reports are reviewed and approved by Dr Mike Cohen, Director at CEN IEM Unit. Mike has over 30 years of experience, has a D.Sc. in Wildlife Management, is a registered Professional Natural Scientist (PrSciNat), a member of IAIAsa and Institute of Ecologists and Environmental Scientists.
Please refer to Appendix A for the Curricula Vitae.
1.3.3 Project Team
The project team consists of the following members (Table 1-1):
Table 1-1: Project Team Role on the team Company Applicant BCMM Engineering Consultant Aurecon Environmental Consultant / EAP CEN IEM Unit Heritage Specialist GA Heritage Aquatic Biodiversity Specialist Sherman Colloty & Associates Ecologist N.H.G Jacobsen Fish Specialist A Bok & G Brett
1.4 Environmental Authority
The relevant environmental authority is the Eastern Cape Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEDEAT).
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An integrated application for environmental authorisation and waste management licence (for waste management activities triggered in terms of the NEM:WA and an application for the EIA activities triggered in terms of NEMA) was submitted to the DEDEAT on 3 December 2015 (prior to the EIA Regulations, 2014, coming into effect). The application acknowledgment of receipt and DEDEAT reference number (EC/4/A/LN1,LN2,LN3/M/14-35) was received on 13 January 2015.
The Final Scoping Report was submitted to the DEDEAT on 14 July 2015, and accepted on 29 September 2014. Refer to Appendix B for correspondence from the DEDEAT.
1.5 Purpose of the Study
An EIA is a planning and decision-making tool. It identifies potential negative and positive impacts of a proposed project and recommends ways to enhance the positive impacts and minimise the negative ones. The S&EIA will address the impacts associated with the project, and provides an assessment of the project in terms of the biophysical, social and economic environments to assist both the environmental authority and the applicant in making decisions regarding implementation of the proposed project.
An EIA consists of three phases, namely the Scoping Phase, the EIA Phase and the Decision-Making / Authorisation Phase. We are currently in the EIA Phase.
The main purpose of the Scoping Phase was to identify and define the issues that need to be addressed in the EIA Phase. In this regard, inputs from the project team, the authorities and Interested and Affected Parties (I&APs) were considered and integrated into the Final Scoping Report.
The main purpose of the phase at hand, the EIA Phase, is to integrate the findings and present recommendations for the proposed Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance. The draft Environmental Management Programme (EMPr) is also generated during this phase, which takes the findings of the EIA Report and presents these in a series of measurable controls that will serve to mitigate impacts to acceptable levels through the provision of controls for the construction, operation and decommissioning phases of the project’s life cycle. The information provided from the EIA Phase is passed on to the competent authority, DEDEAT, for consideration during the decision-making phase.
1.6 Purpose of this Report
The main purpose of this EIA Report is to:
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a) Describe the proposed activity and nature of the receiving environment in sufficient detail to allow the reader to make an informed decision on the suitability of the project proposal. b) Present a summary of the findings of the specialist studies. c) Consider and assess project alternatives in terms of environmental sensitivity, social and economic feasibility. d) Evaluate significant impacts that were raised during the Scoping phase, including those raised by Interested and Affected Parties. e) Obtain further comments from Interested and Affected Parties on the proposed development. f) Provide recommendations on how the project can be implemented in a way that minimises the negative and maximises the positive impacts.
1.7 Structure of this Report
The EIA Report includes information as required per Section 31 of Government Notice R.543 (of 18 June 2010, NEMA EIA Regulations). The structure of the EIA Report is presented in Table 1-2.
Table 1-2: Structure of Report Description NEMA EIA Chapter Regulations 2010 Introduction and background to the project. Chapter 1 Details of the Applicant, EAP (including expertise) and (2)(a) Appendix A project team. A description of the proposed project, including the need (2)(b), (c) & (f) Chapter 2 and desirability and description of properties Legislation and guidelines that pertain to the project. (2)(r) Chapter 3 A description of the receiving affected environment. (2)(c) & (d) Chapter 4 A summary of the findings and recommendations of the (2)(j) & (q) Chapter 7 specialist studies. Appendix D to G A description of the methodology used to determine (2)(h) Chapter 5 significance ratings. A description and comparative assessment of all project (2)(g) & (i) Chapter 6 alternatives identified. A description of all environmental issues identified and (2)(k) & (l) Chapter 7 an assessment of significance. A description of the EIA process including the PPP, (2)(e) & (m) Chapter 5 and assumptions, uncertainties and gaps in knowledge. 8 A consideration of the draft Environmental Management (2)(p) Chapter 5 Programme, the draft EMPr included in the Addenda. Appendix H Environmental Impact Statement and Reasoned (2)(o) & (n) Chapter 9 Opinion, including a summary of key findings Reference list Chapter 10
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Chapter 2
CHAPTER 2: DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROJECT
2.1 Introduction
The proposed Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance Project seeks to improve the treated drinking water supply to the Upper Buffalo Water Supply Scheme. The project concept was previously identified in the water services master planning conducted by Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM), to meet the growing water demand anticipated for the Bhisho and Berlin areas.
The proposed project is located within the Eastern Cape, extending over the borders of Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, Amathole District Municipality and Amahlati Local Municipality. The proposed route for the water pipelines will be from the Wriggleswade Transfer Canal to the proposed WTW at Border Post, and from the WTW through to Bhisho and Berlin (refer to Figure 2-1).
The proposed water supply scheme would require a treatment capacity of 48 Mℓ/day with an ultimate demand of about 11.62 million m3/annum. The proposed project entails the following, and will be undertaken in three phases:
a) Construction of a new Water Treatment Works (WTW), consisting of three 16Ml/d modules, total capacity is 48 Ml. This will be undertaken in three phases, where each phase consists of 16Ml/day (Phase 1: 16Ml/day, Phase 2: 32Ml/day and Phase 3: 48Ml/day).
b) Silt waste from the backwash recovery tank and the sedimentation tank will be sent to process silt lagoons which will be located downhill from the WTW. Three lagoons will be provided for each phase. The Phase 1 lagoon consists of four compartments, catering to the Phase 1 loading only, with a wet loading period of 3 months per compartment, and a drying period of 9 months. Thus the compartments are sized for a 12 month period, with three-monthly silt removal periods proposed. For Phases 2 and 3, the loading on the silt
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lagoons will be reviewed and the future lagoons will be sized accordingly. It is anticipated that the design for Phase 1 is very conservative and that the lagoon requirements for Phase 2 and Phase 3 will be much less than was allowed for in Phase 1.
c) Construction of a raw water storage dam (in two phases), a total capacity of 609 Ml (in order to meet the DWS requirements for 21 days of storage at AADD, 29 Ml). Initially the dam will be constructed to cater for a capacity of 407Ml (in order to meet a 14 day storage period at Phase 3 AADD, 29Ml/d).
d) Construction of pipeline for supply of raw water from the Kei Road Canal to the proposed WTW.
e) Construction of bulk potable water pipelines from the WTW to Bhisho and Berlin.
f) Pipeline diameters will be in the order of between 315mm and 700mm. Installation will be below ground and traverse farm land, water courses, rural villages and national roads.
g) Construction of a potable water reservoir, 4 Ml capacity, at ground level and two 450 kl elevated tanks at Berlin.
The proposed project has been expanded to include the following in order to connect to existing rural water supply networks:
Option A: Nompumelelo Reservoir via Mjali Borehole
a) A proposed 350mm ND, 780m long gravity pipeline from the proposed potable bulk pipeline, to the Mjali borehole, where it will be fed into an existing rising main that leads to Mjali, to feed the BCMM rural areas (Mjali, Tukayi, Phantsikwa Train, Empgengepenge, Drayini, Village, Nkqonkqweni, Sixekweni). Upgrades to the existing Mjali borehole pump may be required, as well as the construction of a pump sump structure.
b) A new 3Ml reservoir (with a fenced area of 0.36ha) will have to be constructed at the site of the current Mjali reservoir, to feed the BCMM rural areas such as Mjali, Tukayi, Phantsikwa Train, Empgengepenge, Drayini, Village, Nkqonkqweni, and Sixekweni.
c) A proposed 400mm ND, 1700m long rising main from the Mjali borehole to the Nompumelelo reservoir, to feed ADM rural areas as well as BCMM rural areas such as Peelton.
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d) A proposed new 6Ml reservoir (0.64ha) at the Nompumelelo reservoir site, in order to provide water to the ADM rural areas as well as BCMM rural areas (Peelton/Mdange).
e) A proposed offtake position for the supply of potable water to BCMM rural areas at Hanover, including a 110mm DN pipe from the potable bulk pipeline to a proposed new storage reservoir.
f) A proposed new 600kl storage reservoir (approximately 100m2) at Hanover.
g) A proposed offtake position for the supply of potable water to BCMM rural areas at Kings Cross. No additional supply pipelines will be included.
Option B: Border Post BPT via Border Post WTW Pump Station
a) The construction of a pump station at the Border Post WTW.
b) A proposed 400mm DN, 1600m long rising main from the Border Post WTW pump station to the Border Post Break Pressure Tank (BPT).
c) A 6Ml reservoir (0.64ha) at the Border Post Break Pressure Tank site, adjacent to the current BPT (existing 500kl Border Post reservoir).
d) A 50kl Break Pressure Tank, to feed a gravity main to Mjali
e) A splitting chamber to split the water from the rising main between the 6Ml reservoir and the 50kl Break Pressure Tank
f) A proposed 250mm DN, 4400m long gravity main from the new Border Post BPT to the Mjali reservoir, to feed the Mjali area.
g) A new 3Ml reservoir (0.36ha) will have to be constructed at the site of the current Mjali reservoir, to feed the BCMM rural areas such as Mjali, Tukayi, Phantsikwa Train, Empgengepenge, Drayini, Village, Nkqonkqweni, Sixekweni
h) Peelton, Nompumelelo and the ADM rural areas will be fed from the Border Post reservoir via the existing water network.
i) A proposed offtake position for the supply of potable water to BCMM rural areas at Hanover, including a 110mm DN pipe from the potable water pipeline to a proposed new storage reservoir.
j) A proposed new 600kl storage reservoir (approximately 100m2) at Hanover.
k) A proposed offtake position for the supply of potable water to BCMM rural areas at Kings Cross. No additional supply pipelines will be included.
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Figure 2-1: Locality Map
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2.2 Need and Desirability
Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality recently completed a water services master plan for the King William’s Town area. A key recommendation of this plan was to develop a regional Water Treatment Works in the Kei Road area to meet the growing water demand anticipated for the Bhisho and Berlin areas and to maximise the supply of treated water to the Upper Buffalo Water Supply Scheme. The water would be sourced from the Wriggleswade Transfer Canal and conveyed from there to the Bhisho area. This project seeks to improve the water supply scheme to Bhisho and Berlin, as well as certain rural communities north of Bhisho (Aurecon, 2014).
The proposed Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance Project (Water Supply Scheme) is identified in the Integrated Development Plan [IDP], 2014 and the Water Services Development Plan. The IDP (2014) identifies the King Williams Town / Bhisho area as a Priority Area, where the BCMM needs to ensure sufficient bulk infrastructure is available to support the initiative of consolidating Bhisho as the Administrative Capital of the Eastern Cape. An additional objective that will be met in the IDP through the Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance Project is the provision of high quality water drinking water in the BCMM and to ensure universal access to potable water (IDP, 2014).
According to the Buffalo City Spatial Development Framework [SDF], 2003/2004, the proposed Kei Road WTW, raw water dams and the majority of the pipeline routes are located outside of the BCMM urban edge. A small portion of the proposed pipeline routes traverse within urban edge areas. The proposed raw water pipeline, WTW and raw water dam site, as well as the northern portion of the potable water pipeline route are located on a Planned Rural Development Zone. The potable water pipeline route further traverses across ‘designed and proposed protected areas’, ‘conservancy network – STEP / Limited Agriculture’, settlements and ‘other agricultural’ areas.
2.3 Water Demands and Capacity Requirements
The existing All Saints / Bhisho Reservoirs have a storage capacity of 21.55 Ml. The existing Berlin Low-level Reservoirs have a storage capacity of 6.8 Ml, while the Berlin High-level reservoirs have a capacity of 900kl. The breakdown of the existing storage capacities are provided in Table 2-1 (Aurecon, 2015a). The existing Border Post reservoir has a storage capacity of 500kl and the existing Nompumelelo reservoir has a storage capacity of 75kl (Aurecon, 2015b).
Table 2-1: Existing Water Storage Capacity
Reservoir Name Capacity Top Water Area of Supply Level All Saints 1 1.05 Ml RL 576.5m College, hospital, Scobeni All Saints 2 20.5 Ml RL 576.5m Bhisho
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Reservoir Name Capacity Top Water Area of Supply Level TOTAL All Saints 21.55 Ml Berlin LL Reservoir 6.8 Ml RL 541.5m Berlin – low level zone Berlin HLl 2 x 0.45 Ml RL 562.5m Berlin – high level zone Reservoirs TOTAL Berlin 7.7 Ml
The design requirements in terms of water demand projections and water supply resources for the scheme were derived by the BCMM’s master planning processes. In particular, the results of the King Williams Town Water Master Plan informed the feasibility study which was undertaken. These Water Master Plans already allowed for an integrated approach of all resources (Aurecon, 2015a).
A feasibility study was undertaken in 2013 where technically feasible solutions were developed and analysed for cost effectiveness, together with potential impacts on institutional, land ownership, environmental and social aspects (Aurecon, 2014). Water resource planning was also addressed in the Aurecon Feasibility Report. Various stakeholders were engaged during the feasibility study, options analysis as well as the Amathole Water Supply Scheme Reconciliation Strategy (AWSSRS) presentation, during which Amatola Water was present and DWS indicated their support of the project. At this meeting the BCMM and ADM was also present and no party requested that the integrated water resource planning, which extends beyond the scope of this project, must be addressed within the context of this project (Aurecon, 2015a).
The feasibility study further found that the scheme size needed a Water Treatment Works capacity of 48 Ml/day with an ultimate demand of about 11.62 million m3/annum. It was also found that the Wriggleswade Dam (with a 91.5 million m³ full storage capacity) would be able to cater for this demand, even if Ecological Water Reserve requirements were implemented on the dam (Aurecon, 2014).
Based on the calculations from the Water Master Plan, plus the additional BCMM and ADM rural community demands, the estimated annual future water requirement from the Wriggleswade Dam will be 16.17 million m³/a. Of that, 4.51 million m³/a will be supplied from the Nahoon WTW and 1.095 million m³/a from the existing Kei Road WTW, allowing for 10% losses in treatment. The resulting annual requirement would be 11.62 million m³ from the proposed Kei Road WTW, as shown in the Table 2-2 (Aurecon, 2015a).
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Table 2-2: Calculation of Annual Water Requirement
A Water Use Licence Application (WULA) for abstraction of 11.62 million m³ from Wriggleswade dam has been made to the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) by Aurecon. The DWS has confirmed via email correspondence to Aurecon that there is sufficient capacity in the Wriggleswade Dam to provide the volume of water to BCMM which was applied for (Aurecon, 2015a).
The Wriggleswade Dam has a yield of 31.80 million m3/a (98% level of assurance). The Gubu Dam has a yield of 2.87 million m3/a, and is located upstream of Wriggleswade Dam. The implementation of Environmental Water Requirements (EWR) on Gubu and Wriggleswade Dams would reduce the yield by about 8.3 million m3/a. The current usage, based on 2012, on the Gubu and Wriggleswade Dams amounted to about 14 million m3/a (derived from historic usage charts). The Laing Dam does not have spare capacity after EWR is taken into consideration, refer to Table 2-3) (Aurecon, 2015a).
Table 2-3: Potential Surplus Yield in Amatole Water System Surplus Potential Surplus Long Term Historic after Historic Current Water Impact of after EWR Dam Yield Usage Historic Yield Requirements EWR on and Historic (1:50) (2012) Usage (no Yield Usage EWR) million m3 million m3 million m3 million m3 million m3 million m3 million m3
Gubu 2.87 3.7 6.48 -0.76 14 20.67 12.37 Wriggleswade 31.80 27.3 4.64 -7.54 Maden 0.48 0.13 n/a 4.82 Rooikrantz 3.70 3.8 15 7.45 -1.9 -1.23 Laing 18.27 17.7 11.9 -6.3 Bridle Drift 29.41 30.6 44.1 1.2 55 -17.18 -20.78 Nahoon 8.41 5.7 13.56 -4.8
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The current allocations for Gubu and Wriggleswade Dams include (Aurecon, 2015a):
a) 0.44 million m3/a (1.2Ml/d) for Stutterheim WTW (abstracting downstream of Gubu Dam) according to the Amathole System Operational Analysis of 2011. However, the Amathole District Municipality’s Water Services Master Plan and the Amatola Reconciliation Strategy note that the Stutterheim WTW has a capacity of 3 Ml/d, with an annual demand of about 1.1 million m3; b) 1.64 million m3/a for Kei Road WTW (4.5Ml/d, abstracting from Wriggleswade canal); c) 0.783 million m3/a for Gubu Dam compensation water irrigation; d) 3.0 million m3/a for Wriggleswade Dam compensation water irrigation, and; e) 5.26 million m3/a run of river abstractions between Gubu and Wriggleswade Dams.
The total water allocated equals to 11.8 million m3/a, which is less than the actual 2012 usage. Based on the 2012 actual usage, Wriggleswade Dam appears to have a surplus yield of 12.4 million m3/a (after deduction of the EWR). Thus, even when using the most conservative estimate, there is sufficient surplus yield available from Wriggleswade Dam for supply to the proposed project area (Aurecon, 2015a).
The urban water demand projections which form the basis of the design requirements for the scheme were derived by BCMM’s mater planning processes. In particular, the results of the King Williams Town Water Master Plan informed the feasibility study which was undertaken. The rural water demand projections for the scheme was derived in the feasibility study, undertaken by Aurecon in 2013, and were based on a household demand of 750 l/day. The future average annual seasonal peak water demands determined for the supply areas by the feasibility study are summarised in Table 2-4, together with the required water capacity for the scheme (Aurecon, 2014).
Table 2-4: Scheme Water Requirements Demand Estimated Seasonal Other Other Scheme Area AADD (kl/d) Peak Resources Resources Peak Demand (kl/d) (Remarks) Demand (kl/d) (kl/d) BCMM Rural 2 910 4 802 282 Existing 4 519 Area (north BCMM rural of Bisho) supply ADM Kei 5 591 9 226 4 500 Existing Kei 4 726 Road RWSS Road WTW BCMM 11 530 19 024 0 Shortfall from 19 024 Bhisho KWT Master Urban Area Plan BCMM Berlin Urban Area: Berlin 4 324 7 135 0 Current 7 135 resources to be utilised
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Demand Estimated Seasonal Other Other Scheme Area AADD (kl/d) Peak Resources Resources Peak Demand (kl/d) (Remarks) Demand (kl/d) (kl/d) elsewhere Ilitha, Lone 3 072 5 069 0 Current 5 069 Tree, resources to Panning be utilised elsewhere Dam Spot 16 879 27 851 20 400 Nahoon 7 451 WTW (future extensions) TOTAL 47 924
Based on the above, the following components, sizes or capacities were identified in Table 2-5 by Aurecon (2014) and revised in 2015 (Aurecon, 2015b).
Table 2-5: Required Capacities of Scheme Components Component Required Capacity Remarks Raw water storage 610 Ml To allow for transfer canal maintenance (21 days storage of AADD = 21 x 29 Ml) Water Treatment Works 48 Ml/d Modular type design: 3 x 16 Ml/d Raw Water Pipeline (canal to 667 l/s Minimum capacity required: 48Ml/d x 1.2 = raw water storage dams) 57.6Ml/d (24hour operation). Border Post-All Saints Varies: Flow varies due to off-takes: Pipeline 579 l/s o ADM Rural and Zone 1 BCMM Rural fed 546 l/s from WTW 273 l/s o Zone 2 BCMM Rural off-take (3km from WTW) o Zone 3 BCMM Rural off-take & Berlin off- take (10km from WTW) Berlin Connector Pipeline 273 l/s Two off take positions proposed at Hanover and Kings Cross. No additional supply pipelines will be included. All Saints – New Reservoir(s) Not required Existing reservoirs have 56.3 hours storage of future AADD (min. 36 hours required) Berlin – New Low Level 4.0 Ml Existing reservoirs have 22.9 hours storage of Reservoir future AADD (min. 36 hours required) Berlin – New High Level 900 kl Existing reservoirs have 2.0 hours storage of Reservoir future High Level Zone Peak Demand (min. 4 hours required). Allow for 2 x 450 kl reinforced concrete towers. Ilitha Reservoir Not required Existing reservoirs have 80.8 hours storage of future AADD (min. 36 hours required) Lonetree Reservoir Not required Existing reservoirs have 99 hours storage of future AADD (min. 36 hours required) Panning Reservoir Not required Existing reservoirs have 50.4 hours storage of future AADD (min. 36 hours required) Damspot Reservoirs Not allowed Planning and sizing to be done at future stage for taking into consideration future Nahoon WTP supply (existing reservoirs have 66.7 hours storage of current AADD) Rural Area (ADM & BCMM) – As indicated Proposed 400mm ND gravity pipeline to the Connecting pipelines and in adjacent Mjali borehole to feed the BCMM rural areas
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Component Required Capacity Remarks new reservoirs column such as Mjali. Proposed 350mm dia rising main from the Mjali borehole to the Nompumelelo reservoir, to feed ADM rural areas as well as BCMM rural areas such as Peelton. Proposed New 3 Ml reservoir at the Nompumelelo reservoir site, in order to provide water to the ADM rural areas as well as BCMM rural areas (Peelton). Proposed 315mm ND gravity main from Nompumelelo reservoir to Bulk Clearwater line, to supply water from the existing Kei Road WTW to the All Saints reservoir as a part of the interim solution. Proposed 450mm ND gravity main from Border Post reservoir to Bulk Clearwater line, to supply water from the existing Kei Road WTW to the All Saints reservoir as a part of the interim solution. This pipeline could possibly also be used as a rising main to supply water to ADM rural areas in the long term, once the interim option scenario has passed. Proposed 6Ml reservoir north of the Border Post WTW (at the site of the existing 500kl Border Post reservoir) to receive water from the existing Kei Road WTW to the All Saints reservoir.
During the studies undertaken by Aurecon it was determined that the All Saints / Bhisho Reservoirs have sufficient storage capacity and no new reservoirs are required as the All Saints / Bhisho Reservoirs have 56.3 hours storage of future Annual Average Daily Demand (AADD), a minimum of 36 hours storage is required. The proposed low-level reservoir (providing an additional 4Ml) at the Berlin Reservoirs is due to the existing reservoirs having a 22.0 hours storage of future AADD, a minimum of 36 hours is required. The proposed elevated reservoirs (providing an additional 2 x 450kl) is due to the existing elevated tanks only having a 2 hour storage of future High Level Zone Peak Demand, a minimum of 4 hours is required. The additional reservoirs are proposed in order to ensure that the minimum storage capacity is met (Aurecon, 2015a).
The water supply system is to meet the following design requirements (Aurecon, 2015a):
a) Daily, weekly and seasonal fluctuations in consumer demands means that at any point in time the actual flow requirement is not equivalent (necessarily) to the average demand (expressed as the Average Annual Daily Demand (AADD), i.e. the total annual demand divided by the number of days in the year). b) The norm for bulk water supply systems is that a peak factor of about 1.5 is multiplied to the AADD to determine the peak period demands which need to be
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sustained by the infrastructure during that period. Thus the 48 Mℓ/d capacity requirement is for the high demand period of the year. c) The raw water pipeline was sized to be capable of having a 20% higher hydraulic capability than the peak output from the water treatment works. This higher capacity is to ensure that: i. Treatment losses are catered for (about 2% to 3% of the production flow rate), but will be sought to be mitigated further by means of backwash water recovery system. ii. Evaporation losses from the raw water dam(s) are estimated to be less than 1% of the annual consumption. iii. The raw water storage dams must be capable of being refilled while water is being simultaneously supplied to the water treatment works during a peak demand period. This type of scenario can be expected after raw water supply interruptions (e.g. possible canal maintenance/repairs, or raw water pipeline maintenance/repairs), i.e. after the dam water levels have been drawn down. To do this, the supply hydraulic capacity must exceed the demand by a fair margin. In a worst case scenario, a 20% margin above peak demand means that completely depleted raw water storage dams (with a volume equal to 21 days of AADD) would be refilled within about 52 days during a peak demand period. iv. The minimum design capacity of 57.6 Ml/d was used to determine the required internal pipe diameter for the raw water supply pipeline. Calculations showed that the smallest standard pipe diameter available to meet this minimum flow requirement was DN 700. The actual capacity of the DN 700 pipeline, however is about 69Ml/d, because its internal diameter is larger than the theoretical diameter needed to meet the exact flow rate. (For comparison a DN 600 pipeline would result in a capacity of 47.9 Ml/d). v. NB: The final installed pipeline’s capacity will be heavily influenced by the final pipeline route, pipe material selections, and river crossing methodology utilised. Hence, the 69Ml/d capacity is only indicative at this stage, and is likely to change. If major changes to the pipeline route or pipe materials choices are required, the final diameter may need revision. However, in all cases, the design objective remains to ensure a minimum flow rate of 57.6 Ml/d. vi. Even though this pipe has a higher capacity than theoretically needed, it is not the intention of this project to make constant use of this capacity. The pipeline will probably only be operated close to its full capacity during storage dam filling operations (ie. after the pipeline has not been in operation for a number of days or weeks). In other times (i.e. normal operations) its flow requirements will be in proportion to the treatment flow rates (i.e. as they vary throughout the year). This would typically be controlled by means of valves on the supply pipeline at the treatment works. Hence, the water supplied through the raw water pipeline over a year will be in proportion to the year’s treatment flow rates (i.e. after taking the various types of losses into account).
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vii. On this basis, the ultimate annual requirement would be about 29Ml/d x 1.03 (treatment losses) x 365 d/annum x 1.01 (dam evaporation) = 11.01 million m³/annum. The annual water requirement was estimated at 11.62 million m³/annum for the Preliminary Design Report and was based on a more conservative estimate of the treatment losses (ie. at about 10%). It is considered prudent at this stage leave the application’s annual water requirement unchanged.
The proposed WTW capacity is as follows: The Average Annual Daily Demand (AADD) (2035) is 29 Ml/day; and for the Peak Demand (2035) is 48 Ml/day (Aurecon, 2015a).
2.4 Raw Water Storage Dam
2.4.1 Property and Locality
The proposed site for the raw water storage dam is located on property that is not registered or surveyed; and formed part of the old Transkei area; and falls within the BCMM, Ward 43. The proposed raw water storage dam is located at 33° 43′ 16″S 27° 30′ 56″E. Refer to Figure 2-2.
Figure 2-2: Proposed Raw Water Dam
The geographic co-ordinates for the overall raw water storage dam and WTW site are presented in Table 2-6, and reflected on Figure 2-3.
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Figure 2-3: Proposed WTW & Raw Water Dam Area
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Table 2-6: Geographic Co-ordinates Raw Water Storage Dam and WTW Site Latitude Longitude Point (Degrees Minutes Seconds) (Degrees Minutes Seconds) A 32° 42′ 59.09″ S 27° 30′ 54.18″ E B 32° 43′ 01.58″ S 27° 31′ 02.89″ E C 32° 43′ 16.41″ S 27° 31′ 03.44″ E D 32° 43′ 38.00″ S 27° 30′ 37.43″ E E 32° 43′ 49.26″ S 27° 30′ 21.95″ E F 32° 43′ 43.19″ S 27° 30′ 11.40″ E G 32° 43′ 40.48″ S 27° 30′ 11.88″ E
2.4.2 Technical Details
The dam design has been revised to increase the dam storage to a total capacity of 609Ml in order to meet the DWS requirements for 21 days of storage at AADD, i.e. 29Ml. Initially the dam will be constructed to cater for a capacity of 407 Ml (in order to meet a 14 day storage period at AADD). The initial size of 407 Ml is sufficient to provide the required three week storage during the WTW Phases 1 and 2 (16ML/day and 32 Ml/day, respectively). At the WTW’s Phase 3 capacity (48 Ml/day), the dam will only be able to provide 2 weeks of storage. If it is seen during Phases 1 and 2 that the requirement for a three week storage is a reality (based on maintenance performed on the transfer canal), the raw water storage dams will be timeously enlarged to a capacity of 609 Ml for the Phase 3 scenario. (Aurecon, 2015b). The dam will be constructed in 2 phases. The height of the dam wall will be 9m, and in Phase 2 to be 11m, and the dam will cover an area of approximately 15ha.
The proposed dams are off-channel dams located on an upper hill slope, with a conventional earthfill embankment (general fill) and a central clay core. Finer materials making up the general fill would be placed closer to the core and the coarser particles would be placed further away. A sand chimney filter would be provided just downstream of the clay core with a sand blanket drain and a rock toe to form the internal drainage system. Rip-rap will be required on the upstream face for erosion protection and top-soil with grass on the downstream face. The embankment slope will be a 1V:2H slope for the downstream face and a 1V:3H slope for the upstream face (Aurecon, 2014).
The catchment area for the raw water storage dam is approximately 20ha, and inflow via the canal and raw water gravity pipeline is approximately 0.8m3/s. The spillway (approximately 3m wide) would be an excavated vegetated channel with a concrete apron and sill with gabions on either side, if necessary, to prevent erosion at the wall. Where steeper sections along the channel require more erosion protection, gabions may be installed. The 1:100 year event was taken for the design flood of the dam, with the Probable Maximum Flood (PMF x 0.5) taken as the Safety Evaluation Flood (SEF). The spillway and its discharge channel are designed to pass the design flood.
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The design flood and the SEF have been evaluated for the dam in a worst case scenario. Such a scenario involves the occurrence of the flood in question whilst the gravity feed is actively discharging into the dam even though the dam is already full. The maximum spillway capacity (with zero freeboard) for both the Phase 1 and 2 dams is 8.3m3/s. (Aurecon, 2016).
The proposed 1000 mm diameter reinforced concrete encased welded steel outlet pipe has been sized for the eventual demand and will be constructed to the length necessary. The outlet works will be provided with variable level draw off so that optimum water quality can be abstracted by extending the outlet pipe on the upstream slope with two inlet sieves each at different levels. The outlet pipe has been sized on the supply of 48 Mℓ/day plus 20% for hydraulic overload of the WTW (Aurecon, 2014).
Considering the water supply is from an existing storage dam via a canal and pipeline, the sediment load is expected to be very limited. The Wriggleswade Dam is already acting as a sedimentation basin. The proposed raw water storage dams would also provide for some storage for sedimentation. The Wriggleswade Transfer Canal has a stormwater berm all along the upstream side of the canal in order to divert stormwater and avoid significant volumes of sediment entering the water (Aurecon, 2015a).
The raw water storage dams have been sized for 21 days storage of a demand close to AADD (i.e. 29Ml/day), on the assumption that canal maintenance could be arranged to be performed during off-peak periods of low water demand. However, there is the risk that unplanned maintenance is required during the periods of peak flow. In this scenario, the water storage in the raw water storage dam would not be enough to provide water for the entire canal maintenance period and water restrictions would have to be implemented. Typical water restrictions could include:
a) Water cartage from elsewhere b) Reducing non-essential water uses (e.g. Landscaping) c) Imposing low-flow scenarios in the water reticulation through artificial reduction in pressure
The proposed dams have not been officially classified but would likely be classified as a Category II, being of “medium” size with a “low” hazard rating. The dam safety license application (to the DWS) will be compiled for the full size dam stating that the dam will be constructed in phases (Aurecon, 2015a).
Safety and security measures around the dams would include fencing and additional consideration will be given to escape ropes/buoys in the dam (Aurecon, 2015a). The
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placement of the proposed raw water dams is located further than 20m from the R63 road reserve.
Please note the Revised Raw Water Storage Dam Concept Technical Memorandum (Appendix K) has replaced the Balancing and Emergency Storag Dam: Preliminary Design Report in Appendix J.
2.5 Water Treatment Works
2.5.1 Property and Locality
The proposed site for the WTW is located on property that is not registered or surveyed; and formed part of the old Transkei area; and falls within the BCMM, Ward 43. The proposed Water Treatment Works (WTW) site is located at the approximate coordinates of 32° 43' 33.77"S and 27° 30' 36.80"E. Refer to Figure 2-4.
Figure 2-4: Proposed WTW Layout
The geographic co-ordinates for the overall raw water dam and WTW site are presented in Table 2-6, and reflected on Figure 2-3.
2.5.1 Technical Overview
The proposed WTW will receive water from the proposed raw water storage dam that will be constructed within close proximity of the works. The WTW will be designed
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with a treatment capacity of 16 Mℓ/day upgradable to 32Mℓ/day and 48 Mℓ/day in phases (i.e. each phase will increase treatment capacity by 16Ml/day). The quality of discharged water, from the WTW, will be similar to the raw water which will be treated. From the available water data it does not seem that the fluctuations in the raw water quality are seasonal and it will most likely vary within the different water levels of the proposed dam. The proposed dam will act as a settling basin and will accumulate settleable solids closer to the bottom. The proposed design should therefore be able to accommodate a wide range of water qualities to ensure compliance with applicable legislative parameters. Consideration is therefore required, but not limited to the turbidity, pH, Iron, Suspended Solids, Organic Material, Algae and Coliform Bacteria (Aurecon, 2014).
The proposed treatment scheme for delivering potable water to the SANS 241 (2011) Class 1 quality standard is represented in Figure 2-4 (Aurecon, 2014).
The placement of the proposed WTW would be located outside of the building restriction area of the R63, including the future re-alignment of the R63.
The anticipated discharges emanating from the WTW are as follows (Aurecon, 2015a):
a) Domestic wastewater generated on the site will either be conveyed to the nearest sewer network, currently implemented by another service provider, otherwise if this sewerage will not be implemented in time, a conservancy tank with soakaway will be provided in the interim. b) Backwash water from the filters will be recycled to the head of the works. c) Process water from the sedimentation tanks will collect in processed silt lagoons.
The proposed WTW capacity is as follows: The Average Annual Daily Demand (AADD) (2035) is 29 Ml/day; and for the Peak Demand (2035) is 48 Ml/day (Aurecon, 2015a).
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Figure 2-5: Block Flow Diagram of Proposed Treatment Process
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2.5.2 Treatment
The intake structure will allow for equal flow distribution between the initial phase and the envisaged future upgrades. The intake works will also be designed to provide for flow measurement and control, pH measurement and control, as well as adequate flash mixing of dosed chemicals, and to facilitate aeration of the raw water to oxidise manganese and/or iron should they become problematic in the future. The flow shall be routed to the flocculation tanks to allow for proper floc formation prior to the sedimentation stage (Aurecon, 2014).
Coagulation is a process for increasing the tendency of small particles in an aqueous suspension to attach to one another and to attach to surfaces such as the grains in a filter bed. It is also used to influence the removal of certain soluble materials by adsorption or precipitation. The coagulation process typically involves promoting the interaction of particles to form larger aggregates. It is an essential component of conventional water treatment systems in which the processes of coagulation, sedimentation, filtration and disinfection are combined to clarify the water and remove inactive microbiological contaminants such as viruses, bacteria and the cysts and oocytes of pathogenic protozoa. Although the removal of microbiological contaminants continues to be an important reason for using coagulation, a newer objective, the removal of natural organic material (NOM) to reduce the formation of disinfection by-products, is growing in importance (Aurecon, 2014).
The plant will be designed with the flexibility to use hydrolysing metal salts (like alum) or pre-hydrolysed metal salt (PHMS) (e.g. PACℓ). In order to provide greater flexibility at a variety of flows mechanical mixers for flocculation are to be provided in preference to horizontal baffled flocculation. A conventional low rate sedimentation tank has been incorporated into the design, this unit can be upgraded in the future by the installation of lamella plates to cater for an increased demand. The proposed filtration process is Proportional Level Declining Rate (PLDR) rapid gravity sand filters. These filters require relatively low operational and maintenance input. The top of the media layer of these filters is exposed and as such they allow for easy visual inspections by the operators (Aurecon, 2014).
Disinfection with chlorine is recommended. For an applied maximum dosing rate of up to 3 ppm, 2.1 kg/h free chlorine will have to be dosed. To cater for a month’s (i.e. 30 days) storage capacity at an average dosing rate of 2 ppm, 1025kg of chlorine will have to be stored on site, i.e. fourteen (14) 70kg chlorine cylinders will be required. The chlorine cylinders will be equipped with automatic shut-off valves to close the cylinders in the event of a leak. In addition to the automatic shut-off valves, a dry chlorine scrubber system would be recommended to scrub chlorine gas in the event of a leakage (Aurecon, 2014). Risk mitigation measures and the Occupational Health and Safety requirements for the storage and management of chlorine gas will be strictly followed. This will include the provision of a vacuum room for storage of
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chlorine gas, with chlorine leak detection, alarm, controlled ventilation of the air in the room through a scrubber to remove the chlorine in the air (Aurecon, 2015a).
Stabilization will be required as a final treatment process. Lime dosing is recommended to increase the Calcium Carbonate Precipitation Potential. Cleaning of the rapid gravity sand filters will require periodic backwash cycles. The filter backwash pumps will draw water from the chlorine contact tank and the total estimated backwash cycle would be approximately 20 minutes. The backwash water will be routed to a backwash recovery system where settleable particles will be allowed to settle out (i.e. the filter backwash wastewater is then fed to the backwash water recovery tanks which operate as batch settling tanks). The filters will be designed with a filtrate to waste actuated valve that will route the cloudy filtrate after a filter backwash to the backwash water recovery system before the filter will resume normal duty (Aurecon, 2014).
A clearwell or reservoir with a capacity of 2Ml will be provided to store treated water on site. Water will gravitate from the clearwell to the storage reservoirs at Bhisho and Berlin (Aurecon, 2014).
2.5.3 Silt Waste
Silt waste will be generated from the backwash cycles on the filters as well as during desilting of the sedimentation tanks. The backwash water will be routed to a backwash water recovery system for the recovery of water to the head of works, while the silt will be allowed to dry and be taken off site. The climate of the area is considered to be dry to moderately humid with a relatively low net evaporation rate. The volume and water content of the waste silt that needs to be dried should therefore be reduced as far as possible. Three process silt lagoons are proposed and will be constructed in three phases (Aurecon, 2014).
Process water from the sedimentation tanks will collect in processed silt lagoons. The process silt lagoons will be used sequentially such that when a process silt lagoon is full of sediment it will be retired for approximately 9-12 months during which the remaining water will evaporate. Once the sediment has dried out sufficiently it will be removed by hand/plant and disposed of at a suitable landfill, or land application. The process silt lagoons will be designed with an emergency overflow which will flow through a constructed wetland to the river. The purpose of the constructed wetland is to contain any sediment that may have carried through the process silt lagoons. Water which overflows from the process silt lagoons into the constructed wetlands and the river will only occur in emergency periods, when the process silt lagoons are reaching maximum capacity and switch over to one of the other process silt lagoons is required. Thus this occurrence should be seen as very infrequent and can be limited through adhering to the EMPr during the operational period. The WTW will be designed to recycle most of the process flow (Aurecon, 2015a).
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The remote location of the site poses some challenges to the silt disposal. It is therefore proposed that sufficient storage of the dried silt be allowed for at the WTW. It is very likely that the silt produced is non-hazardous material and as such it could be disposed of at any nearby landfill facility (Aurecon, 2014).
The processed silt lagoon design has been reviewed as follows (Aurecon, 2015a):
2.5.3.1 Estimation of Processed Silt Production and Processed Silt Characteristics: The treatment process will utilize alum sulphate as the coagulant with an organic polymer to aid the flocculation, thus the silt produced is considered an Alum Silt. The treatability tests have indicated a wide range of possible Alum doses, thus the silt generation calculations have been conservative at the higher dosing rate (120mgAlum/l). The average SS concentrations are relatively low at 6.5mgSS/l. The anticipated silt production during Phase 1 is thus 360kg/d, noting that though the plant design flow is 16Ml/d, the average demand is anticipated to be closer to 10Ml/d.
2.5.3.2 Minimizing of Processed Silt Generation: The following sources of silt are managed as follows: a) Pulsator silt will drain to the lagoons (this is at the sedimentation stage and will consist of a reasonably concentrated silt: 0.5 - 1.0% concentration) b) Clearwell maintenance wastewater (this is an annual occurrence when the silt that accumulates in the clearwell (a fine residue that settles on the clearwell floor) will be drained). c) The filter backwash water will be recycled to the head of the works and will not contribute to the silt lagoons d) Domestic sewage will not contribute to the processed silt lagoons. This is conveyed to the nearest sewer network, currently implemented by another service provide, otherwise if this sewerage will not be implemented in time, a conservancy tank with soakaway will be provided in the interim.
2.5.3.3 Lagoon Design: The Phase 1 lagoon consists of four compartments, catering to the Phase 1 loading only, with a wet loading period of 3 months per compartment, and a drying period of 9 months. Thus the compartments are sized for a 12 month period, with three- monthly silt removal periods proposed. The lagoon geometry has a plan ratio of approximately 1:4 in order to prevent short circuiting with the inlet and outlet on opposite ends. The lagoons have been designed with a silt depth limited to 900mm, with an additional 900mm depth available above to store the hydraulic load. For Phases 2 and 3, the loading on the silt lagoons will be reviewed and the future lagoons will be sized accordingly. It is anticipated that the design for Phase 1 is very
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conservative and that the lagoon requirements for Phase 2 and Phase 3 will be much less than was allowed for in Phase 1.
The lagoons will be lined with a water proofing geotextile (eg. Geosynthetic Clay Lining) and the base will be covered with a 100mm layer of gravel and a further 200mm of sand. This is to allow for a suitable vehicle to access the lagoon once the processed silt has compacted sufficiently. The sand will not only protect the geotextile, but also provide an indication of the depth of processed silt to be removed to the operator. A ramp into the lagoons with 1:4 slope will be provided in concrete.
The supernatant from the lagoons will overflow into a common constructed wetland which will act as a final polishing step with a retention of 6 hours before flowing via a pipeline/ or open channel to the river course. The supernatant water quality will have a pH of 6.0- 6.5, with aluminium levels below SANS 241 limits (they will be the same as those in the treated water which must comply with SANS 241). The option of pumping the supernatant back to the head of the works has been considered, but due to the additional operational and maintenance requirements (on most plants this return recycle is often neglected and not maintained) this has not been considered further.
The volume of water wasted from the sedimentation tanks is typically in the order of 2-3% of the design flow.
2.5.3.4 Processed Silt Drying Stage: Once the lagoon has been taken out of service the supernatant will be drained down by the operators to the top of the silt layer. Additionally, subsurface drainage beneath the gravel layer will be provided to aid the draining of the drying silt. This will be collected in a sump and pumped on a weekly/monthly basis to the live silt drying bed.
2.5.3.5 Processed Silt Disposal: The ultimate fate of the dried processed silt is still to be determined. The options available include: a) Landfill disposal (which is costly), b) Creating a dedicated line and permitted local landfill on site (which is not sustainable in the long-term); c) Co-disposal with Waste Water Treatment Works (WWTW) sludges; d) Application of the dried silt to land (this would need to be investigated further if considered a viable option with analysis of the silt and the receiving soils required to determine the appropriate application rate to suit the vegetation type); e) Beneficial re-use of the material as either a fertilizer or a building material (bricks) which could also be investigated further if required.
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The silt drying beds will be designed according to the parameters as indicated in Table 2-7 (Aurecon, 2014).
Table 2-7: Silt Drying Beds Design Parameter Units Design recommendation Design volume to retain one m3/d 357 backwash Concentration mg/ℓ 10 000 Total Load kg/d 164 Design Capacity kg/m2 1.5 Total area required m2 109
2.5.4 Ancillary Facilities and Infrastructure
Ancillary facilities required at the WTW include (Aurecon, 2014):
a) Administrative facilities, consisting of superintendent’s office, administrative office, ablution facilities, conference room, kitchenette / canteen area, laboratory. b) Facilities for Blowers and Pumps housing (Machine Room). c) Facilities for Chemical storage and dosing. d) A workshop with space for fitters and turners and storerooms. e) Space to be allowed for future operator housing.
It is estimated that the electrical demand for the WTW for Phase 1 is 400 kVA and for Phase it would be 800 kVA. A new transformer is required. A standby diesel generator will be installed to provide backup power to the entire WTW during power outages. The diesel tank will be sized to allow for 8 hours of standby power. All automation equipment, instrumentation and the SCADA computer will be supplied with a local UPS to ensure at least 30min uninterrupted power and a seamless transfer duty covering the critical changeover time from which power is cut to when the standby generator supply is operational (Aurecon, 2014).
The WTW has a high electrical demand concentrated on a small footprint, thus insufficient space on the site is available to consider extensive use of renewable energy sources. The continuous operation of the WTW, which is crucial, combined with the undependability of wind and solar power, does not make such options viable for this application. There is also no excess head in the system for hydraulic in-line turbines. Solar geysers will be used for staff accommodation and bathrooms Aurecon, 2015a).
Interior lighting will be ceiling mounted and manually switched on and off. Exterior lighting will be controlled by means of a day/night switch. Minimal exterior lighting will be used to prevent lighting pollution into the neighbouring residential area. No high mast lighting will be used (Aurecon, 2014).
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Service water will be required around the site and will be drawn from the clear well. Since the water will be chlorinated, it will also provide potable water for users on site (canteens, bathrooms, standpipes, etc.). It will also be used onsite for cleaning, irrigation, dissolving chlorine for disinfection and for potable water users. separate service water pump and pressurised tank is proposed for the service water reticulation. Firefighting pumps will draw from the clearwell with a lower off take than the service water pumps to ensure that there will always be adequate reserve volume for firefighting. One diesel motor driven pump, and one electrical motor driven pump will be provided to supply the 1200ℓ/min required for hydrants, and the 30ℓ/min required for hose-reels. Pressure will be constantly maintained in the fire mains reticulation circuit by one (1 No.) high pressure / low flow ‘jockey pump’ (Aurecon, 2014).
Sewage waste will be connected either to the existing sewer network, or to a conservancy tank with a soak-away.
2.5.5 Security
The site shall be protected by a double fence. The inner fence shall be a freestanding 2m high Security Electric Fence with two (2) electrified automatic gates. The outer fence shall be a security mesh fence. All electrical zones along the fence will be maintained at a voltage level of 8 – 10kV (Aurecon, 2014).
The site shall further be protected by CCTV cameras. Cameras shall be installed on all the site corners and around the fence they shall be intermediately spaced such that the maximum distance that a single camera will cover is no more than 20m. Motion sensor security lighting shall be provided on all the site corners (Aurecon, 2014).
2.6 Raw Water Pipeline
The proposed raw water pipeline is located on both surveyed and unsurveyed land which formed part of the old Transkei area. Approximately 1km is located within the Amahlathi Local Municipality, Ward 9 (Remaining Extent of Farm 28). The remainder of the raw water pipeline (approximately 4km) is located within the BCMM, Ward 43 falling within Erf 384 and unsurveyed land.
The Raw Water Pipeline B will convey raw water from the raw water dam to the WTW, over a distance of approximately 847m on unsurveyed land within the BCMM.
The route description, geographic co-ordinates and property information for the raw water pipelines are presented in Table 2-8, and reflected on Figure 2-6.
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Table 2-8: Raw Water Pipeline: Route Description and Geographic Points
Point Latitude (DMS) Longitude (DMS) Pipeline Route Description Raw water pipeline starts at the Wriggleswade Canal System and traverses RW 1 32°42′ 55.66″ S 27°33′ 11.29″ E in a south westerly direction for approximately 1.5km Raw water pipeline turns in a southerly RW 2 32°43′ 18.76″ S 27°32′ 31.6″ E direction for approximately 764m, and crosses a non-perennial watercourse Raw water pipeline turns in a south RW 3 32°43′ 38.79″ S 27°32′ 25.34″ E westerly direction for approximately 971m. The raw water pipeline follows a north RW 4 32°43′ 56.17″ S 27°32′ 1.6″ E westerly direction for approximately 2.3km, and crosses 5 non-perennial watercourses. The raw water pipeline turns in a westerly RW 5 32°43′ 21.17″ S 27°31′ 1.99″ E direction for approximately 270m The raw water pipeline turns in a northerly RW 6 32°43′ 20.89″ S 27°30′ 51.82″ E direction for approximately 112m End of raw water pipeline into the raw water RW 7 32°43′ 17.34″ S 27°30′ 52.67″ E storage dam. Start of raw water pipeline B from the raw water storage dam to the WTW, and RW 8 32°43′ 17.29″ S 27°30′ 52.35″ E traverses in a southerly direction for approximately 112m. The raw water pipeline B turns in a north RW 9 32°43′ 20.86″ S 27°30′ 51.56″ E westerly direction for approximately 144m The raw water pipeline B turns in a south RW 10 32°43′ 18.48″ S 27°30′ 46.87″ E westerly direction for approximately 444m The raw water pipeline B turns in a south RW 11 32°43′ 28.71″ S 27°30′ 35.17″ E westerly direction for approximately 142m RW 12 32°43′ 33.12″ S 27°30′ 33.40″ E End of raw water pipeline B into the WTW
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Figure 2-6: Proposed Raw Water Pipeline Route
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Raw water will be abstracted from the Wriggleswade Canal System via a gravity main. The abstraction volume is anticipated to be 11.62 m³/year, with a seasonal pattern requiring slightly more water in the summer months than in the winter. The Wriggleswade Canal, is administrated by Amatola Water on behalf of the Department of Water and Sanitation. It is anticipated that a sluice gate and flow meter will be required at the connection point. The raw water pipeline specifications are (Aurecon, 2014; Aurecon, 2015b):
a) Length is approximately 5.0 km b) Minimum diameter required is DN 700mm c) Minimum flow rate is 57.6Ml/d (over 24 hours) d) Maximum flow rate is 69.0Ml/d (over 24 hours) e) Elevation profile to enable gravity supply to the raw water storage dams. f) Servitudes required: 10m wide (operational phase), 20m wide (construction phase) g) Depth of pipeline trench is approximately 2m
A bypass connection will also need to be included, which will enable the raw water to be supplied directly to the water treatment works’ inlet, bypassing the storage dams. Besides providing an emergency link, this would enable the maintenance of the storage dams and their enlargement under later phases. The by-pass connection is inside a valve chamber which connects the inlet pipework to the outlet pipework and is not a separate pipeline (Aurecon, 2014).
The 69Ml/d represents the maximum possible flow rate in the pipe only and not the annual demand on the supply.
2.7 Potable Water Pipelines
2.7.1 Overview
The potable water pipeline will convey treated water from the WTW to the Bhisho (All Saints) reservoirs as well as provide an off-take for the clear water pipeline to supply the Berlin reservoirs. In addition, a number of connection points for future off-takes for the rural communities will be allowed in the detailed design.
Route descriptions and associated properties are presented under the relevant sub- sections (Section 2.7.2 to 2.7.4).
Overall construction will take place over a maximum 20m width, it is therefore likely that fencing will be damaged or removed. In some sections of the pipeline a 10m width has been recommended, and in these areas designated stockpiles will be used for temporary storage of soil. Where it is impossible to avoid removing a fence to install the pipeline, temporary fencing will be provided by the Contractor until the
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construction work is completed and the fence is reinstated. The standard of the fencing will be agreed upon with the farmer before any work commences (Aurecon, 2015 and 2015a, 2015b).
The project’s design follows the recommendations of the King William’s Town Water Master Plan, which makes allowance for domestic water requirements in the Berlin Area. The intention is however for water to Berlin to be provided from the Berlin Reservoirs and not directly off the bulk pipeline. This project is for the installation of bulk water supply pipelines only, conveying treated water for domestic use. No reticulation lines will be installed. An application must be made to the BCMM for the installation of a metered connection. This process will happen separately from the current project. The hydraulic design of the pipeline does not allow for a large number of individual connections – a single connection to an e.g. elevated tank which then feeds households, is recommended (Aurecon, 2015a).
2.7.2 Bhisho (All Saints) Potable Water Pipeline (Pipeline 1A)
The Bhisho (All Saints) potable water pipeline (Pipeline 1A) specifications are (Aurecon, 2014; Aurecon, 2015b): a) The elevation profile to enable the gravity supply of the reservoirs, of at least 48.0 Ml/day (over 20 hours). b) Length is approximately 15 km c) Diameters required range between DN 500mm to DN 700mm d) Servitudes required: 10m wide (operational phase), 20m wide (construction phase) e) Depth of pipeline trench is approximately 2m
The placement of the proposed potable water pipelines has taken into consideration the requirements from SANRAL.
The proposed Bhisho Potable Water Pipeline is located on both surveyed and unsurveyed land, which formed part of the old Transkei area, and located within the BCMM, Wards 43 and 45. The geographic co-ordinates for the Bhisho Potable Water Pipeline is presented in Table 2-9, the route description with affected properties in Table 2-10 and reflected on Figure 2-7.
Table 2-9: Geographic Co-ordinates for Bhisho Potable Water Pipeline
Point Latitude (DMS) Longitude (DMS) 1A 32°43′ 39.00″ S 27°30′ 34.33″ E 1 32°43′ 45.58″ S 27°30′ 19.98″ E 2 32°43′ 42.48″ S 27°30′ 13.01″ E 3 32°43′ 45.11″ S 27°30′ 09.98″ E 4 32°44′ 3.28″ S 27°30′ 6.74″ E 5 32°44′ 39.73″ S 27°29′ 36.98″ E
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Point Latitude (DMS) Longitude (DMS) 6 32°44′ 42.42″ S 27°29′ 37.12″ E 7 32°44′ 46.35″ S 27°29′ 40.54″ E 8 32°44′ 48.23″ S 27°29′ 54.92″ E 9 32°45′ 25.34″ S 27°29′ 47.90″ E 10 32°45′ 29.09″ S 27°29′ 39.62″ E 11 32°45′ 30.54″ S 27°29′ 39.45″ E 12 32°45′ 31.09″ S 27°29′ 33.94″ E 13 32°45′ 32.33″ S 27°29′ 33.84″ E 14 32°45′ 30.62″ S 27°29′ 25.03″ E 15 32°45′ 34.59″ S 27°29′ 23.27″ E 16 32°45′ 34.32″ S 27°29′ 22.13″ E 17 32°46′ 10.36″ S 27°29′ 03.73″ E 18 32°46′ 12.89″ S 27°29′ 03.74″ E 19 32°46′ 59.96″ S 27°28′ 39.46″ E 20 32°47′ 02.56″ S 27°28′ 39.50″ E 21 32°47′ 03.26″ S 27°28′ 37.70″ E 22 32°48′ 34.68″ S 27°27′ 50.85″ E 23 32°48′ 41.19″ S 27°27′ 50.79″ E 24 32°48′ 43.74″ S 27°27′ 46.02″ E 25 32°49′ 12.74″ S 27°27′ 31.41″ E 26 32°48′ 59.41″ S 27°27′ 12.79″ E
Table 2-10: Route Description and Properties for Bhisho Potable Water Pipeline
Point Route Description Affected Properties Starts at the WTW site and 1A to 1 traverses in a south westerly Unsurveyed property direction for approximately 425m Pipeline turns in a westerly 1 to 2 Unsurveyed property direction, for approximately 210m Pipeline turns in a south westerly 2 to 3 Unsurveyed property direction, for approximately 112m Pipeline turns in a southerly Unsurveyed property, Erf 383 Peelton, Erf 3 to 4 direction for approximately 568m 382 Peelton, Erf 381 Peelton Pipeline turns in a south westerly Erf 381 Peelton, 4 to 5 direction for approximately 1.6km Unsurveyed property Pipeline turns in a southerly 5 to 6 Unsurveyed property direction for approximately 101m Pipeline turns in a south easterly 6 to 7 Unsurveyed property direction for approximately 181m Pipeline turns in an easterly 7 to 8 Unsurveyed property direction for approximately 456m Unsurveyed property, Erf 251 Peelton, Pipeline turns in a southerly Erf 3899 Peelton, Erf 3910 Peelton, 8 to 9 direction for approximately 1.4km Erf 3912 Peelton, Erf 391 Peelton, Erf 1020 Peelton
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Point Route Description Affected Properties Pipeline turns in a south westerly 9 to 10 Erf 1020 Peelton for approximately 293m Pipeline turns in a southerly 10 to 11 Erf 1020 Peelton direction for approximately 50m Pipeline turns in a westerly 11 to 12 Erf 1020 Peelton direction for approximately 173m Pipeline turns in a southerly 12 to 13 Erf 1020 Peelton direction for approximately 38m Pipeline turns in a westerly 13 to 14 Erf 1020 Peelton direction for approximately 282m Pipeline turns in a south westerly 14 to 15 Erf 1020 Peelton direction for approximately 149m Pipeline turns in a westerly 15 to 16 Erf 1020 Peelton, Unsurveyed property direction for approximately 30m Pipeline turns in a south westerly Unsurveyed property, Erf 59 Peelton, 16 to 17 direction (following the R63) for Erf 58 Peelton, Erf 57 Peelton, Erf 56 approximately 1.4km Peelton, Erf 55 Peelton, Erf 534 Peelton Pipeline turns in a southerly 17 to 18 Unsurveyed property direction for approximately 89m Unsurveyed property, Erf 888 Peelton, Erf 887 Peelton, Erf 886 Peelton, Erf 885 Pipeline turns in a south westerly Peelton, Erf 1011 Peelton, Erf 872 Peelton, direction (following the R63, outside 18 to 19 Erf 871 Peelton, Erf 862 Peelton, Erf 861 the road reserve) for approximately Peelton, Erf 860 Peelton, Erf 844 Peelton, 1.8km Erf 843 Peelton, Erf 842 Peelton, Erf 841 Peelton Pipeline turns in a southerly 19 to 20 Erf 841 Peelton, Erf 840 Peelton direction for approximately 89m Pipeline turns in a westerly 20 to 21 Erf 840 Peelton, Unsurveyed property direction for approximately 47m Unsurveyed property, Erf 791 Peelton, Erf 790 Peelton, Erf 779 Peelton, Erf 778 Peelton, Erf 772 Peelton, Erf 774 Peelton, Pipeline turns in a south westerly Erf 766 Peelton, Erf 765 Peelton, Erf 764 direction (following the R63, outside 21 to 22 Peelton, Erf 757 Peelton, Erf 756 Peelton, the road reserve) for approximately Erf 741 Peelton, Erf 740 Peelton, Erf 728 3.6km Peelton, Erf 727 Peelton, Erf 726 Peelton, Erf 722 Peelton, Erf 721 Peelton, Erf 720 Peelton Pipeline turns in a southerly 22 to 23 Unsurveyed property direction for approximately 235m Pipeline turns in a westerly 23 to 24 Unsurveyed property direction for approximately 170m Pipeline turns in a south westerly direction (following the R63, outside 24 to 25 Erf RE/1071 Bhisho the road reserve) for approximately 1.1km Pipeline turns in a north westerly 25 to 26 Erf RE/1071 Bhisho, Erf 2933 Bhisho direction for approximately 760m End point at the Bhisho (All Saints) 26 Erf 2933 Bhisho Reservoirs
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Figure 2-7: Overview of Bhisho Potable Water Pipeline Route
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2.7.3 Berlin Potable Water Pipeline (Pipeline 1B)
The potable water pipeline to the Berlin Reservoir Complex (Pipeline 1B) will convey treated water from an off-take to the potable water pipeline supplying the All Saints reservoirs. Two future off take connection points on the Berlin pipeline are envisaged, i.e. at Hanover and Kings Cross. The pipeline route is mainly aligned alongside road routes. The Berlin potable water pipeline specifications are (Aurecon, 2014; 2015b):
a) The elevation profile to enable the gravity supply of the reservoirs, of at least 19.7 Ml/day (over 20 hours). b) Length is 14.4 km c) Diameter required is DN 500mm d) Servitudes required : 5m to 10m wide (operational phase), 20m wide (construction phase) e) Depth of pipeline trench is approximately 2m
The proposed Berlin Potable Water Pipeline is located on both surveyed and unsurveyed land, which formed part of the old Transkei area, and located within the BCMM, Wards 43 and 45. The geographic co-ordinates for the Berlin Potable Water Pipeline is presented in Table 2-11, the route description with affected properties in Table 2-12 and reflected on Figure 2-8.
Table 2-11: Geographic Co-ordinates for Berlin Potable Water Pipeline
Point Latitude (DMS) Longitude (DMS) 27 32°48′ 24.35″ S 27°27′ 56.53″ E 28 32°48′ 37.68″ S 27°28′ 28.06″ E 29 32°48′ 42.45″ S 27°28′ 32.58″ E 30 32°48′ 42.11″ S 27°28′ 33.10″ E 31 32°49′ 16.67″ S 27°29′ 02.19″ E 32 32°49′ 17.19″ S 27°29′ 02.66″ E 33 32°49′ 18.00″ S 27°29′ 05.31″ E 34 32°49′ 14.76″ S 27°30′ 27.15″ E 35 32°49′ 40.10″ S 27°30′ 36.64″ E 36 32°49′ 48.42″ S 27°30′ 36.91″ E 37 32°50′ 13.17″ S 27°30′ 29.03″ E 38 32°50′ 31.33″ S 27°30′ 27.65″ E 39 32°50′ 42.78″ S 27°30′ 32.35″ E 40 32°50′ 57.33″ S 27°30′ 31.12″ E 41 32°51′ 07.37″ S 27°30′ 43.79″ E 42 32°51′ 16.45″ S 27°30′ 46.83″ E 43 32°51′ 16.56″ S 27°30′ 46.14″ E
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Point Latitude (DMS) Longitude (DMS) 44 32°51′ 47.80″ S 27°30′ 54.37″ E 45 32°52′ 47.32″ S 27°32′ 34.44″ E 46 32°52′ 37.69″ S 27°32′ 38.71″ E 47 32°52′ 35.64″ S 27°32′ 37.86″ E 48 32°52′ 30.46″ S 27°32′ 40.64″ E 49 32°52′ 37.60″ S 27°33′ 15.02″ E 50 32°52′ 30.75″ S 27°33′ 30.26″ E 51 32°52′ 31.05″ S 27°33′ 21.49″ E 52 32°52′ 34.37″ S 27°32′ 59.27″ E 53 32°52′ 25.75″ S 27°33′ 03.96″ E 54 32°52′ 30.07″ S 27°33′ 21.90″ E
Table 2-12: Route Description and Affected Properties for Berlin Potable Water Pipeline
Point Route Description Affected Properties
Starts at the off take position on the Bhisho Pipeline at the R63 and Unsurveyed property, Erf 408 Hanover, Erf 27 to 28 Hanover Road intersection. 407, Hanover Erf 239 Hanover Pipeline traverses in an easterly direction for approximately 1.1km
Pipeline turns in a south easterly Erf 239 Hanover, Erf 240 Hanover, Erf 241 28 to 29 direction, for approximately 223m Hanover, Erf 242 Hanover
Pipeline turns in a north easterly 29 to 30 Erf 242 Hanover direction for approximately 20m
Erf 242 Hanover, Erf 396 Hanover, Erf 395 Pipeline turns in a south easterly Hanover, Erf 394 Hanover, Erf 393 30 to 31 direction for approximately 1.5km Hanover, Erf 392 Hanover, Unsurveyed property
Pipeline turns in a southerly 31 to 32 Erf 392 Hanover direction for approximately 20m
Pipeline turns in a south easterly 32 to 33 Erf 392 Hanover direction for approximately 86m
Erf 392 Hanover, Erf 386 Hanover, Erf 385 Pipeline turns in an easterly 33 to 34 Hanover, Erf 376 Hanover, Erf 377 direction for approximately 2.5km Hanover, Unsurveyed property
Pipeline turns in a south easterly 34 to 35 Erf 376 Hanover, Road reserve direction for approximately 976m
Pipeline turns in a southerly for 35 to 36 Road reserve approximately 306m
36 to 37 Pipeline turns in a south westerly Road reserve
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Point Route Description Affected Properties direction for approximately 945m
Pipeline turns in a southerly 37 to 38 Road reserve direction for approximately 671m
Pipeline turns in a south easterly 38 to 39 Road reserve direction for approximately 447m
Pipeline turns in a southerly Road reserve, Erf 359 Hanover, Erf 178 39 to 40 direction for approximately 536m Hanover
Pipeline turns in a south easterly 40 to 41 Erf 178 Hanover direction for approximately 539m
Pipeline turns in a southerly Erf 178 Hanover, Remaining Extent of Farm 41 to 42 direction for approximately 350m 1877 KWT
Pipeline turns in a westerly 42 to 43 Remaining Extent of Farm 1877 KWT direction for approximately 23m
Pipeline turns in a southerly 43 to 44 Remaining Extent of Farm 1877 KWT direction for approximately 1.1km
Remaining Extent Farm 1877 KWT, Farm Pipeline turns in a south easterly 1908 KWT, Farm 1909 KWT, Remaining 44 to 45 direction for approximately 3.8km Extent Farm 1910 KWT, Remaining Extent Farm 1916 KWT
Pipeline turns in a north easterly Remaining Extent Farm 1916 KWT, Portion 45 to 46 direction for approximately 378m 3 of Farm 1877 KWT, Erf 8 Berlin
Pipeline turns in a northerly 46 to 47 Erf 8 Berlin direction for approximately 79m
Pipeline turns in a north easterly 47 to 48 Erf 8 Berlin, Erf 2377 Berlin direction for approximately 211m
Pipeline turns in an easterly 48 to 49 Erf 2377 Berlin, Erf 5 Berlin direction for approximately 1km
Pipeline turns in a north easterly 49 to 50 Erf 5 Berlin direction for approximately 309m
Pipeline turns in an easterly 50 to 51 Erf 5 Berlin direction for approximately 43m
A second option within Berlin: Pipeline at point 52 turns in a northerly direction for approximately 52 to 53 290m, at point 53 turns in an Erf 2377 Berlin, Erf 5 Berlin, Erf 1431 Berlin to 54 to easterly direction for approximately and Erf 1349 Berlin 51 495m, and at point 54 turns in a southerly direction for approximately 30m ending at the Berlin reservoir site
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Figure 2-8: Overview of Berlin Potable Water Pipeline Route
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2.7.4 Rural Connection Pipelines
The following rural connection pipelines are included, refer to Table 2-13 for the route description and locality, and reflected on Figure 2-9:
Option A: Nompumelelo Reservoir via Mjali Borehole
a) A proposed 350mm ND, 780m long gravity pipeline from the proposed Bhisho bulk pipeline (Point 8), to the Mjali borehole, where it will be fed into an existing rising main that leads to Mjali, to feed the BCMM rural areas (Mjali, Tukayi, Phantsikwa Train, Empgengepenge, Drayini, Village, Nkqonkqweni, Sixekweni). Upgrades to the existing Mjali borehole pump may be required, as well as the construction of a pump sump structure.. b) A proposed 400mm ND, 1700m long rising main from the Mjali borehole to the Nompumelelo reservoir, to feed ADM rural areas as well as BCMM rural areas such as Peelton. c) A proposed offtake position for the supply of potable water to BCMM rural areas at Hanover, including a 110mm DN pipe from the potable bulk pipeline to a proposed new storage reservoir. d) A proposed offtake position for the supply of potable water to BCMM rural areas at Kings Cross. No additional supply pipelines will be included.
Option B: Border Post BPT via Border Post WTW Pump Station
a) The construction of a pump station at the Border Post WTW. b) A proposed 400mm DN, 1600m long rising main from the Border Post WTW pump station to the Border Post Break Pressure Tank (BPT). c) A splitting chamber to split the water from the rising main between the 6Ml reservoir and the 50kl Break Pressure Tank
d) A proposed 250mm DN, 4400m long gravity main from the new Border Post BPT to the Mjali reservoir, to feed the Mjali area. e) Peelton, Nompumelelo and the ADM rural areas will be fed from the Border Post reservoir via the existing water network. f) A proposed offtake position for the supply of potable water to BCMM rural areas at Hanover, including a 110mm DN pipe from the potable water pipeline to a proposed new storage reservoir. g) A proposed offtake position for the supply of potable water to BCMM rural areas at Kings Cross. No additional supply pipelines will be included.
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Table 2-13: Rural Connection Pipelines and Interim Option Infrastructure Point Latitude (DMS) Longitude (DMS) Pipeline Route Description Mjali 350mm Gravity Pipeline Pipeline traverses in an easterly direction for MG1 32°44′ 48.43″ S 27°29′ 54.93″ E approximately 75m, located on unsurveyed property Pipeline turns in a south easterly direction for approximately 215m, located on unsurveyed MG2 32°44′ 48.73″ S 27°29′ 57.68″ E property, Erf 257 Peelton and crosses a watercourse Pipeline turns in an easterly direction for MG3 32°44′ 53.88″ S 27°30′ 02.61″ E approximately 205m, located on Erf 257 Peelton and unsurveyed property. Pipeline follows a northerly direction for approximately 280m. Located on unsurveyed MG4 32°44′ 54.25″ S 27°30′ 10.52″ E property, Erf 243 Peelton, Erf 242 Peelton, Erf 241 Peelton. MB 32°44′ 45.27″ S 27°30′ 45.56″ E End of pipeline at Mjali Borehole 400mm Rising Main from Mjali Borehole to Nompumelelo Reservoir Start of rising main pipeline at Mjali Borehole. Pipeline follows a southerly route for MB 32°44′ 45.27″ S 27°30′ 45.56″ E approximately 280m. Located on unsurveyed property, Erf 243 Peelton, Erf 242 Peelton, Erf 241 Peelton Pipeline follows a westerly route for N1 32°44′ 54.06″ S 27°30′ 10.31″ E approximately 200m. Located on unsurveyed property and Erf 257 Peelton. Pipeline follows a north westerly route for N2 32°44′ 53.64″ S 27°30′ 02.69″ E approximately 210m. Located on unsurveyed property and Erf 257 Peelton Pipeline follows a westerly route for approximately 615m. Located on Erf 250 N3 32°44′ 48.58″ S 27°29′ 57.88″ E Peelton, Erf 249 Peelton, Erf 248 Peelton, unsurveyed property Pipeline follows a southerly route for approximately 115m. Located on unsurveyed N4 32°44′ 45.23″ S 27°29′ 34.56″ E property, Remaining Extent of Farm 113 KWT, Portion 17 of Farm 113 KWT Pipeline follows a westerly route for N5 32°44′ 48.90″ S 27°29′ 34.00″ E approximately 45m. Located on Portion 17 of Farm 113 KWT Pipeline ends at the Nompumelelo Reservoir, NR 32°44′ 48.69″ S 27°29′ 32.46″ E located on Portion 17 of Farm 113 KWT Hanover 110m Pipeline Pipeline starts at the Hanover Offtake Position and follows in a north to north easterly direction for approximately 400m. H1 32°48′ 45.69″ S 27°28′ 35.95″ E Located on Erf 396 Hanover, Erf 397 Hanover, Erf 398 Hanover, unsurveyed property. Pipeline follows an easterly direction for H2 32°48′ 33.61″ S 27°28′ 39.48″ E approximately 285m, located on unsurveyed property. Pipeline follows a south easterly direction for H3 32°48′ 31.54″ S 27°28′ 50.14″ E approximately 285m, located on unsurveyed
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Point Latitude (DMS) Longitude (DMS) Pipeline Route Description property and Erf 399 Hanover. Pipeline follows a north easterly direction for H4 32°48′ 37.13″ S 27°28′ 58.94″ E approximately 250m, located on Erf 399 Hanover, unsurveyed property. Pipeline follows an easterly direction for approximately 75m, located on Erf 840 H5 32°48′ 30.78″ S 27°29′ 01.32″ E Hanover, Erf 841 Hanover and unsurveyed property Pipeline follows a northerly direction for H6 32°48′ 31.36″ S 27°29′ 03.95″ E approximately 55m, located on unsurveyed property Pipeline ends at the proposed Hanover H7 32°48′ 29.72″ S 27°29′ 04.50″ E reservoir, located on unsurveyed property Border Post 250mm Gravity Main Pipeline starts at the Border Post reservoir, and follows in a south westerly direction for BPG1 32°42′ 57.24″ S 27°30′ 56.10″ E approximately 695m, located on unsurveyed property. Pipeline follows a south easterly to easterly BPG2 32°43′ 14.51″ S 27°30′ 39.15″ E direction for approximately 435m, located on unsurveyed property. Pipeline follows an easterly direction for BPG3 32°43′ 21.39″ S 27°30′ 53.56″ E approximately 220m, located on unsurveyed property. Pipeline follows a south easterly direction for approximately 2.5km and crosses a BPG4 32°43′ 21.31″ S 27°31′ 01.96″ E watercourse, located on unsurveyed property. Pipeline follows a south westerly to westerly BPG5 32°44′ 08.64″ S 27°32′ 14.53″ E direction for approximately 410m, located on unsurveyed property. Pipeline follows a southerly direction for BPG6 32°44′ 16.17″ S 27°32′ 02.44″ E approximately 130m, located on unsurveyed property, Erf 2236 Peelton. Pipeline ends at the proposed 3Ml Mjali BPG7 32°44′ 19.97″ S 27°32′ 04.45″ E reservoir, located on Erf 2237 Peelton Border Post 400mm Rising Main Pipeline starts at the proposed Border Post reservoir (break pressure tank), and follows BPR1 32°42′ 56.87″ S 27°30′ 55.62″ E in a south westerly direction for approximately 700m, located on unsurveyed property. Pipeline follows a south easterly direction for BPR2 32°43′ 14.56″ S 27°30′ 38.92″ E approximately 225M, located on unsurveyed property Pipeline follows a south westerly direction for BPR3 32°43′ 18.49″ S 27°30′ 46.53″ E approximately 435m, located on unsurveyed property. Pipeline follows a southerly direction for BPR4 32°43′ 28.41″ S 27°30′ 34.86″ E approximately 145m, located on unsurveyed property. Pipeline ends at the proposed Border Post BPR5 32°43′ 32.97″ S 27°30′ 33.29″ E pump station, located on Erf 2237 Peelton
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Figure 2-9: Rural Connection Pipelines & Interim Optional Infrastructure
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2.8 Rail, Road and Watercourse Crossings
The alignment of the pipelines requires a rail, road and watercourse crossings as summarised in Table 2-14.
Jacked pipe sleeves are anticipated to be used at the four rail crossings. The three crossings of the R63 are likely to require pipe jacking methods to install sleeve pipes through which the water main can be drawn. The crossings under the R63 would need to be approved by SANRAL. The remaining road crossings would be half-width construction methods for the installation of sleeve pipes under these roads. The watercourse (river, drainage lines and wetland) crossings are anticipated to be trenching, except for the crossing at the Lonsdale Bridge which will be Horizontal Directional Drilling.
Table 2-14: Summary of Rail, Road and Watercourse Crossings Pipeline Portion Rail Road Watercourse Crossings Crossings Crossings Raw water 1 0 9: pipelines 1 – Perennial (KwaNkwebu) 6 – Non-Perennial (drainage) 2 - Wetlands Bhisho (All Saints) 0 3: 10: Potable Water Pipeline 1 - R63 1 – Perennial (Yellowwoods) 2 - gravel road 7 – Non-Perennial (drainage) 2 - Wetlands Berlin Potable 3 9: 11: Water Pipeline (Pipeline 1B) 5 - gravel road 1 – Perennial (Yellowwoods) 4 – tar road 3 – Non-Perennial (drainage) 4 – Wetlands 3 - Dams Mjali Gravity 0 0 1: Pipeline 1 – Perennial (KwaNkwebu) Rising Main from 0 1: 1: Mjali Borehole to Nompumelelo 1 – R63 1 – Perennial (KwaNkwebu) Reservoir Hanover Pipeline 0 0 0 Border Post 1 0 6: 250mm Gravity Main 1 – Perennial (KwaNkwebu) 5 – Non-Perennial (drainage) Border Post 400m 0 0 1: Rising Main 1 – Non-Perennial (drainage)
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2.9 Reservoirs
The following reservoirs are included in the proposed project:
a) A ground level potable water reservoir, 4Ml capacity, and two 450Kl elevated tanks at Berlin; to be situated adjacent to the existing reservoirs. The proposed reservoirs are located on Erf 5 Berlin, within the BCMM.
b) A new 3Ml reservoir (with a fenced area of 0.36ha) will have to be constructed at the site of the current Mjali reservoir, to feed the BCMM rural areas such as Mjali, Tukayi, Phantsikwa Train, Empgengepenge, Drayini, Village, Nkqonkqweni, and Sixekweni. The proposed reservoir is located on Erf 2237, within the BCMM
c) A proposed new 600kl storage reservoir (approximately 100m2) at Hanover. The proposed reservoir is located on Erf 834, Hanover, within the BCMM.
d) Option A (Nompumelelo Reservoir via Mjali Borehole) further includes includes a proposed new 6Ml reservoir (0.64ha) at the Nompumelelo reservoir site, in order to provide water to the ADM rural areas as well as BCMM rural areas (Peelton/Mdange). The proposed reservoir is located on Portion 17 of the Farm 113, within the ADM
h) Option B (Border Post BPT via Border Post WTW Pump Station) further includes a 6Ml reservoir (0.64ha) at the Border Post Break Pressure Tank site, adjacent to the current BPT (existing 500kl Border Post reservoir), and a 50kl Break Pressure Tank, to feed a gravity main to Mjali. The proposed Border Post Reservoir is located on Portion 14 of the Farm 28, within the ADM and the Border Post Break Pressure Tank on unsurveyed property within the BCMM.
2.10 Access Roads
The proposed sites for the raw water storage dam and WTW are accessible from the tarred R63 national road. A new access road would be required from the R63 to the raw water storage dam and the WTW for construction and operational / maintenance purposes. The new access road would need to be approved by SANRAL.
A new access road will be required for the raw water pipeline for construction and operational / maintenance purposes. It is anticipated that this access road will be adjacent to the pipeline route and access gates will be installed. The access track would not cross the KwaNkwebu River.
Access for the proposed potable water pipelines will be from existing roads, as the potable water pipelines are mostly located adjacent to existing roads. Where the
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pipelines veer away from existing roads, haul / access roads would be required adjacent to the proposed pipeline routes. These roads would be used for construction and operational / maintenance purposes. Access between properties can be facilitated by gates, should this be required.
The proposed pipeline route will ensure the Contractor will use public roads and lands to access the pipe. If the Contractor requires access to private roads, the Contractor will have to organize directly with farmer to obtain permission. No Contractors will be allowed on private roads without the permission from the landowner (Aurecon, 2015).
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Chapter 3 CHAPTER 3: LEGAL FRAMEWORK
3.1 National Environmental Management Act
The National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998) [NEMA], as amended, provides a framework for the integration of the environmental management activities of various spheres of government. It promotes integrated management to ensure sustainable resource utilisation and development and requires that the Department of National Environmental Affairs be the lead agent in ensuring effective custodianship of the environment. It also provides that sensitive, vulnerable, highly dynamic or stressed ecosystems, such as coastal shores, estuaries, wetlands, and similar systems require specific attention in management and planning procedures, especially where subjected to significant human resource usage and development pressure. The NEMA principles clearly emphasize the need to protect threatened ecosystems and are binding on all organs of state including the local authorities.
Section 23 of NEMA further determines that Integrated Environmental Management should be employed when any policies, programmes, plans or projects are drawn up to minimise the impact on the environment. The duty of officials to prevent pollution and ecological degradation, to promote conservation and secure ecologically sustainable development and use of natural resources, originates from the Constitution and NEMA.
An application for development has to conform to the requirements of the NEMA and the regulations promulgated in terms of Section 24 thereof. The proposed Kei Road WTW and Conveyance includes activities that may have a detrimental effect on the environment as listed in GNR 544, GNR 545 and GNR 546 (of 18 June 2010). All activities listed in these regulations require an Environmental Authorisation.
The EIA Regulations, 2014, were published on 4 December 2014 in terms of the NEMA and came into effect on 8 December 2014. Section 53 of the EIA Regulations (2014) states that an application submitted in terms of the EIA Regulations (2010), and which is pending when the EIA Regulations (2014) take effect, must despite the
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repeal of the former, be dispensed with in terms of the former as if they were not repealed. Therefore, the EIA Regulations (2014) are not applicable to this application.
In addition, if an activity that is listed under EIA Regulations (2010) does not form part of the EIA Regulations (2014), the Competent Authority (i.e. DEDEAT) will consider the said activity to be withdrawn from the application.
In terms of the EIA Regulations, 2010, made under Section 24(5) of NEMA, the following listed activities (Table 3-1) within Government Notice R. 544, and R 546 (of 18 June 2010 as amended) are triggered by the proposed development, thereby requiring environmental authorisation from the Eastern Cape Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEDEAT). Table 3-1 also includes the relevant activities in terms of the EIA Regulations, 2014, made under Section 24(5) of the Act and published in Government Notice R.983, R.984 and R.985 of 2014 in Government Gazette No. 38282 of 4 December 2014.
Table 3-1: NEMA EIA Listed Activities
Listed Activity i.t.o. Listed Activity i.t.o. Description June 2010 EIA Regulations December 2014 EIA Regulations GN R.544: Activity 9 GN R.983: Activity 9 The Raw Water Pipeline is The construction of facilities or The development of approximately 5km in length, infrastructure exceeding 1000 infrastructure exceeding 1000 with a width of 700mm metres in length for the bulk metres in length for the bulk diamater, located outside an transportation of water, … transportation of water or urban area and traverses 8 (i) with an internal diameter of storm water— watercourses. 0,36 metres or more; or (i) with an internal diameter of The Raw Water Pipeline B (ii) with a peak throughput of 0,36 metres or more; or (from the dam to the WTW) is 120 litres per second or more, (ii) with a peak throughput of approximately 847m in length, excluding where: 120 litres per second or more; with a width of 700mm diameter, located outside an (a) such facilities or excluding where— urban area, and traverses 1 infrastructure are for bulk (a) such infrastructure is for watercourse. transportation of water, bulk transportation of water or The Bhisho Potable Water sewage or storm water or storm water or storm water Pipeline is approximately storm water drainage inside a drainage inside a road 15km in length, with a width road reserve; or reserve; or ranging between 500mm to (b) where such construction (b) where such development 700mm diameter, located will occur within urban areas will occur within an urban inside and outside an urban but further than 32 metres area. area, within and outside a from a watercourse, road reserve and traverses 10 measured from the edge of watercourses. the watercourse. The Berlin Potable Water Pipeline is approximately 14.4km in length, 500mm diameter width, located inside and outside an urban area, within and outside a road reserve and traverses 11 watercourses. The Mjali Gravity Pipeline is approximately 780m in length,
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Listed Activity i.t.o. Listed Activity i.t.o. Description June 2010 EIA Regulations December 2014 EIA Regulations 350mm diameter width, located outside an urban area and traverses one watercourse. The Rising Main from Mjali Borehole to Nompumelelo Reservoir is approximately 1.7km in length, a 400mm diameter width, located outside an urban area and traverses one watercourse. The Hanover Pipeline is approximately 1.3km in length, 110mm diameter width, located inside and outside an urban area. The Border Post Gravity Main is approximately 4.4km in length, 250mm diameter width, located outside an urban area and traverses 6 watercourses. The Border Post Rising Main is approximately 1.6km in length, 400mm diameter width, located outside an urban area and traveses 2 watercourses. GN R.544: Activity 11 GN R.983: Activity 12 The Raw Water Storage The construction of: The development of— Dam will cover an area of (iv) dams; (iv) dams, where the dam, approximately 13ha, and is located within 2 watercourses. (xi) infrastructure or structures including infrastructure and water surface area, exceeds It is anticipated that a 50 / covering 50 square metres or 2 more where such construction 100 square metres in size; 100m footprint is required for occurs within a watercourse or (xii) infrastructure or the pipelines: within 32 metres of a structures with a physical The Raw Water Pipeline is watercourse, measured from footprint of 100 square metres approximately 5km in length, the edge of a watercourse, or more; with a width of 700mm excluding where such where such development diameter, located outside an construction will occur behind occurs— urban area and traverses 8 watercourses. the development setback line. (a) within a watercourse; The Raw Water Pipeline B (c) if no development setback (from the dam to the WTW) is exists, within 32 metres of a approximately 847m in length, watercourse, measured from with a width of 700mm the edge of a watercourse; — diameter, located outside an excluding— urban area, and traverses 1 (cc) activities listed in watercourse. activity 14 in Listing Notice 2 The Bhisho Potable Water of 2014 or activity 14 in Listing Pipeline is approximately Notice 3 of 2014, in which 15km in length, with a width case that activity applies; ranging between 500mm to (dd) where such 700mm diameter, located development occurs within an inside and outside an urban urban area; or area, within and outside a
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Listed Activity i.t.o. Listed Activity i.t.o. Description June 2010 EIA Regulations December 2014 EIA Regulations (ee) where such road reserve and traverses 10 development occurs within watercourses. existing roads or road The Berlin Potable Water reserves. Pipeline is approximately 14.4km in length, 500mm diameter width, located inside and outside an urban area, within and outside a road reserve and traverses 11 watercourses. The Mjali Gravity Pipeline is approximately 780m in length, 350mm diameter width, located outside an urban area and traverses one watercourse. The Rising Main from Mjali Borehole to Nompumelelo Reservoir is approximately 1.7km in length, a 400mm diameter width, located outside an urban area and traverses one watercourse. The Border Post Gravity Main is approximately 4.4km in length, 250mm diameter width, located outside an urban area and traverses 6 watercourses. The Border Post Rising Main is approximately 1.6km in length, 400mm diameter width, located outside an urban area and traveses 2 watercourses.. GN R.544: Activity 12 GN R.983: Activity 13 Construction of a Raw Water The construction of facilities or The development of facilities Storage Dam with phase 1 infrastructure for the off- or infrastructure for the off- capacity of 407Mℓ, and phase stream storage of water, stream storage of water, 2 capacity of 202Ml; giving a including dams and including dams and total capacity of 609Mℓ. reservoirs, with a combined reservoirs, with a combined Berlin Reservoirs: The capacity of 50000 cubic capacity of 50000 cubic construction of a potable metres or more, unless such metres or more, unless such water reservoir, 4 Ml capacity, storage falls within the ambit storage falls within the ambit at ground level and two 450 kl of activity 19 of Notice 545 of of activity 16 in Listing Notice elevated tanks at Berlin. The 2010. 2 of 2014. total capacity of the new reservoirs at Berlin is 4,900m3, and does not meet the threshold of 50,000m3. A 3Ml reservoir at the Mjali reservoir site. The reservoir does not meet the 50,000m3 threshold. A 6Ml reservoir at the Nompumelelo reservoir site.
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Listed Activity i.t.o. Listed Activity i.t.o. Description June 2010 EIA Regulations December 2014 EIA Regulations The Border Post reservoir does not meet the 50,000m3 threshold. A 6Ml reservoir at the Border Post reservoir site. The reservoir does not meet the 50,000m3 threshold. GN R.544: Activity 13 GN R.983: Activity 14 “Dangerous goods” that are The construction of facilities or The development of facilities likely to be associated with the infrastructure for the storage, or infrastructure, for the proposed project, include the or for the storage and storage, or for the storage and following: handling, of a dangerous handling, of a dangerous Fuel stores for construction good, where such storage good, where such storage purposes; occurs in containers with a occurs in containers with a Goods used for the operation combined capacity of 80 but combined capacity of 80 cubic of the WTW (including not exceeding 500 cubic metres or more but not Chlorine). metres. exceeding 500 cubic metres. GN R.544: Activity 18 GN R.983: Activity 19 The raw water dams, bulk raw The infilling or depositing of The infilling or depositing of water and potable water any material of more than 5 any material of more than 5 supply pipelines are located cubic metres into, or the cubic metres into, or the within watercourses as well as dredging, excavation, removal dredging, excavation, removal within 32m of watercourses or moving of soil, sand, shells, or moving of soil, sand, shells, (e.g. Yellowwood River) and 3 shell grit, pebbles or rock or shell grit, pebbles or rock of more than 5m of material will more than 5 cubic metres more than 5 cubic metres be moved. Maintenance from: from— operations may require the 3 (i) a watercourse. (i) a watercourse; moving of 5m of soil within watercourses. but excluding where such infilling, depositing , dredging, The Raw Water Storage excavation, removal or Dam will cover an area of moving— approximately 13ha, and is located within 2 watercourses. (a) will occur behind a development setback; It is anticipated that a 50 / 100m2 footprint is required for (b) is for maintenance the pipelines: purposes undertaken in accordance with a The Raw Water Pipeline is maintenance management approximately 5km in length, plan; or with a width of 700mm diameter, located outside an (c) falls within the ambit of urban area and traverses 8 activity 21 in this Notice, in watercourses. which case that activity applies The Raw Water Pipeline B (from the dam to the WTW) is approximately 847m in length, with a width of 700mm diameter, located outside an urban area, and traverses 1 watercourse. The Bhisho Potable Water Pipeline is approximately 15km in length, with a width ranging between 500mm to 700mm diameter, located inside and outside an urban area, within and outside a
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Listed Activity i.t.o. Listed Activity i.t.o. Description June 2010 EIA Regulations December 2014 EIA Regulations road reserve and traverses 10 watercourses. The Berlin Potable Water Pipeline is approximately 14.4km in length, 500mm diameter width, located inside and outside an urban area, within and outside a road reserve and traverses 11 watercourses. The Mjali Gravity Pipeline is approximately 780m in length, 350mm diameter width, located outside an urban area and traverses one watercourse. The Rising Main from Mjali Borehole to Nompumelelo Reservoir is approximately 1.7km in length, a 400mm diameter width, located outside an urban area and traverses one watercourse. The Border Post Gravity Main is approximately 4.4km in length, 250mm diameter width, located outside an urban area and traverses 6 watercourses. The Border Post Rising Main is approximately 1.6km in length, 400mm diameter width, located outside an urban area and traveses 2 watercourses. GN R.544: Activity 22 GN R.983: Activity 24 The construction of haul roads The construction of a road, The development of— and access roads to the outside urban areas, (i) a road for which an proposed WTW and raw water (i) with a reserve wider than environmental authorisation storage dam, located outside 13,5 meters or, was obtained for the route of urban areas. (ii) where no reserve exists determination in terms of Access / haul roads required where the road is wider than 8 activity 5 in Government for the various pipelines (Raw metres, or Notice 387 of 2006 or activity Water Pipelines, Bhisho and Berlin Potable Water Pipeline, (iii) for which an 18 in Government Notice 545 Mjali Gravity Pipeline, Rising environmental authorisation of 2010; or Main from Mjali Borehole to was obtained for the route (ii) a road with a reserve wider Nompumelelo Reservoir, , determination in terms of than 13,5 meters, or where no Border Post Gravity Main and activity 5 in Government reserve exists where the road Border Post Rising Main). Notice 387 of 2006 or activity is wider than 8 metres; 18 in Notice 545 of 2010. but excluding— (a) roads which are identified and included in activity 27 in Listing Notice 2 of 2014; or (b) roads where the entire
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Listed Activity i.t.o. Listed Activity i.t.o. Description June 2010 EIA Regulations December 2014 EIA Regulations road falls within an urban area. No similar listed activity in GN R.983: Activity 27 The proposed WTW and raw GNR544 The clearance of an area of 1 water storage dam are hectares or more, but less located outside an urban area than 20 hectares of and will be approximately indigenous vegetation, except 19ha in extent. where such clearance of The Berlin Reservoirs (4.9 indigenous vegetation is Ml) will cover an area of required for— approximately 0.5ha. (i) the undertaking of a linear The 3Ml reservoir at the activity; or Nompumelelo reservoir site (ii) maintenance purposes will cover an area of undertaken in accordance approximately 0.36ha. with a maintenance The 6Ml reservoir at the management plan. Border Post reservoir site will cover an area of approximately 0.64ha. GN R.544: Activity 23 GN R.983: Activity 28 The proposed WTW and raw The transformation of Residential, mixed, retail, water storage dam are undeveloped, vacant or commercial, industrial or located outside an urban area derelict land to – (ii) institutional developments and will be approximately residential, retail, commercial, where such land was used for 19ha in extent. recreational, industrial or agriculture or afforestation on The Berlin Reservoirs (4.9 institutional use, outside an or after 01 April 1998 and Ml) will cover an area of urban area and where the where such development: approximately 0.5ha. total area to be transformed is (i) will occur inside an urban The 3Ml reservoir at the Mjali bigger than 1 hectare but less area, where the total land to reservoir site will cover an than 20 hectares; except be developed is bigger than 5 area of approximately 0.36ha. where such transformation hectares; or The 6Ml reservoir at the takes place – (i) for linear (ii) will occur outside an urban Nompumelelo reservoir site activities; or (ii) for purposes area, where the total land to will cover an area of of agriculture or afforestation, be developed is bigger than 1 approximately 0.64ha. in which case Activity 16 of hectare; A 6Ml reservoir at the Border Notice No. R. 545 applies. excluding where such land Post reservoir site will cover has already been developed an area of approximately for residential, mixed, retail, 0.64ha. commercial, industrial or institutional purposes GN R.544: Activity 56 GN R.983: Activity 67 Construction will be in a Phased activities for all Phased activities for all phased manner: activities listed in this activities— Phase 1a: Schedule, which commenced i. listed in this Notice, which Water treatment works: The on or after the effective date commenced on or after the first of three 16Mℓ/d WTW of this Schedule, where any effective date of this Notice; or modules to be constructed; one phase of the activity may ii. similarly listed in any of the Raw water supply to WTW be below a threshold but previous NEMA notices, which and bulk potable water supply where a combination of the commenced on or after the to Bhisho; phases, including expansions effective date of such previous Raw water storage dam: The or extensions, will exceed a NEMA Notices; first phase with a capacity of specified threshold; excluding where any phase of the 407Mℓ. the following activities listed in activity may be below a this Schedule: 2; 11(i)-(vii); Phase 1b: threshold but where a 16(i)-(iv); 17; 19; 20; 22(i) & Bulk potable water supply to combination of the phases,
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Listed Activity i.t.o. Listed Activity i.t.o. Description June 2010 EIA Regulations December 2014 EIA Regulations 22(iii); 25; 26; 27(iii) & (iv); 28; including expansions or Berlin. 39; 45(i)-(iv) & (vii)-(xv); 50; extensions, will exceed a Phase 2: 51; 53; and 54. specified threshold; Water treatment works: The excluding the following second of three 16 Mℓ/d WTW activities listed in this Notice— modules to be constructed; 17(i)(a-d); 17(ii)(a-d); 17(iii)(a- Phase 3: d); 17(iv)(a-d); 17(v)(a-d); Water treatment works: The 20; 21; 22; 24(i); 29; 30; 31; third 16 Mℓ /d WTW module to 32; 34; 54(i)(a-d); 54(ii)(a-d); be constructed; 54(iii)(a-d); 54(iv)(a-d); Berlin reservoir complex & 54(v)(a-d); 55; 61; 62; 64; and pump house: A reservoir with 65. a capacity of 4 Mℓ will be constructed at ground level along with two 450 kℓ elevated tanks. The pump house required to lift water from the ground reservoir to the two elevated reservoirs will also be constructed; Berlin elevated tank pump station; Raw water storage dam: Expansion of the raw water storage dam, for a total capacity of 609Mℓ GN R.545: Activity 5 GN R.984: Activity 6 Discharge of wastewater from The construction of facilities or The development of facilities the WTW and silt waste infrastructure for any process or infrastructure for any lagoons may require a Water or activity which requires a process or activity which Use Licence. permit or licence in terms of requires a permit or licence in national or provincial terms of national or provincial legislation governing the legislation governing the generation or release of generation or release of emissions, pollution or effluent emissions, pollution or and which is not identified in effluent, excluding─ Notice No. 544 of 2010 or (i) activities which are included in the list of waste identified and included in management activities Listing Notice 1 of 2014; published in terms of Section (ii) activities which are 19 of the National included in the list of waste Environmental Management: management activities Waste Act, 2008 (Act No 59 of published in terms of section 2008) in which case that Act 19 of the National will apply. Environmental Management: Waste Act, 2008 (Act No. 59 of 2008) in which case the National Environmental Management: Waste Act, 2008 applies; or (iii) the development of facilities or infrastructure for the treatment of effluent, wastewater or sewage where such facilities have a daily throughput capacity of 2000
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Listed Activity i.t.o. Listed Activity i.t.o. Description June 2010 EIA Regulations December 2014 EIA Regulations cubic metres or less. GN R.545: Activity 10 GN R.984: Activity 11 Construction of the raw water The construction of facilities or The development of facilities bulk pipeline to allow for infrastructure for the transfer or infrastructure for the transfer of water of 57.6 to 69 of 50,000m3 or more water transfer of 50 000 cubic Ml/d. per day, from and to or metres or more water per day, between any combination of from and to or between any the following: combination of the following (i) water catchments, (i) water catchments; (ii) water treatment works, (ii) water treatment works; or (iii) impoundments, excluding (iii) impoundments; treatment works where water excluding treatment works is to be treated for drinking where water is to be treated purposes. for drinking purposes GN R.545: Activity 15 GN R.984: Activity 15 The raw water storage dam Physical alteration of The clearance of an area of has an estimated footprint of undeveloped, vacant or 20 hectares or more of 15ha. derelict land for residential, indigenous vegetation, The WTW has an estimated retail, commercial, excluding where such footprint of 4.1 ha. recreational, industrial or clearance of indigenous The Berlin Reservoirs (4.9 institutional use where the vegetation is required for— Ml) will cover an area of total area to be transformed is (i) the undertaking of a linear approximately 0.5ha. 20 hectares or more, except activity; or The 3Ml reservoir at the Mjali where such physical alteration (ii) maintenance purposes reservoir site will cover an takes place for undertaken in accordance area of approximately 0.36ha. (i) linear development with a maintenance The 6Ml reservoir at the activities, or management plan Nompumelelo reservoir site (ii) agriculture or afforestation will cover an area of where activity 16 in this approximately 0.64ha. Schedule will apply A 6Ml reservoir at the Border Post reservoir site will cover an area of approximately 0.64ha GN R.545: Activity 19 GN R.984: Activity 16 Construction of a raw water The construction of a dam, The development of a dam storage dam with phase 1 where the highest part of the where the highest part of the capacity of 407Mℓ, and phase dam wall, as measured from dam wall, as measured from 2 capacity of 202Ml; giving a the outside toe of the wall to the outside toe of the wall to total capacity of 609Mℓ. The the highest part of the wall is 5 the highest part of the wall, is height of the dam walls will be m or higher or where the high 5 metres or higher or where 11m, and the dams will cover water mark of the dam covers the high-water mark of the an area of approximately an area of 10 ha or more. dam covers an area of 10 15ha. hectares or more. GN R.546: Activity 2 GN R.985: Activity 2 The Mjali reservoir (3Ml), The construction of reservoirs The development of reservoirs Nompumelelo reservoir for bulk water supply with a for bulk water supply with a (6Ml), Hanover reservoir capacity of more than 250 capacity of more than 250 (600kl) are located within a cubic metres. cubic metres CBA 2 area of the ECBCP. a) In Eastern Cape, … (b) In Eastern Cape: iii. Outside urban areas, in: … iii. Outside urban areas, in: The Berlin Reservoirs (4.9 (dd) Critical biodiversity areas (dd) Critical biodiversity areas Ml) are located outside of a as identified in systematic as identified in systematic CBA area per the Eastern biodiversity plans adopted by biodiversity plans adopted by Cape Biodiversity
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Listed Activity i.t.o. Listed Activity i.t.o. Description June 2010 EIA Regulations December 2014 EIA Regulations the competent authority or in the competent authority or in Conservation Plan (ECBCP). bioregional plans. bioregional plans; The Border Post reservoir (6Ml) is not located within a CBA 2 area of the ECBCP. GN R.546: Activity 4 GN R.985: Activity 4 The construction of haul roads The construction of a road The development of a road and access roads along the wider than 4 metres with a wider than 4 metres with a pipeline route, traversing reserve less than 13,5 metres. reserve less than 13,5 metres within a terrestrial CBA 2 area a) In Eastern Cape, … (b) In Eastern Cape: as per the Eastern Cape Biodiversity Conservation ii. Outside urban areas, in: … ii. Outside urban areas, in: (dd) Critical biodiversity areas Plan, include the following (ee) Critical biodiversity areas pipeline routes: as identified in systematic as identified in systematic Bhisho Potable Water biodiversity plans adopted by biodiversity plans adopted by Pipeline. the competent authority or in the competent authority or in bioregional plans. bioregional plans; Berlin Potable Water Pipeline Rising Main from Mjali Borehole to Nompumelelo Reservoir Hanover Pipeline Border Post Gravity Main
GN R.546: Activity 12 GN R.985: Activity 12 The clearance of vegetation The clearance of an area of The clearance of an area of for the construction of 300 square metres or more of 300 square metres or more of pipelines, haul roads and vegetation where 75% or indigenous vegetation except access roads along the more of the vegetative cover where such clearance of pipeline route, traversing constitutes indigenous indigenous vegetation is within a terrestrial CBA 2 area vegetation. required for maintenance as per the Eastern Cape (b) Within critical biodiversity purposes undertaken in Biodiversity Conservation areas identified in bioregional accordance with a Plan. plans. maintenance management Pipeline routes include: plan. Bhisho Potable Water (a) In Eastern Cape, Pipeline. ii. Within critical biodiversity Berlin Potable Water Pipeline areas identified in bioregional Rising Main from Mjali plans; Borehole to Nompumelelo iv. On land, where, at the time Reservoir of the coming into effect of Hanover Pipeline this Notice or thereafter such Border Post Gravity Main land was zoned open space, Reservoir sites include: conservation or had an equivalent zoning Mjali reservoir site will cover an area of approximately 0.36ha Nompumelelo reservoir site will cover an area of approximately 0.64ha, Hanover reservoir site will cover an area of approximately 100m2 GN R.546: Activity 13 See above listed activity 12 The clearance of vegetation The clearance of an area of 1 for the construction of hectare or more of vegetation pipelines, haul roads and where 75% or more of the access roads along the
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Listed Activity i.t.o. Listed Activity i.t.o. Description June 2010 EIA Regulations December 2014 EIA Regulations vegetative cover constitutes pipeline route, traversing indigenous vegetation, within a terrestrial CBA 2 area except where such removal of as per the Eastern Cape vegetation is required for: Biodiversity Conservation (1) the undertaking of a Plan. process or activity included in Pipeline routes include: the list of waste management Bhisho Potable Water activities published in terms of Pipeline. section 19 of the National Berlin Potable Water Pipeline Environmental Management: Rising Main from Mjali Waste Act, 2008 (Act No. 59 Borehole to Nompumelelo of 2008), in which case the Reservoir activity is regarded to be Hanover Pipeline excluded from this list. Border Post Gravity Main (2) the undertaking of a linear activity falling below the Reservoir sites include: thresholds mentioned in Mjali reservoir site will cover Listing Notice 1 in terms of an area of approximately GN No. 544 of 2010. 0.36ha (a) Critical biodiversity areas Nompumelelo reservoir site and ecological support areas will cover an area of as identified in systematic approximately 0.64ha, biodiversity plans adopted by Hanover reservoir site will the competent authority. cover an area of approximately 100m2 GN R.546: Activity 14 See above listed activity 12 The clearance of vegetation The clearance of an area of 5 for the construction of hectares or more of pipelines, haul roads and vegetation where 75% or access roads along the more of the vegetative cover pipeline route, traversing constitutes indigenous within a terrestrial CBA 2 area vegetation, as per the Eastern Cape except where such removal Biodiversity Conservation of vegetation is required for: Plan. (1) purposes of agriculture or Pipeline routes include: afforestation inside areas Bhisho Potable Water identified in spatial Pipeline. instruments adopted by the Berlin Potable Water Pipeline competent authority for Rising Main from Mjali agriculture or afforestation Borehole to Nompumelelo inside areas identified in Reservoir spatial instruments adopted Hanover Pipeline by the competent authority for Border Post Gravity Main agriculture or afforestation purposes; Reservoir sites include: (2) the undertaking of a Mjali reservoir site will cover process or activity included in an area of approximately the list of waste management 0.36ha activities published in terms of Nompumelelo reservoir site section 19 of the National will cover an area of Environmental Management: approximately 0.64ha, Waste Act, 2008 (Act No. 59 Hanover reservoir site will of 2008) in which case the cover an area of 2 activity is regarded to be approximately 100m excluded from this list;
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Listed Activity i.t.o. Listed Activity i.t.o. Description June 2010 EIA Regulations December 2014 EIA Regulations (3) the undertaking of a linear activity falling below the thresholds in Notice 544 of 2010. (a) In Eastern Cape, … i. All areas outside urban areas. GN R.546: Activity 17 GN R.985: Activity 16 The Mjali reservoir (3Ml), The expansion of reservoirs The expansion of reservoirs Nompumelelo reservoir for bulk water supply where for bulk water supply where (6Ml), Hanover reservoir the capacity will be increased the capacity will be increased (600kl) are located within a by more than 250 cubic by more than 250 cubic CBA 2 area of the ECBCP. metres. metres a) In Eastern Cape, … (a) In Eastern Cape,: The Berlin Reservoirs (4.9 i. Outside urban areas, in: … i. Outside urban areas, in: Ml) are located outside of a (ff) Critical biodiversity areas (ff) Critical biodiversity areas CBA area per the Eastern as identified in systematic as identified in systematic Cape Biodiversity biodiversity plans adopted by biodiversity plans adopted by Conservation Plan (ECBCP). the competent authority or in the competent authority or in The Border Post reservoir bioregional plans. bioregional plans. (6Ml) is not located within a CBA 2 area of the ECBCP.
The process to be followed in the application for an Environmental Authorisation regarding activities listed in GNR 544, GNR 545 and GNR 546 is a Scoping and EIA process, as described in the EIA Regulations, 2010, published in terms of Section 24(5) of the NEMA.
3.2 National Environmental Management Waste Act
The National Environmental Management: Waste Act, 2008 (Act No. 59 of 2008) (NEM:WA) as amended, regulates waste management in order to protect human and environmental health, by providing reasonable measures for the prevention of pollution and ecological degradation, and for securing ecologically sustainable development. It also provides for national norms and standards for regulating the management of waste by all spheres of government, providing for specific waste management measures for licensing and the control of waste management and remediation activities associated with contaminated land. This legislation provides for compliance and enforcement of the above requirements.
The proposed Kei Road WTW and Conveyance includes activities listed in Category A of Government Notice (GN) 921 of 29 November 2013, published in terms of Section 19(1) of the NEM:WA. These activities relate to waste management activities that may have a detrimental effect on the environment and for which authorisation is required in the form of a Waste Management Licence. The relevant waste management activities are listed in Table 3-2.
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Table 3-2: Waste Activities Listed Activity i.t.o. November Description 2013 Waste Regulations Category A: 3(1) Silt waste will be sent to process silt lagoons. Three lagoons will be provided for the three phases. The storage of general waste in The Phase 1 lagoon consists of four compartments, lagoons. catering to the Phase 1 loading only, with a wet loading period of 3 months per compartment, and a drying period of 9 months. Thus the compartments are sized for a 12 month period, with three-monthly silt removal periods proposed. For Phases 2 and 3, the loading on the silt lagoons will be reviewed and the future lagoons will be sized accordingly. It is anticipated that the design for Phase 1 is very conservative and that the lagoon requirements for Phase 2 and Phase 3 will be much less than was allowed for in Phase 1. Category A: 3(6) Silt drying forms part of the overall water treatment works, The treatment of general waste and may be in excess of 10 tons but less than 100 tons. using any form of treatment at a facility that has the capacity to process in excess of 10 tons but less than 100 tons. Category A: 3(12) Construction of the process silt lagoons. The construction of a facility for a waste management activity listed in Category A of this Schedule (not in isolation to associated waste management activity).
The process to be followed in the application for a Waste Management Licence regarding activities listed in Categories A is a Basic Assessment process, as described in the EIA Regulations, 2010, published in terms of Section 24(5) of the NEMA. However, as an integrated application for environmental authorization has been applied for, the process to be undertaken is a Scoping and EIA due to the EIA listed activities triggered.
3.3 National Water Act
The National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998) (NWA) aims to regulate the use of water and activities, which may impact on water resources through the categorisation of ‘listed water uses’ encompassing water abstraction, flow attenuation within catchments, construction within the floodlines of a river as well as the potential contamination of water resources. The NWA provides for tiered regulatory control over 11 water uses, as identified in Section 21 of the NWA. A person who wishes to use or who uses water in a manner that is not covered under Schedule 1, General Authorisations, or in a manner that is not regarded or declared as an existing lawful use, may only use that water under the authority of a Water Use Licence.
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The NWA also provides for pollution prevention measures, with particular emphasis on water resource pollution. In accordance, the licensee shall ensure that activities impacting upon water resources and effluent releases are monitored for compliance with the applicable regulations. Emergency incidents involving water resources are included in the Act, requiring the polluter to remediate and mitigate the impacts of such an emergency incident.
In terms of Chapter 12 of the National Water Act, this dam would be classified as a “dam with a safety risk”, as it is more than 5 m high and stores more than 50 000 m3 of water. Such a dam must be registered and classified with the Dam Safety Office, and the design and construction monitoring must be carried out under supervision of an Approved Professional Person (APP).
The following water use activities (Table 3-3) will be applicable and as a result, a Water Use Licence is required from the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS).
Table 3-3: NWA Section 21 Activities Activity Number Description of Activity Section 21: a Abstraction of water Section 21: b Storage of water Section 21: c Impeding or diverting the flow of water in a watercourse. Section 21: f Discharging waste or water containing waste into a water resource through a pipe, canal, sewer, sea outfall or other conduit Section 21: g Disposing of waste in a manner which may detrimentally impact on a water resource. Section 21: i Altering the bed, banks, course or characteristics of a watercourse Section 21: j Removing, discharging or disposing of water found underground if it is necessary for the efficient continuation of an activity or for the safety of people.
In terms of the NWA, provision has however been made to allow for certain water uses to be authorised under Section 39 of NWA (General Authorisations) without going through the water use licensing procedure, provided that the thresholds and conditions of the applicable General Authorisations are adhered to. However as the proposed project falls within 500m of a boundary of a wetland, Water Use Licence will be required.
3.4 Minerals and Petroleum Resources Act
The Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (Act 28 of 2002) (M&PRDA), as amended, provides for the ecologically sustainable development of mineral resources by integrating social, economic and environmental factors into the planning and implementation of mining projects. Section 38 provides for environmental authorisations and approved EMPRs for mining operations.
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Materials required for the construction of the raw water storage dam wall will be obtained from the dam basin.
3.5 National Heritage Resources Act
The National Heritage Resources Act, 1999 (Act No. 25 of 1999) (NHRA) directs the protection and management of the heritage resources in South Africa. This legislation serves as guidelines to the heritage resource management authorities in South Africa which developers and other authorities must exercise their discretion or take decisions in terms of the NHRA. A variety of formal protection measures, ranging from protection of national and provincial heritage sites, protected areas, provisional protection, inclusion on the heritage register of a province, heritage areas and heritage objects have been included in the NHRA. A number of other protection measures, including the legal protection of paleontological and archaeological sites (including rock art) and meteorites, burial grounds and graves, structures older than 60 years and public monuments and memorials are also in place.
Section 38 of the NHRA refers to the activities that require correspondence with the South African Heritage Resource Agency (SAHRA) and/or the Eastern Cape Provincial Heritage Resource Authority (ECPHRA) and Heritage Impact Assessments (HIA). The following activities listed in Table 3-4 apply to the proposed Kei Road WTW and Conveyance.
Table 3-4: Heritage Activities Activity Number Description of Activity Section 38: a The construction of a road, wall, power line, pipeline, canal or other similar form of linear development or barrier exceeding 300m in length. Section 38: c Any development or other activity which will change the character of a site (i) exceeding 5,000m2 in extent. Section 38: d The re-zoning of a site exceeding 10 000 m2 in extent. Section 38: e Any other category of development provided for in regulations by SAHRA or a provincial heritage resources authority.
3.6 Legislation Relating to the Protection of Threatened and Protected Species
The National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act (Act 10 of 2004) (NEMBA) provides for the management and conservation of South Africa’s biodiversity within the framework of NEMA. This involves the protection of species and ecosystems that warrant national protection, the sustainable use of indigenous biological resources, the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from bio-prospecting involving indigenous biological resources. The NEMBA also provides for the establishment and functions of a South African National Biodiversity Institute.
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The National Forest Act (Act 84 of 1998) (NFA) recognises that natural forests and woodlands form an important part of the environment and need to be conserved and developed according to the principles of sustainable management. The NFA in this regard protects indigenous trees from destruction, damage or removal.
The Nature and Environmental Conservation Ordinance (No 19 of 1974) (NECO) provides for the protection of species. In terms of the proposed project any protected and/or threatened species that has been published under the above legislation will require permits prior to the removal thereof.
3.7 South African National Roads Agency Limited and National Roads Act
The South African National Roads Agency Limited and National Roads Act (Act 7 of 1998) [NRA] makes provision (amongst others) for a national roads agency to manage and control South Africa’s national road system, to prescribe measures and requirements regarding the policy concerning nationals roads, as well as the use and protection of national roads.
The NRA defines a building restriction area as being land (excluding land in an urban area) a) situated alongside a national road within a distance of 60m from the boundary of the national road; or b) situated within a distance of 500m from any point of intersection.
Chapter 5 of the NRA contains the official policies on, and declaration, use and protection of national roads. Section 44 indicates that any entrance to or access from a national road needs to be authorized by the South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL). Such authorisation must be in writing and SANRAL may include conditions that it considers desirable. Conditions may be related to the nature of the entrance or exit, the place where or manner in which the entrance or exit may be constructed or its use. Section 45 relates to the permission required from SANRAL for the closure of a national road or diversion of traffic on a national road. Section 46 indicates that no person may damage a national road willfully or negligently. Land owners or occupiers of land adjoining a national road must ensure measures are taken that are reasonably necessary to prevent the occurrence of damage to a national road and to refrain from doing or permitting anything on or below the surface of that land which is likely to cause damage to that national road. Section 47 relates to stormwater discharge from a national road onto land adjoining a national road. Section 48 indicates that written permission is to be obtained from SANRAL for any activities on or over, or below the surface of a national road or within the building restriction area. SANRAL may also refuse the application for such activities. In providing permission, SANRAL may prescribe specifications, manner and circumstances in the activities may be undertaken and obligations to be fulfilled by the land owner. Section 49 refers to the division of land and that a surveyor-general
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may only approve division on approval from SANRAL. The SANRAL approval may include conditions relating to prohibiting further division, limiting land use, limiting the number or extent of buildings or other structures or prohibiting structures either on, over or below the surface of land within a specified distance from a national road.
Permission will thus be required from SANRAL for the pipeline routes where these structures fall within the building restriction area of the R63 (i.e. 60m from the boundary of the national road; or 500m from any point of intersection) and where the pipelines would cross the R63 (national road). Permission would also be required for a new access road to the raw water dams and WTW and for any subdivision of land. Stormwater discharge from the R63 will need to be considered in the area for the raw water dams and WTW.
3.8 General Overview of Relevant Legislation
A limited scoping of relevant legislation was undertaken in order to identify only the key legal issues related to the proposed project. Applicable legislation, which must be considered by the Applicant (i.e. BCMM) during the implementation of the proposed project is summarised in Table 3-5.
Table 3-5: Summary of Applicable Legislation Legislation Sections Relates to Chapter 2 Bill of Rights Section 24 Environmental rights The Constitution (No Section 25 Rights in property 108 of 1996) Section 32 Administrative justice Section 33 Access to information Defines the strategic environmental management goals, principles and objectives of the government. Applies Section 2 throughout the Republic to the actions of all organs of state that may significantly affect the environment. National Environmental Provides for the prohibition, restriction and control of Management Act (No Section 24 activities which are likely to have a detrimental effect on 107 of 1998) as the environment. amended The developer has a general duty to care for the Section 28 environment and to institute such measures as may be needed to demonstrate such care. Control of emergency incidents and duties of persons Section 30 responsible. These sections deal with the listing of species that are Sections 56 threatened or in need of national protection and restricted and 57 activities involving listed threatened or protected species. National Environmental These sections deal with restricted activities involving alien Management: Sections 65- species; restricted activities involving certain alien species Biodiversity Act, 2004 69 totally prohibited; and duty of care relating to alien species. (Act 10 of 2004) These sections deal with restricted activities involving Sections 71 listed invasive species and duty of care relating to listed and 73 invasive species. Conservation of Implementation of control measures for alien and invasive Agricultural Resources Section 5, 6 plant species, especially in urban areas. Act (No 43 of 1983) and Control of wetland areas including rehabilitation thereof regulations National Water Act (No Section 19 Prevention and remedying the effects of pollution. 36 of 1998) and Section 20 Control of emergency incidents. regulations Section 21 Use of water and licensing.
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Legislation Sections Relates to No person may, without a permit issued by the responsible heritage resources authority destroy, damage, excavate, Section 35 alter, deface or otherwise disturb any archaeological or paleontological site. No person may, without a permit issued by the South African Heritage Resource Agency (SAHRA) or a provincial heritage resources authority destroy, damage, National Heritage alter, exhume, remove from its original position or Resources Act (No 25 otherwise disturb any grave or burial ground older than 60 of 1999) Section 36 years which is situated outside a formal cemetery administered by a local authority. "Grave" is widely defined in the Act to include the contents, headstone or other marker of such a place, and any other structure on or associated with such place. This section provides for Heritage Impact Assessments Section 38 (HIA. Section 32 Control of dust National Environmental Section 34 Control of noise Management: Air Section 35 Control of offensive odours Quality Act (No 39 of Chapter 5 Licensing of listed activities 2004) Schedule 2 Ambient air quality standards Highlights the objectives and principles of the Act for Section 2 protecting health, wellbeing and the environment by providing reasonable measures. National Environmental No person may commence, undertake or conduct a waste Management: Waste management activity, except in accordance with: Act (No. 59 of 2008) the requirements or standards prescribed by said Act Section 20 and regulations; and a waste management licence issued in respect of that activity, if a licence is required. Occupational Health Section 8 General duties of employers to their employees. and Safety Act (No 85 General duties of employers and self employed persons to Section 9 of 1993) and regulations persons other than their employees. Any person erecting a boundary fence may clean any bush along the line of the fence up to 1.5 metres on each side Fencing Act (No 31 of thereof and remove any tree standing in the immediate line Section 17 1963) of the fence. However, this provision must be read in conjunction with the environmental legal provisions relevant to the protection of flora. Hazardous Substances Provides for the definition, classification, use, operation, modification, Act (No 15 of 1973) and disposal or dumping of hazardous substances. regulations Fertilisers, Farm Feeds, Control of the use of registered pesticides, herbicides Agricultural Remedies Sections 3 (weed killers) and fertilisers. Special precautions must be and Stock Remedies to 10 taken to prevent workers from being exposed to chemical Act (No 36 of 1947) and substances in this regard. regulations Permissions required from SANRAL for structures within South African National the building restriction area of a national road (i.e. 60m Roads Agency Limited from the boundary of the national road; or 500m from any Chapter 5 and National Road Act point of intersection) and/or crossing a national road as (No 7 of 1998) well as for subdivision of land adjacent to a national road and for a new access road from a national road. National Road Traffic Act (No 93 of 1996) and Section 54 Transportation of dangerous goods. regulations Promotes and regulates the formation of fire protection Chapter 2 associations which aim to manage and coordinate fire National Veld and protection and fire services in an area. Forest Fire Act (No 101 Organizations are required to make and maintain of 1998) firebreaks and fire fighting equipment and personnel Chapter 4, 5 should a risk exist that a fire may start or spread from the premises. National Forest Act (No No person may cut, disturb, damage or destroy any Section 7 84 of 1998) protected tree except if a permit has issued.
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Legislation Sections Relates to Water Services Act (No 108 of 1997) and Section 7 Effluent acceptance from Local Authority. regulations National Building Regulations and Section 4 Local Authority approval of plans to erect buildings. Building Standards Act (No 103 of 1977) Minerals and Petroleum Resources Section 38, Provisions for approved EMPr, closure objectives and Development Act and 43 closure plans for a mining area. regulations (Mo 28 of 2002)
3.9 Guideline Documents
The following guideline documents have been considered during the process:
a) Companion to the National Environmental Management Act Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations of 2010, Integrated Environmental Management Guideline Series 5, 2010, Department of Environmental Affairs, Pretoria.
b) Public Participation in the EIA Process, Integrated Environmental Management Guideline Series 7, 2010, Department of Environmental Affairs, Pretoria.
c) Draft Waste Classification and Management Regulations (GN 435), 2011, Department of Environmental Affairs, Pretoria.
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Chapter 4
CHAPTER 4: DESCRIPTION OF AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT
4.1 Regional and Local Context
The proposed project is located within the Eastern Cape, extending over the borders of Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (Wards 43 and 45), Amathole District Municipality and Amahlati Local Municipality (Wards 8 and 9). The proposed route for the water pipelines will be from the Wriggleswade Transfer Canal to the proposed WTW at Border Post, and from the WTW through to Bhisho and Berlin. Refer to Figure 4-1 for the locality map.
4.2 Climate
The area from Kei Road through to Bhisho and Berlin experiences mainly summer rainfall, with the annual precipitation varying between 700mm to 900mm. The average summer temperatures range between 25°C to 28°C and during winter between 3°C and 9°C (Mucina and Rutherford, 2006).
4.3 Topography
The topography varies from relatively flat areas and gentle slopes to steep slopes. Refer to Figure 4-2. The topography is generally undulating from the Berlin Reservoir Complex to the intersection with the R63 to Kei Road just north of the All Saints Reservoir Complex. The topography changes to slightly undulating increasing in elevation to the proposed new Kei Road WTW and raw water storage dam. At the proposed WTW and raw water storage dam, the site slopes gently towards the east steepening closer towards existing drainage channels. The natural ground elevation decreases from the proposed WTW towards an existing drainage feature and thereafter increasing steadily towards the Wriggleswade outfall canal (Cock, 2014a and b).
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Figure 4-1: Locality Map
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Figure 4-2: Topography and Geology
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4.4 Geology and Soils
The underlying geology is characterised by green-grey with subordinate red interbeds mudstone with subordinate light grey sandstone (of the Adelaide Subgroup, Beaufort Group, Karoo Supergroup) intruded by Karoo dolerite sills and dykes. No faults are present within the area. Lineaments are defined by the general north east – south west and south east – north west aligned dykes located to the north, east and south of the project site (Cock, 2014a and b, Mucina and Rutherford, 2006). Refer to Figure 4-2.
The soils are from colluvium, ferricrete and residual soil of the Balfour Formation sandstone, mudstone and Karoo dolerite (Cock, 2014a and b). Erosion is low to moderate.
4.5 Water Resources / Aquatic Environment
4.5.1 Quaternary Catchment and Aquatic Critical Biodiversity Areas
The Raw Water Pipelines, WTW, Raw Water Storage Dam and the majority of the Potable Water Pipelines falls within the R20E quaternary catchment. The Berlin reservoirs and a portion of the Berlin Potable Water Pipeline falls within the R30E quaternary catchment. The All Saints reservoirs fall within the R20B quaternary catchment. Refer to Figure 4-3.
The proposed project does not fall within an aquatic Critical Biodiversity Areas (CBAs). An Aquatic CBA1 is located directly to the south of the Berlin reservoirs and proposed pipeline at Berlin. Refer to Figure 4-3.
4.5.2 Groundwater
In the overall region of the BCMM, the groundwater potential is generally low (below 2 l/s) and high in salinity. The groundwater potential increases in the north western region of the BCMM (i.e. Peelton villages) (IDP, 2014).
4.5.1 Watercourses
There are a number of perennial and non-perennial watercourses within the project area (i.e. either in close proximity to or where the pipelines traverses over a watercourse). According to the National Freshwater Ecosystems Priority Area (NFEPA) (BGIS), the Incemerha / Yellowwoods River is the only river system listed on the NFEPA database. Other perennial watercourses include the Henyane, KwaNkwebu and Kwagana watercourses. Refer to Figure 4-3.
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Figure 4-3: Water Resource / Aquatic Environment
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Figure 4-4 shows the non-perennial watercourse, tributary of the Henyane River, located at the proposed raw water dam site.
Figure 4-4: Non-Perennial Tributary of Henyane River
The Incemerha / Yellowwoods River system is rated as having a Present Ecological State (PES) of D (largely Modified) due to the current state of the environment (grazing, dryland farming, roads, housing, erosion, bush encroachment and numerous farm dams). The Ecological Importance (EI) & Ecological Sensitivity (ES) were both rated as High due to the presence of potential habitat of the Red Data fish Sandelia bainsii (Eastern Cape Rocky). This fish species is endemic to the Eastern Cape region and is listed as Endangered. A River Health Biomonitoring site is located at the Incemerha / Yellowwoods River, monitored by the Department of Water and Sanitation. This site is located at the road bridge near Hanover within the central portion of study area (refer to Figure 4-5 and 4-6), where this particular fish species has been observed in the past (Colloty, 2014).
The existing instream aquatic habitats in the KwaNkwebu River still appear highly suitable for Sandelia bainsii. The PES of the upper KwaNkwebu is considered to be in a C Ecological Category, which is described as “moderately modified, where some loss and change of natural habitat and biota have occurred but the basic ecosystem functions are still predominantly unchanged.” The Sandelia bainsii surviving in the Yellowwoods River system and particularly those (possibly) present in the KwaNkwebu tributary, have considerable conservation value. The ecological importance and sensitivity (EIS) of the upper KwaNkwebu and is thus considered high (Bok, 2015). Yellowwood tree species (Podocarpus) are located along the watercourses.
Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM 97 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
Figure 4-5: Yellowwoods River at the Hanover / Lonsdale Bridge (facing north)
Figure 4-6: Yellowwoods River at the Hanover / Lonsdale Bridge (facing south west)
4.5.2 Wetlands
The majority (70%) of the wetland areas (as identified by the National Wetland Inventory and NFEPA database) are man-made (i.e. dams or quarries / borrow pits / sand winning), refer to Figure 4-3. While several of the wetland areas had been modified into dams (11.6%). This was particular true for the small depressions that area easily converted into dams or stock watering areas. Due to habitat modifiers or being man-made these systems have PES scores of D (largely modified (Colloty, 2014). Refer to Figure 4-7 for an example of a stock watering dam.
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Based on the 6 levels of the National Wetland Classification System (NWCS), the 11 remaining systems would be considered natural Inland wetland systems (Level 1), within the South-Eastern Coastal Ecoregion (Level 2). Wetland landscape units (Level 3) were thus valley floors depressions hydrogeomorphic units (Level 4). These wetlands are periodically wet on the surface, but in areas the soils remain saturated at the 50cm soil depth even during the drier winter periods (Level 5). The PES of these 11 systems are rated as B; and the EI and ES are rated as High, although low in plant species and habitat diversity, a number of birds (6 species) were observed roosting and breeding in these depressions (Colloty, 2014).
The majority of the vegetation evident is associated with degraded grassland and woodland thickets (refer to Figure 4-8). Wetland (obligate) species observed included the Bulrush (Typha capensis), sedges (Cyperus) and Setaria species. None of these species observed are listed within any National or Provincial species lists as protected thus will not require any relevant permits should they be removed or disturbed, although none of the waterbodies or their catchments will be disturbed (Colloty, 2014).
Figure 4-7: Example of a Stock Watering Dam
Figure 4-8: Potential Wetland within the overall area for the Proposed WTW & Raw Water Storage Dam
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4.6 Ecology / Terrestrial Environment
4.6.1 Vegetation
The proposed route alignment, WTW and raw water dam falls mainly within the Bhisho Thornveld vegetation type, and a small section of the proposed pipeline (308m) falls within the Albany Coastal Belt (refer to Figure 4-9). The Bhisho Thornveld conservation status is Least Threatened, with a conservation target of 25%. The protection status is hardly protected, with 2% protected. The Albany Coastal Belt conservation status is Least Threatened, with a conservation target of 19%. The protection status is poorly protected, with 1% protected (Mucina and Rutherford, 2006). According to the National Biodiversity Assessment 2011 (BGIS), there are no threatened ecosystems within the project area.
According to Mucina and Rutherford (2006) the Bhisho Thornveld is found on undulating to moderately steep slopes, and sometimes in shallow, incised drainage valleys. Open savanna is characterized by small trees of Acacia natalitia with a short to medium, dense, sour grassy understory, usually dominated by Themeda triandra when in good condition. A diversity of other woody species also occurs, often increasing under conditions of overgrazing. Mucina and Rutherford (2006) assume that the current vegetation mosaic so typical of Albany Coastal Belt is a creation of man and the original (pre-settlement in the early 1800s) vegetation was dominated by non-seasonal, dense thicket. The Albany Coastal Belt can be found on the gently to moderately undulating landscapes and dissected hilltop slopes close to the coast, dominated by short grasslands punctuated by scattered bush clumps or solitary Acacia natalitia trees.
The vegetation along the proposed Raw Water Pipeline route mostly comprises of grassland and scattered low Acacias, Vachellia natalitia, with occasional scattered clumps of thicket, mostly along a formerly excavated trench between RW Points 1 and 2. The grass sward is dense over much of these sections of the pipeline route although the area between RW Points 3 and 5 seemed not as dense due to grazing pressure. Grasses that dominate the vegetation along the Raw Water Pipeline route are primarily Eragrostis plana, E. curvula, Sporobolus africanus, Paspalum dilatatum and Digitaria eriantha together with other non-flowering species. Forbs were present with Conostomium natalensis, Richardia braziliensis and Centella asiatica being the most common but many others were also present including Senecio burchelli, S. polyanthemoides, S. ilicifolia, Berkheya bipinnatifida, B. rhapontica, Helichrysum spp., Monopsis scabra, Lobelia spp., Conyza bonariensis, Wahlenbergia krebsii and W. Stellarioides. The bushclumps were of mixed species composition including Burchellia bubalina, Coddia rudis, Trimeria trinervis, Gymnosporia buxifolia, Rubus rigidus, Searsia pallens, S. pyroides, S. rehmanniana, Rhoicissus tridentata, Scolopia zeyheri, Canthium ciliatum and Scutia myrtina amongst others (Jacobson, 2015). Yellowwood tree species (Podocarpus) are located along the watercourses.
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Figure 4-9: Terrestrial Environment: Vegetation and Ecosystem Status
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The vegetation at the proposed WTW and dam site as well as along the first stretch of the Bhisho Potable Water Pipeline route (Points 1 to 7) is very similar to that of the Raw Water Pipeline Route although the Acacia trees were more stunted at the proposed dam site. Thatching Grass Hyparrhenia hirta appeared to dominate the grasses which were mostly similar to that recorded previously and formed a very dense sward. Closer to an eroded drainage line, Hyparrhenia dregeana was common. A forb Centella asiatica was especially prevalent in the dam site area. Bushclumps were mostly absent at this site but a remnant was present in the vicinity of a homestead beyond the dam site but along the fence line of the road reserve. Plants recorded in the dam site but not elsewhere along the pipeline routes included Watsonia sp. cf pillansii, Bulbostylis complanata, Chaenostoma sp., Erica sp. cf caffra, Cliffortia ramosissima Vigna vexillata, Crassula pellucida ssp. brachypetala, Sebaea sedoides, Wahlenbergia juncea and a Panicum sp. amongst others. Beyond the dam site the grass sward was short inside the fence line due to the grazing of livestock and ruderals such as Richardia and Centella were very prevalent but the grasses increase in height with distance from the homestead. Many other species were recorded here and in the road verge including Jamesbrittenia sp., Sida dregei, Ciclospermum leptophyllum, Schoenoxiphium sp., Teucrium africanum, Nidorella resedifolia, Scabiosa columbaria and others. A large settlement is present on the north western side of the R63 opposite to the dam site and extending past this area in to the south (Jacobson, 2015).
Along the Bhisho Potable Water Pipeline, between Points 7 and 18 the vegetation is grassland, mostly 50-75 mm in height due to extensive grazing by livestock. The grass sward is comprised of the same species as identified previously, as well as Turpentine Grass Cymbopogon excavatus and Aristida congesta ssp barbicollis with scattered forbs such as Tephrosia capensis, Helichrysum aureo-nitens, H. auriceps, H. spp., Haplocarpha scaposa, Salvia stenophylla, Berkheya umbellata, Stoebe plumosa and others. In the area of the additional pipelines for the Majli Borehole, some contouring was noted that indicates former fallow fields (Jacobson, 2015).
Between Points 18 and 22, along the Bhisho Potable Water Pipeline, the vegetation is similar to that recorded previously except that some Black Wattle Acacia mearnsii are present as well as stunted Vachellia natalitia. The grass sward is approximately 40 cm tall with typical grasses as well as some Rhodes Grass Chloris gayanus introduced during previous disturbances. Forbs are scattered including ruderals such as Richardia braziliensis, Hypochoeris radicata together with Crassula tetragona ssp. acutifolia, Conyza ulmifolia, Chamaesyce inaequilatera and others. Substantial agricultural activities are present along here and fallow lands are present with Conyza bonariensis and other ruderals dominating the vegetation cover. In the area close to Point 22, the vegetation has been previously burnt and few grasses were flowering, these mostly similar to that recorded previously but including Fingerhuthia sesleriiformis and Cymbopogon pospischillii, the latter common. Most forbs are the same as that recorded previously but included species such as Boophane disticha,
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Bulbine narcissifolia, Asparagus suaveolens, Senecio coronatus - common, Berkheya sp., Hypoxis argenteus and Bergeranthus leightoniae (Jacobson, 2015).
The vegetation is dominated by low Acacias and Wattles which extend across a drainage line between the Bhisho Potable Water Pipeline Points 22 and 25. The vegetation between Points 25 and 26 (i.e. between the R63 and the All Saints Reservoirs) is short (< 10 cm tall) grassland with scattered taller Cymbopogon excavatus and Sporobolus pyramidalis. Grasses were mostly the same as that recorded previously with the exception of Themeda triandra. Several forb species were present but scattered in the grassland mostly the same as that recorded previously but included Thesium sp., Eriosema cordata, Crassula capitella ssp. nodulosa, Pelargonium sidoides, Gerbera piloselloides, Rhynchosia caribaea, Chaetacanthus setiger, Hermannis geniculata, Tephrosia lupinifolia and Gazania krebsiana (Jacobson, 2015).
The grassland along the Berlin Potable Water Pipeline Point 27 to the Hanover is short and dense but with a relatively poor forb species richness. There is mostly an absence of Hyparrhenia hirta along here. Some stunted Acacias Vachellia natalitia and Eucalyptus sp. are present but scattered. The forbs are similar to that recorded previously. Closer to a settlement the grass is grazed short by sheep. The vegetation beyond Hanover becomes more woody approaching a drainage line, the trees dominated by Acacias Vachellia natalitia. At the Hilltop Empowerment Centre the grass sward is short and of mixed species composition similar to that recorded previously. Forbs such as Helichrysum spp., Centella asiatica, Conyza ulmifolia, Teucrium africanum, Selago sp., and Bulbine narcissifolia were recorded. Vachellia natalitia was common along the road reserve. Near to Point 34 several small water impoundments were present approximately 50 m from the road (Jacobson, 2015).
From Point 34 to Point 36 the Berlin Potable Water Pipeline follows a gravel road through heavily grazed and trampled grassland of mixed species composition. Grass species are essentially the same as for other sites assessed although few could be identified. Forbs are also mostly the same but scattered, with Pelargonium sidoides common. Other species included Gladiolus ochroleucus, Helichrysum rugulosum, Eriosema sp., Bulbine narcissifolia, Selego densiflora, Centella, Richardia and Asparagus suaveolens. The vegetation in the road reserve was more species rich, mostly of species previously recorded including the grasses Hyparrhenia dregeata, H. hirta, Paspalum dilatatum, Cymbopogon spp., Cynodon dactylon and Chlrois gayanus as well as forbs Aloe maculata, Conyza ulmifolia, C. bonariensis, Sida rhombifolia, S. dregei, Hermannia geniculata, Senecio burchellii, Solanum linneanum, Pelargonium sidoides, P. alchemilloides, Lippia javanica, Chaetacanthus setiger, Schkuhria pinnata and Planatgo lanceolata. Some harvesting of medicinal plants has also taken along this section of the pipeline route. P. sidoides is frequently harvested for its medicinal properties. On the floor of a borrow pit containing some water, wetland species such as Cyperus fastigiatus and Schoenoplectus muricinux
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were recorded. Along the margin a Crassula sp., Bergeranthus leightoniae and Chrysocoma ciliata were seen. Scattered wattles grew lower down the slope along a drainage line closer to Point 36 (Jacobson, 2015).
Grassland dominated the vegetation between Points 36 and 39 of the Berlin Potable Water Pipeline, although closer to Point 39 it became more woody with Vachellia natalitia prominent together with a Ficus lutea (a garden escape) Scutia myrtina, Grewia occidentalis, Halleria lucida, Conyza scabrida, Solanum linneanum, Lantana camara, Lippia javanica and Rubus pinnatus. Grasses included Panicum maximum, Digitaria eriantha, D. sp. cf natalensis and Chloris gayanus. Climbers such as Clematis brachiata, Adenia gummifera and Zehneria scabra grew over the trees and shrubs. Forbs differed from that of the grassland with Kalanchoe rotundifolia, Cynoglossum lanceolatum, Phytolacca octandra, Teucrium africanum, Physalis angulata, Gomphocarpus physocarpa and Tagetes minuta recorded. Many of these are ruderals as a result of former road work impacts (Jacobson, 2015).
The vegetation along the Berlin Potable Water Pipeline between Points 39 and 44 is degraded primarily due to the presence of a homestead close to the road as well as extensive agricultural activities as well as livestock pens where some Acacias provided shade (Jacobson, 2015).
Approximately half of the Berlin Potable Water Pipeline length between Points 44 and 45 was dominated by alien vegetation, mostly wattle as well as Bugweed Solanum mauritianum and Lantana camara. Grasses in more open areas were mostly Paspalum urvillei and P. dilatatum with some Digitaria eriantha, Chloris gayanus and Cymbopogon spp. The forbs were reduced to ruderals such as Senecio polyanthemoides, Verbena bonariensis, Tagetes minuta, Bidens spp., and Conyza bonariensis. At Point 45, low Acacias Vachellia natalitia grew more densely but these became more scattered towards Point 44 and grassland dominated most of this half of the pipeline. Other woody plants associated with the acacias included Halleria lucida, Canthium ciliatum and Lantana camara. Grasses were essentially the same as that of the rest of the pipeline rote but included Alloteropsis semialata and Setaria sphacelata the latter common in this area. The forbs were mostly the same as that elsewhere along the pipeline such as Senecio burchellii, Rhynchosia totta, Lobelia flaccid, Senecio speciosus, Monsonia, emarginata, Tephrosia lupinifolia, Indigofera hedyantha, Hypoxis villosus, Helichrysum spp. , Richardia and Acalypha indica. In shallow soil on bedrock Crassula tetragona ssp. acutifolia and Bergeranthus leightoniae were recorded (Jacobson, 2015).
The remainder of the Berlin Potable Water Pipeline route to the Berlin Reservoir (Points 45 to 50) is degraded with alien vegetation and former road construction along much of the route. At the Reservoir a dense grass sward is comprised of mixed species including Digitaria eriantha. Similarly the grassland under the telephone line
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on the approach to the reservoir is also dense with some typical forbs (Jacobson, 2015).
Refer to Appendix E for the Ecological Report and comprehensive species list.
The following nine (9) species are listed in CARA and/or NEMBA categories as invasive species: Cirsium vulgare (Spear thistle), Ipomoea purpurea (Morning glory), Acacia mearnsii (Black wattle), Eucalyptus sp., Phytolacca octandra (Forest ink berry), Solanum mauritianum (Bugweed), Solanum pseudocapsicum (Jerusalem cherry), Lantana camara (Tick berry) and Verbena bonariensis (Purple top).
Figure 4-10 to 4-13 present a view of the vegetation located at the raw water dam and WTW sites as well as along the pipeline routes.
Figure 4-10: General View of Vegetation at the Raw Water Dam Site
Figure 4-11: General View of Vegetation at the WTW Site
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Figure 4-12: General View of Vegetation along the Berlin Gravel Road
Figure 4-13: General View of Vegetation along the Berlin Gravel Road
4.6.2 Species of Special Concern
With the exception of Pelargonium sidoides which is listed as Declining, none of the plants recorded are regarded as rare or threatened according to the Red Data List of Plants (SANBI 2014). However, some Eastern Cape endemic species were recorded (Appendix E) which therefore have a higher sensitivity rating than species with wider distributions. Most of these have specific habitat requirements which may be limited in extent (Jacobson, 2015). Yellowwood trees species (Podocarpus) are located along the watercourses.
4.6.3 Protected Areas and Critical Biodiversity Areas
The King William's Town Local Authority Nature Reserve (Formal B category) is located approximately 6.5km to the south west of the proposed project route and Bhisho / All Saints reservoirs and 14km to the west of the Berlin reservoirs.
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Approximately 20km of the proposed pipeline as well as the Bhisho / All Saints reservoirs are located in a terrestrial CBA2 area as per the Eastern Cape Biodiversity Conservation Plan (ECBCP, 2007). The Berlin reservoirs are located outside of a CBA, refer to Figure 4-14. Terrestrial CBA2 areas are included within Biodiversity Land Management Class 2: Near natural landscapes. The recommended land use objectives for BLMC 2 areas are ‘maintain biodiversity in near natural state with minimal loss of ecosystem integrity. No transformation of natural habitat should be permitted’. Recommended permissible land uses under BLMC2, include: conservation, game farming, and communal livestock keeping.
4.6.1 Fauna and Avifauna (Birds)
Cattle were noted within the project area. No other species were noted during the site visit, however the following is anticipated to occur within the region due to habitat type: Grey duiker (Sylvicapra grimmia), Bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus), Bushpig (Potamochoerus Porcus), Springhare (Pedetes Capensis), Vervet monkey (Cercopithecus pygerythrus), Striped mouse (Rhabdomys pumilio).
Approximately 8km of the proposed Bhisho Potable Water Pipeline falls within the eastern boundary of the Amatola-Katberg Mountain Important Bird Area (IBA). The proposed Nompumelelo Reservoir falls within the eastern boundary of the Amatola- Katberg Mountain IBA, and approximately 160m of the Raising Main from the Mjali Borehole to the Nompumelelo reservoirs are located within this IBA. Refer to Figure 4-15. The Amatola-Katberg Mountain IBA is partially protected (BGIS).
The following bird species were observed in the area: Spur-winged goose (Plectropterus gambensis), Egyptian goose (Alopochen aegyptiaca), South African Shelduck (SA endemic) (Tadorna cana), Yellow-billed duck (Anas undulate), Spectacled weaver (Ploceus ocularis) and Red-knobbed coot (Fulica cristata) (Colloty, 2014).
The following bird species are anticipated to be found in the area: Cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis), White stork (Ciconia ciconia), Hadeda ibis (Bostrychia hagedash), Black-headed heron (Ardea melanocephala), Secretary-bird (Sagittarius serpentarius), Southern crowned crane (Balearica regulorum) (endangered and a rare visitor), Stanley’s bustard (Neotis denhami) (protected), and Crowned plover (Vanellus coronatus) (Lubke & De Moor, 1998).
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Figure 4-14: Terrestrial Environment: Protected Areas & CBAs
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Figure 4-15: Important Bird Areas
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Mounds of the Common Molerat Cryptomys hottentotus and of the Snouted Termites Trinervitermes sp. cf trinervoides were seen at various places along the pipeline route. Table 4-1 presents reptiles and amphibians expected to occur in the area, none of these are rare or threatened (Jacobsen, Louw & Clark, 2015).
Table 4-1: List of Reptiles and Amphibians Scientific Name Common Name Tortoises & Terrapins Pelomedusa subrufa Marsh Terrapin Stigmochelys pardalis Leopard Tortoise Lizards Pachydactylus maculatus Spotted Thick-toed Gecko Acontias gracilicauda Slender-tailed Legless Skink Trachylepis capensis Cape Skink Trachylepis homalocephala Red-sided Skink Nucras lalandii Delalande's Sandveld Lizard Pedioplanis lineo-ocellata Spotted Sand Lizard Gerrhosurus flavigularis Yellow-throated Plated Lizard Chamaesaura anguina Cape Grass Lizard Snakes Typhlops lalandei Delalande's Beaked Blind Snake Leptotyphlops nigricans Black Thread Snake Aparallactus capensis Cape Centipede-eater Lamprophis capensis Brown House Snake Lamprophis aurora Aurora House Snake Lycophidion capense Cape Wolf Snake Duberria l. lutrix Common slug-eater Pseudaspis cana Mole Snake Psammophylax rhombeatus Spotted Skaapsteker Psammophis crucifer Cross-marked Sand Snake Dasypeltis scabra Common Egg-eater Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia Herald Snake Dispholidus typus Boomslang Homoroselaps lacteus Spotted Harlequin Snake Naja nivea Cape Cobra Hemachatus haemachatus Rinkhals Causus rhombeatus Common Night Adder Bitis arietans Puff Adder Amphibians Xenopus laevis Common Platanna Amietophrynus pardalis Eastern Leopard Toad Amietophrynus rangeri Raucous Toad Hyperolius marmoratus Painted Reed Frog Kassina senegalensis Bubbling Kassina
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Scientific Name Common Name Semnodactylus wealii Rattling Frog Breviceps adspersus Bushveld Rain Frog Breviceps verrucosus Plaintive Rain Frog Cacosternum boettgeri Common Caco Cacosternum n. nanum Bronze Caco Phrynobatrachus natalensis Snoring Puddle Frog Amietia angolensis Common River Frog Strongylopus fasciatus Striped Grass Frog Strongylopus grayii Clicking Stream Frog Pyxicephalus adspersus Giant Bullfrog Tomopterna tandyi Tandy's Sand Frog Semnodactylus wealii Rattling Frog Kassina senegalensis Bubbling Kassina Hyperolius semidiscus Yellow-striped Reed Frog Hyperolius marmoratus Painted Reed Frog
4.7 Land Use, Physical Infrastructure and Services
The proposed project falls mainly within vacant or natural areas. The proposed site for the WTW and raw water dams is currently used as communal grazing areas. The pipeline route traverses through land use areas indicated as subsistence farming, residential, forestry and industrial or commercial (ENPAT, 2001).
A number of gravel and paved roads and power lines are located within the project area. The main road along the pipeline route is the R63 (a national road), and the gravel road to Berlin. An Eskom medium voltage distribution line is located in close proximity to the proposed WTW, and the pipelines will traverse under Eskom medium voltage distribution lines along the routes. A railway line is also located in close proximity, and the pipelines will cross over the railway at five areas. Existing water reservoirs are located at the Berlin and All Saints reservoir sites as well as at Majli and Nompuelelo. Refer to Figures 4-16, 4-17 and 4-19.
Illegal dumping was also noted along some sections of the proposed route, refer to Figure 4-18.
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Figure 4-16: Bhisho / All Saints Reservoirs
Figure 4-17: Berlin Reservoirs
Figure 4-18: Illegal Dumping along Berlin Gravel Road
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Figure 4-19: Land Use, Physical Infrastructure and Services
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4.8 Social and Economic Environment
4.8.1 Socio-Demographic Profile
The Census 2011 conducted by Statistics South Africa, estimates the total population of the BCMM to be 755,200, a marked growth from the 2001 census which put it at 704 855. The BCMM population contributes to 11.5% of the Eastern Cape provincial population. Growth projections to the year 2020, taking into account the anticipated impact of HIV/AIDS, indicate an estimated total population of some 1,290,000 people. The population figures for the King Williams Town and surrounding areas in 2001 were 184,246 and in 2011 were 106,267 (IDP, 2014).
The population groups in the BCMM comprise of 86% from the Black African group; White and Coloured groups at 7% and 6% respectively; and the Indian or Asian group only represents 1% of the population. The highest proportions of the BCMM residents for both males and females were found in the age category 0-4 and also 20-24 age groups according to the 2011 census, compared to the 2001 census the category with the highest number was the 15-19 age group (IDP, 2014).
Almost 39.1% of the total population for the BCMM falls into the category of reaching grade 8 or less in terms of education. Those who completed high school make up 21% of the population, while those with tertiary education only make up 6% of the population. Most people with tertiary education are likely to be from the urban centres, particularly East London (IDP, 2014).
The majority of the households (92%) in the BCMM obtain water from a water scheme operated by the municipality. There has been a slight increase in households receiving water from a spring or rain water tank (IDP, 2014).
4.8.2 Socio-Economic Profile
The poverty datum line is at R20,000 per annum. Approximately 48% of the BCMM households live below this figure, and only 2% earn the highest earnings (R614 001 - R1228 800). The percentage of unemployed in the BCMM in 2001 was 53% and decreased to 35% in 2011 (IDP, 2014)
Low economic growth and a high rate of unemployment are still prevalent and present a challenge for the BCMM. The Gross Domestic Product by the region is R34 billion, and the Gross Value Added by the region is R30 billion. The labour market in the BCMM (% of employed per sector) is presented as follows (IDP, 2014):
a) Community services sector: 30% b) Trade sector: 23% c) Manufacturing sector: 18% d) Finance sector: 8%
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e) Households sector: 8% f) Construction sector: 6% g) Transport sector: 5% h) Agriculture sector: 2% i) Mining sector: 0% j) Electricity sector: 0%
4.9 Heritage Environment
Although the area under investigation has a rich connotation with the history of the Eastern Cape Province, it has undergone severe alterations over the past 50 years. This has in most cases destroyed on buried any sites of historic significance within the rural/urban sprawl. This, combined with the limited width of the development footprint resulted in only a few heritage areas being identified. It is possible that sites buried underneath the modern landscape could still be uncovered during the excavation activities associated with this development (Gaigher, 2015).
No archaeological sites have been identified. Several church buildings of possible historic origin are noted in the areas surrounding the proposed project. A single bridge structure (i.e. the Lonsdale Bridge, HIA Site 001, Figure 4-20) could be considered of high heritage significance. This bridge is constructed of sandstone and concrete. The exact age of the bridge is unknown, however a plaque indicates that it was constructed in Honour of J.F. Lonsdale ESQ. The use of the word “Honour” rather than “In Memory Of” suggests that the bridge was constructed during the lifetime of J.F. Lonsdale ESQ. Lonsdale served as an officer in the British NNC Company in 1879 and he was directly involved in the battle of Isandlwana, however it is uncertain when he became major of King William’s Town or when the bridge was dedicated to him. It is however clear that the structure is older than 60 years and that it is connected with a historic figure (Gaigher, 2015).
The Kings Cross Railway Siding structures (HIA Site 002, Figure 4-21) consist of historic vernacular buildings constructed from corrugated iron, and are well preserved. This type of building style is commonly associated with the Natal Government Railways operating from 1877 onwards within this region (Gaigher, 2015).
There are a number of burial sites within the areas surrounding the proposed project, and potentially a few single grave sites within the pipeline route (HIA Sites 003 to 006, Figures 4-22 and 4-23) (Gaigher, 2015).
Refer to Figure 4-24 for overview of the Heritage Environment.
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Figure 4-20: Lonsdale Bride (Gaigher, 2015)
Figure 4-21: Structures at Kings Cross (Gaigher, 2015)
Figure 4-22: Graveyard HIA Site 005 (Gaigher, 2015)
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Figure 4-23: Potential Single Grave, HIA Site 004 (Gaigher, 2015)
The study area falls within the Balfour Formation of the Beaufort Group which is renowned for its synapsid, anapsid and basal tetrapod fossils. Glossopteris leaf imprints and fragments of silicified wood occur throughout the subgroup. The Balfour Formation coincides with the upper part of the Adelaide Subgroup which is dominated by the Dicynodon Assemblage Zone. In this region (east of 25°E) the lower part of the Dicynodon Assemblage Zone and the underlying Cistecephalus Assemblage Zone become indistinguishable. The lower part of the Balfour Formation yields fossils associated with the Cistecephalus Assemblage Zone. The upper part of the Balfour Formation, consisting of the Palingkloof Member, yields fossils from the Lystrosaurus Assemblage Zone. These fossils from the Lystrosaurus Assemblage Zone will not be present in the area because of its southerly location with regards to the contact between the Dicynodon and Lystrosaurus Assemblage Zones. The Cistecephalus and Dicynodon Assemblage Zones are moderately fossil rich. There is a possibility that fossils will be discovered within the study area (Durand, 2014). Fossils are remains or impressions of plants or animals hardened in rock (Oxford, 1997).
Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM 117 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
Figure 4-24: Heritage Environment
Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM 118 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
Chapter 5
CHAPTER 5: METHODOLOGY
5.1 Introduction
The following chapter presents the methodologies for the specialist studies undertaken and impact assessment. The findings and recommendations of the specialist studies have been included in Chapter 4 and Chapter 7.
5.2 Heritage Impact Assessment
The Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) was undertaken by Stephan Gaigher of G&A Heritage. The specialist study, together with the specialist’s declaration is presented in Appendix D. Forming part of the HIA, a Paleontological Scoping Study was undertaken by Dr JF Durand.
A HIA must include a study on various cultural resources that may be located in the area intended for development, such as possible archaeological resources, structures older than 60 years, sites of cultural significance associated with oral histories, burial grounds and graves, graves of victims of conflict and cultural landscapes. The HIA report includes a Palaeontological Scoping Study and Phase 1 Archaeological Impact Assessment in order to identify any heritage sites, to assess the significance of these sites and to make recommendations. The HIA was conducted in terms of Section 38 of the National Heritage Resources Act (Act No. 25 of 1999) [NHRA]. Any mitigation measures have been defined.
The HIA was undertaken as follows:
a) Archival and database research involved the identification of previous studies in the area, accumulation of scientific and popular publications on the area and the evaluation of historic map sets.
b) Field investigations involved the physical investigation of the study area on the ground to identify any sites of heritage potential. The field investigations
Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM 119 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
were undertaken on 30 July 2014 and 19 March 2015. Identified sites were documented photographically and plotted with a GPS.
c) Reporting involves the reporting on the results of the previous two steps and evaluations are provided regarding the heritage sensitivity as well as recommendations.
The Paleontological Scoping Study included a review of relevant literature and geological maps for the region.
5.3 Ecological Study
The ecological assessment was undertaken by NHG Jacobsen, together with M. Louw and B. Clark of CEN IEM Unit. The specialist study, together with the specialist’s declaration is presented in Appendix E.
The ecological study included:
a) Survey of the fauna and flora occurring along the proposed Kei Road WTW and Conveyance.
b) Provide a scientific description of the terrestrial ecology of the proposed development site and route.
c) Describe the potential impact of the proposed development on the site biodiversity.
d) Make recommendations on the development proposal to avoid and/or limit biodiversity impacts.
e) Devise a sensitivity map with safe and no-go areas.
f) Provide a list of threatened and protected floral and faunal species.
g) Provision of mitigation measures.
The survey of the vegetation and fauna was assessed by dividing the route into sections. Most sections were traversed on foot and all species of plants in flower or fruit as well as fauna seen or deduced as being present were recorded on a pocket tape recorder for later transcription. Lists of the latter are augmented from the literature (Sinclair, Hockey & Tarboton 1993, Branch 1998, Minter, Burger, Harrison, Braack, Bishop & Kloepfer, 2004, Friedmann & Daly 2004). The survey was undertaken over a 2 day period, 18-19 March 2014.
Notes on the condition of the veld and other relevant issues were compiled. As much of the pipeline followed existing roads it was possible to make spot assessments as
Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM 120 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
the vegetation composition tended to be much the same throughout with minor changes.
5.4 Wetland and Aquatic Assessment
The wetland and aquatic assessment was undertaken by Brian Colloty of Scherman Colloty & Associates. The specialist study, together with the specialist’s declaration is presented in Appendix F.
The scope of this study incorporates:
a) An aquatic assessment of the study area. This will cover the development footprint in relation to available ecological information related to wetland and riverine ecosystems functioning within the region.
b) A map demarcating the relevant local drainage area of the respective wetland/s, i.e. the wetland, its respective catchment and other wetland areas within a 500m radius of the study area. This will demonstrate, from a holistic point of view the connectivity between the site and the surrounding regions, i.e. the zone of influence.
c) Maps depicting demarcated wetland areas delineated to a scale of 1:10 000, together with a classification of delineated wetland areas, according to the methods contained in the Level 1 WET-Health methodology and the latest National Wetland Classification System (2010).
d) The determination of the ecological state of any wetland areas, estimating their biodiversity, conservation and ecosystem function importance with regard ecosystem services. (Note that this determination will not include avifaunal, herpetological or invertebrate studies; however possible habitat for species of special concern would be commented on).
e) Recommend buffer zones and No-go areas around any delineated wetland areas based on the relevant legislation or best practice.
f) Assess the potential impacts, based on a supplied methodology.
This study followed the approaches of several national guidelines with regards to wetland assessment. These were modified by the specialist, to provide a relevant mechanism of assessing the present state of the study systems, applicable to the specific environment and in a clear and objective means assess the potential impacts.
Current water resource classification systems make use of the Hydrogeomorphic (HGM) approach, and for this reason, the National Wetland Classification System approach was used in this study. It is also important to understand the wetland
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definition, means of assessing wetland conservation and importance as well as understanding the pertinent legislation with regards to protecting wetlands. These aspects are discussed in greater depth in the specialist report, as they form the basis of the study approach to assessing wetland impacts.
5.5 Fish Impact Assessment
The fish assessment was undertaken by A Bok of Anton Bok Aquatic Consultants, together with G Brett of the East London Museum. The specialist study, together with the specialist’s declaration is presented in Appendix G.
The scope of work includes the following:
a) A desktop study and field investigations.
b) A fish survey using an electro-fisher will be undertaken of the KwaNkwebu tributary of the Yellowwoods River to confirm the presence of a very valuable population of Sandelia bainsii in the upper reaches. The distribution and condition of this population in the affected reach will be determined.
c) Determine possible impacts and mitigation measures, including the impact of the crossing of the Yellowwoods River near Hanover in terms of potential impacts on the current National DWS Biomonitoring Site in this vicinity.
d) Review and provide comment on the proposed construction methodology (method statements), and provide potential impacts on the aquatic habitats and Sandelia bainsii in particular.
The following methods were employed during this study:
a) Review previous fish studies undertaken in the Yellowwoods catchment, particularly in river reaches near the proposed watercourse crossings.
b) Undertake a field visit (7 May 2015) to inspect and assess the present ecological state and sensitivity of the affected watercourses in the vicinity of the pipeline crossings.
c) Conduct a brief fish survey of the KwaNkwebu tributary of the Yellowwoods River near the proposed pipeline crossing point.
d) Write a report on the findings, including comment on the proposed construction methodologies, assessment of potential impacts, and propose appropriate and feasible mitigation measures to avoid or reduce potential impacts on aquatic habitats.
Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM 122 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
e) A walk-over inspection of the three potential crossing sites for the pipeline from the Border Post – All Saints Reservoir potable water gravity main to the Mjali Borehole, was carried out on 12th November 2015 by the specialists, accompanied by civil engineer Petronella Taljaard of Aurecon.
5.6 Impact Assessment Methodology
5.6.1 Identification of Impacts
The aim of the Scoping Phase was to identify, record and describe the issues that have been identified and/or raised by stakeholders, I&APs, the EAP and specialists with regard to the proposed development. It also provided a framework for the assessment of the impacts that the proposed project will have on the environment, and of the impacts the environment will have on the proposed project.
5.6.2 Assessment of Impacts
The description of all environmental issues that were identified during the Scoping Phase of the EIA process, an assessment of the significance of each issue and an indication of the extent to which the issue could be addressed by the adoption of mitigation measures have been considered in Chapter 7. The specialist information was considered in terms of a formal quantification of the impact as per facets of the specific field highlighted by the specialist, as presented in Chapter 7 of the EIA Report. In each case the specialist’s recommendations were converted into potential mitigation measures and linked in the EMPr (Appendix H). The mitigation measures are summarised in the impact tables. The criteria used for the assessment of the potential impacts of the proposed project are described in Sections 5.6.3 to 5.6.12. Cumulative impacts will be included as part of the impact assessment process.
5.6.3 Nature and Status
The nature of the impact is the consideration of what the impact will be and how it will be affected. This description is qualitative and gives an overview of what is specifically being considered. That is, the nature considers ‘what is the cause, what is affected, and how is it affected?’.
The status describes whether the impact is positive (a benefit) or negative (a cost), or neutral.
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5.6.4 Extent
Whether the impact will occur on a scale limited to the immediate areas, footprint or site of the development activity or will the impact occur on a sub-regional (local), regional and/or national scale.
Table 5-1: Extent Description Explanation Scoring Footprint / The impact could affect the whole, or a significant portion of the 1 Site site. Local Impact could affect the adjacent landowners and areas 2 surrounding the site. Regional Impact could affect the wider area around the site, that is, from a 3 few kilometres, up to the wider region. National Impact could have an effect that expands throughout a significant 4 portion of South Africa – that is, as a minimum has an impact across provincial borders.
5.6.5 Duration
Whether the lifetime of the impact will be of a short duration (0-5 years); medium term (5-15 years); long-term (>15 years), with the impact ceasing after the operational life of the development); or considered permanent where mitigation either by natural process or by human intervention will not occur in such a way or in such a time span that the impact can be considered transient.
Table 5-2: Duration Description Explanation Scoring Short term The impact will either disappear with mitigation or will be mitigated 1 through a natural process, and will be relevant for 0 to 5 years. Medium The impact will be relevant for 5 to 15 years. 2 term Long term The impact will continue or last for the entire operational lifetime of 3 the development, but will be mitigated by direct human action or by natural processes thereafter (i.e. more than 15 years). Permanent This is the only class of impact that will be non-transitory. 4 Mitigation either by man or natural process will not occur in such a way or in such a time span that the impact can be considered transient (i.e. impact will remain after the operational lifetime of the project).
5.6.6 Intensity/Magnitude:
Whether the intensity (magnitude / size) of the impact is high, medium, low or negligible (very low / no impact). Where possible the intensity of impacts are quantified.
This will be a relative evaluation within the context of all the activities and the other impacts within the framework of the project. Note that intensity is scored differently as
Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM 124 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
this is a critical issue in terms of the overall risk and impact assessment. The intensity is thus measured as the degree to which the project affects or changes the environment.
Table 5-3: Intensity Description Explanation Scoring Very Low The impact alters the affected environment in such a way that the 2 natural processes or functions are not affected. Low The impact alters the affected environment in such a way that the 4 natural processes or functions are slightly affected. Medium The affected environment is altered, but functions and processes 6 continue, albeit in a modified way. High Function or process of the affected environment is disturbed to the 8 extent where the function or process temporarily or permanently ceases.
5.6.7 Probability
The probability of the impact actually occurring as either improbable (low likelihood); probable (distinct possibility); highly probable (most likely) or definite (impact will occur regardless of preventative measures)
Table 5-4: Probability Description Explanation Scoring Unlikely The possibility of the impact occurring is none, due either to the 1 circumstances, design or experience. Probable There is a possibility that the impact will occur to the extent that 2 provisions must therefore be made. Highly It is most likely that the impacts will occur at some stage of the 3 Probable Development. Plans must be drawn up before carrying out the activity. Definite The impact will take place regardless of any prevention plans, and 4 only mitigation actions or contingency plans to contain the effect can be relied upon.
5.6.8 Significance
The significance of impacts of the proposed project are assessed with the mitigation measures which will be included in the contractors specifications as well as with the additional mitigation measures recommended in this report being implemented. The significance of the identified impacts on the components of the affected environment (and where relevant, with respect to potential legal infringement) are described as:
No Impact : Where the project action will not cause any adverse or beneficial changes to the natural (biophysical), and/or social environment.
Impact of Low Significance: Where the project actions will result in minor short- term changes to the biophysical and/or socio-economic environment. The impacts will usually be restricted to the immediate area of the project action. The affected
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system should return to its natural or almost natural state in a short period of time (0 - 5 years). The impacts on human populations will be of a short duration and will not have any lasting consequences.
Impact of Medium Significance: Where the project actions will result in moderate short-term or medium term changes to the biophysical and/or socio-economic environment. The effects of the impact could be experienced outside of the project action area and may be evident at a sub-regional or even a regional level. Minor indirect impacts may arise from the project action. The system should recover but it is unlikely that it will return to its natural state. Recovery would only take place in the medium term (5-15 years). Impacts on the human population will be felt after the project action is completed but are not severe and/or disruptive to their quality of life or economic well being.
Impacts of High Significance: Where the project actions will result in major long- term changes to the biophysical and/or socio-economic environment. The effects of the impact will be experienced outside of the project action area and may be evident at a regional, national and even at the international level. Secondary or indirect impacts may arise from the project action. The system may recover over the long- term (>15 years) but will not revert to its natural state. Impacts on human populations will be felt after the project action is completed. The impacts are of a long-term nature and are disruptive to the previous life style of the affected population.
Determination of significance will be made on the assumption that any mitigation and / or management measure, which is recommended, will be implemented by the developer.
The level of significance is expressed as the sum of the area exposed to the risk (extent), the length of time that exposure may occur over in total (duration), the severity of the exposure (intensity) and the likelihood of the event occurring (probability).
Significance value = (Extent + Duration + Intensity) x Probability.
A distinction will be made for the significance rating without the implementation of mitigation measures and with the implementation of mitigation measures. The purpose of mitigation measures is to reduce the significance level of the anticipated impact. Therefore, the reduction in the significance level after mitigation is directly related to the scores used in the impact assessment criteria. The effect of potential mitigation measures to reduce the overall significance level is also to be considered in each issues table (i.e. values with or without mitigation are presented).
Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM 126 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
Table 5-5: Significance Description Explanation Scoring No / Very There is no impact or a very low impact. 1-9 Low Impact Low The impacts are less important, but some mitigation is required to 10-27 reduce the negative impacts. Medium The impacts are important and require attention; mitigation is 28-45 required to reduce the negative impacts. High The impacts are of high importance and mitigation is essential to 46-64 reduce the negative impacts
5.6.9 Mitigating Environmental Effects
Mitigation measures are technically and economically feasible measures that will mitigate a project's likely environmental effects. Mitigation is the elimination, reduction, or control of a project's adverse environmental effects, including restitution for any damage to the environment caused by such effects through replacement, restoration, compensation, or any other means.
Mitigation is used to address all adverse environmental effects, whether or not subsequent analysis determines that the effects are significant. The development of the mitigation measures commenced during the scoping assessment and many have become part of the project design. Relevant mitigation measures should form part of any contract for the project.
5.6.10 Degree of Confidence in Predictions
The degree of confidence in the predictions, based on the availability of information and/or specialist knowledge
5.6.11 Reversibility
Examining whether the impacted environment can be returned to its pre-impacted state once the cause of the impact has been removed.
5.6.12 Replaceability
Examining if an irreplaceable resource is impacted upon. Replaceability is an indication of the scarcity of the specific set of parameters that make up the affected environment. That is, if lost can the affected environment be (a) recreated, or (b) is it a common set of characteristics and thus if lost is not considered a significant loss.
Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM 127 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
5.6.13 Cumulative
A cumulative impact is an impact, which in itself may not be significant but may become significant if added to other existing or potential impacts emanating from other similar or diverse activities as a result of the project activity in question.
5.7 Assumptions, Uncertainties and Gaps in Knowledge
The following assumptions, uncertainties and gaps in knowledge were identified for this process:
5.7.1 EIA Process
The EIA process is multi-disciplinary, which was informed by the project team (Section 1.3.3). It is thus necessary to presume that the information as provided to the project team to date by external sources is accurate, appropriate and correct.
Data shown in the maps was supplied by various sources and was used after it was reviewed and verified where considered necessary. Verification was, however, restricted to available sources of information only.
The project information provided by the engineering consultants is accurate. No detailed designs were available and preliminary layouts were available at the time of the assessment for the Draft EIA Report.
5.7.2 Public Participation Process
Every effort was made to contact all stakeholders within the study area. Information presented by the stakeholders is presumed to be accurate and presented timeously with respect to the process at hand.
5.7.3 Specialist Studies
Due to time and budget constraints the scope of work was limited to a desktop review of available information and to a site visit. The fish survey in the KwaNkwebu tributary was confined to a brief “snap-shot” electro-fishing effort at one site below the proposed pipeline crossing on 7 May 2015 at a time of low water temperatures when fish activity, particularly Eastern Cape Rocky (Sandelia bainsii) is low. Previous sampling for S. bainsii indicates that the warm summer months are optimum times to capture this often elusive fish.
Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM 128 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
5.8 Environmental Impact Assessment Report
The EIA Report has been prepared according to Government Notice R543, Regulation 31(2) of the EIA Regulations 2010, and includes the following:
a) details and expertise of the EAP who prepared the report;
b) an updated detailed description of the proposed activity;
c) an updated description of the property on which the activity is to be undertaken and the location of the activity on the property as well as an updated description of the route of the activity;
d) an updated description of the environment that may be affected by the activity and the manner in which the physical, biological, social, economic and cultural aspects of the environment may be affected by the proposed activity;
e) a description of the PPP that was undertaken during the EIA Phase;
f) an updated description of the need and desirability of the project;
g) a description of identified potential alternatives to the proposed activity, including advantages and disadvantages that the proposed activity or alternatives may have on the environment and the community that may be affected by the activity;
h) an indication of the methodology used to determine significance of potential environmental impacts;
i) a comparative assessment of all alternatives (including the do-nothing alternative);
j) a summary of the findings and recommendations of the specialist studies;
k) a description and assessment of each potentially significant impact;
l) a description of any assumptions, uncertainties and gaps in knowledge;
m) an opinion of whether the activity should be authorised or not, and if it should be authorised, any conditions that should be made in respect of the authorisation;
n) an environmental impact statement; and
o) a draft environmental management programme for the planning and design, pre-construction and construction activities, operation or undertaking of the activity and rehabilitation of the environment.
Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM 129 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
5.9 Environmental Management Programme
A site-specific Environmental Management Programme (EMPr) has been included as part of the EIA Report (Appendix H). The EMPr outlines the impacts and mitigation measures for the planning and design, construction, rehabilitation and operational phases of the project. The EMPr comprises of the following:
a) Summary of Impacts: The identified negative environmental impacts for which mitigation is required are summarised. Positive impacts requiring enhancement have been listed.
b) Description of mitigation measures: The EMPr identifies feasible and cost effective mitigation measures to reduce significant negative environmental impacts to acceptable and legal levels. Mitigation measures are described in detail.
c) Description of a monitoring programme: Environmental performance monitoring is designed to ensure that mitigation measures are implemented. The monitoring programme clearly indicates the linkages between impacts, indicators to be measured, measurement methods and definition of thresholds that will signal the need for corrective actions.
d) The institutional arrangements depict and define the responsibilities for mitigation and monitoring actions.
e) Legal enforceability: The key legal considerations with respect to the EMPr are:
a. Legal framework for environmental protection.
b. Legal basis for mitigation.
f) The implementation schedule and reporting procedures that specify the timing, frequency, and duration of the mitigation measures.
g) A description of requirements for record keeping, reporting, review, auditing and updating of the EMPr will be provided.
Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM 130 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
Chapter 6 CHAPTER 6: DESCRIPTION AND COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT OF ALTERNATIVES
6.1 Introduction
“Alternatives are different means of meeting the general purpose and need of a proposed activity. The identification, description, evaluation and comparison of alternatives are important for ensuring the objectivity of the assessment process. In cases where there is no objective and thorough assessment of alternatives, the EIA process usually only confirms a chosen activity and the value of the assessment as an input to a decision-making may be compromised” (DEAT Guideline 4, 2006).
The various alternatives identified are comparatively assessed in terms of environmental acceptability as well as technical and economic feasibility. A comparative assessment is undertaken to determine the most suitable alternative for the development, resulting in the “preferred alternative”, and thereby assessed in Chapter 7.
6.2 No-Go Alternative
The “No-Go” approach entails that the proposed Kei Road WTW and Conveyance is not developed in the area, i.e. that no development as per the proposal is undertaken and the status quo remains.
Advantages for the No-Go Alternative:
a) The natural areas, including both terrestrial and aquatic environments, will remain in the current state and will not be developed or disturbed. b) The size of the available grazing land / communal land will not decrease.
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Disadvantages for the No-Go Alternative:
a) The prevention of the proposed project will entail that additional water supply to the Bhisho, Berlin and surrounding communities will not be provided. b) The risk of limited potable water remains where water scarcity is experienced. c) Loss of short term employment opportunities during the construction phase.
The “Do-Nothing” scenario is the basis against which the acceptability of the identified environmental issues, and, technically and economically feasible alternatives, are assessed in the Comparative Alternatives Assessment.
6.3 Raw Water Storage Dam Site Alternatives
Three sites were initially identified as alternative sites in the Scoping Phase, with a fourth site being added during the EIA Phase. Option 1 and 2 are located towards the top reaches of a valley, while Option 3 is located at an existing dam within the valley. Option 4 is located between two non-perennial drainage lines and overlaps with a portion of Option 1; refer to Figure 6-1. The site alternatives are limited due to the topography and required placement of the raw water storage dam for the proposed WTW.
Figure 6-1: Alternative Dam Sites
Options 1 to 3 considered a 378Ml storage capacity and Option 4 considers 609Ml storage capacity, as a result the surface area for the alternative options differ. The storage characteristics for Option 1 and 2 are similar for Phase 1 and 2 of the proposed project. Option 1 and 2 would then be combined in order to meet the Phase 3 storage requirements. Option 3 has better storage characteristics, however Option 3 would require a pump station and thereby pumping water to the WTW. Options 1 to
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3 do not meet the DWS requirement for 21 days storage. Option 4 provides for a larger storage area in order to meet the additional storage amount required during the maintenance periods of the canal, i.e. the DWS requirement for 21 days storage capacity. Options 1, 2 and 4 allow for the gravity hydraulic factors for the system.
The four sites are located on unsurveyed, open / vacant and undeveloped land located within the BCMM. The overall area is utilised as a communal grazing area by the surrounding community. The four site options have the same ecological moderate sensitivity as vegetation is in a good condition and composition of 50 species were recorded although two are alien species.
Option 1, 2 and 4 are off-channel dams and would not require ecological water releases whilst Option 3 is an on-channel dam within the Henyane River. Option 1 and Option 4 are located at the beginning of drainage lines that feed the Henyane River. All four options are located within the sub-quaternary catchment of the Yellowwoods River (sub-quaternary catchments 7775) system. This sub-quaternary catchment has a PES rating of D, being Largely Modified, due to the current state of the environment (grazing, dryland farming, erosion, bush encroachment).
Option 4 has considered the future planning for the upgrading of the R63. Option 1 and 2 did not consider the future upgrading of the R63 and were also located closer to the existing R63 alignment. Option 3 is located away from the existing R63 and would not impact on any future realignment of the R63. Option 4 includes an additional impact to existing infrastructure, namely the Eskom Medium Voltage Line (which would cross over Option 4) and would require relocation through appropriate consultation with Eskom.
Overall there is no significant difference between the four options. Table 6-1 highlights the main advantages and disadvantages of the alternative sites.
Considering the overall factors for the dam site, Option 4 is recommended and will be further assessed in Chapter 7.
Table 6-1: Advantages (Green & italics) and Disadvantages (Red) – Raw Water Storage Dam Sites
Factor Option 1 and 2 Option 3 Option 4 Engineering Insufficient storage Better storage Greater storage Requirements capacity to meet the capacity, however capacity thereby DWS requirement still does not meet meeting the DWS for 21 day storage the DWS 21 days storage requirement of 21 requirement days storage Meets gravity Does not meet the Meets gravity requirement gravity requirement requirement as a pump station is required.
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Factor Option 1 and 2 Option 3 Option 4 Ecological Approximately 11ha Approximately 11ha Approximately 15ha of vegetation to be of vegetation to be of vegetation to be cleared cleared cleared Watercourses Off-channel dam On-channel dam Off-channel dam No ecological water Ecological water No ecological water releases required releases required releases required Existing Existing and future No impact on the Existing and future Infrastructure planning of the R63 R63 planning of the R63 not considered considered No impact to Eskom No impact to Eskom Eskom Medium Medium Voltage Medium Voltage Voltage Line Line Line crosses through site
6.4 WTW Site Alternatives
Site layouts for the WTW are constrained due to the topography and elevation placement for the raw water gravity feed from the raw water storage dam and to enable gravity feed of potable water to the Bhisho and Berlin reservoirs. Two site positions have been considered. WTW Option 1 is the initial placement of the WTW and WTW Option 2 is a revised WTW placement. Refer to Figure 6-2.
Figure 6-2: Alternative WTW Sites
Both sites meet the engineering requirements to provide a gravity system for the distribution of the potable water to Bhisho and Berlin.
Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM 134 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
The two sites are located on unsurveyed, open / vacant and undeveloped land located within the BCMM. The overall area is utilised as a communal grazing area by the surrounding community. The two site options have the same ecological moderate sensitivity as vegetation is in a good condition and composition of 50 species were recorded although two are alien species. The WTW Option 1 is spread out over a larger area (approximately 14ha), whilst WTW Option 2 has been consolidated into a smaller area (approximately 4ha).
Facilities of the WTW Option 1 are within 50m of a wetland or marsh area. The WTW Option 2 has been moved outside the 50m area of the wetland.
The WTW Option 1 did not consider the future upgrading of the R63 and is located closer to the existing R63 alignment / building line of the R63. The WTW Option 2 has taken into consideration the future realignment of the R63.
Table 6-2 highlights the main advantages and disadvantages of the alternative sites. Considering the overall factors for the WTW site, Option 2 is recommended and will be further assessed in Chapter 7.
Table 6-2: Advantages (green & italics) and Disadvantages (red) – WTW Sites
Factor WTW Option 1 WTW Option 2 Engineering Meets gravity requirement Meets gravity requirement Requirements Ecological Approximately 14ha of Approximately 4ha of vegetation to be cleared vegetation to be cleared Watercourses Located within the wetland Not located within the 50m 50m buffer and WULA buffer of a wetland and no required for wetlands WULA required for wetlands Existing Existing and future planning Existing and future planning of Infrastructure of the R63 not considered the R63 considered
6.5 Pipeline Route Alternatives
Alternative routes for the pipelines were considered during a feasibility study undertaken prior to this EIA process. As such alternative routes are not being considered in this EIA process, but rather alternative deviations on the main routes.
The first alternative deviation is on the Bhisho Potable Water Pipeline at Point 7. This alternative is from Point 7 to Point 7A to Point 7B to Point 7C, as reflected on Figure 6-3. Although this alternative presented less impact to the ecology, the topographical and cadastral constraints did not make this alternative deviation feasible, and thus not considered further.
The second alternative deviation is on the Berlin Potable Water Pipeline between Points 30 and 31. This alternative deviation is from Point 30A to Point 30B to Point
Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM 135 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
30C to Point 30D, as reflected on Figure 6-4. As there is sufficient space within the road reserve (between Point 30A and 30D), the alternative deviation was not considered further. Additionally with the pipeline placed within the road reserve the ecological impacts would be less, however there would be a greater impact on the businesses and residences within this area.
The overall Bhisho Potable Water Pipeline route has been amended in certain sections to allow for the requirements from SANRAL. These include the future upgrading of the R63, the placement of the pipeline is to be at least 10m from the R63 fence and the proposed pipeline should remain a minimum of 27m from the centerline of the existing R63.
Figure 6-3: Bhisho Potable Water Pipeline Alternative Deviation
Figure 6-4: Berlin Potable Water Pipeline Alternative Deviation
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6.6 River Crossing Alternatives
Three alternatives, i.e. trenching, trenchless and suspended pipelines have been considered for the pipeline river crossings.
The conventional trenching alternative involves excavations in order to construct the pipeline and will require the removal of vegetation and soils as well as the temporary flow diversion (disadvantage).
The trenchless alternative (e.g. Horizontal Directional Drilling, HDD) does not involve trench excavations and however it requires a larger area for the HDD equipment and thus removal of vegetation and soils. Rivers do not need to be diverted in this alternative (advantage).
The suspended alternative involves suspending the pipeline above ground on existing support structures such as bridges. This alternative requires only limited removal of vegetation and soils and rivers do not need to be diverted (advantage), however the bridges may not be able to support the additional weight of the pipelines (disadvantage).
6.6.1 KwaNkwebu River – Raw Water Pipeline and Border Post Gravity Main Crossing
The crossing point for the Raw Water Pipeline and Border Post Gravity Mainconsists of bedrock with dense riparian vegetation (mainly indigenous riparian trees), except for an area that is an open pathway used by domestic stock to gain access to the river for drinking purposes. The river banks are relatively stable with some erosion from surface run-off on the access path. The present ecological state (PES) is C, moderately modified, where some loss and change of natural habitat and biota have occurred but the basic ecosystem functions are still predominantly unchanged. The EIS of the upper KwaNkwebu is considered to be high due the habitat for the endangered Sandelia bainsii.
Although the HDD alternative presents a low disturbance to the river crossing, the HDD alternative is not considered to be feasible or viable due to the isolated location of the crossing point which would require larger areas of vegetation to be cleared for access and for the two sites on either side of the river for the drilling equipment. The establishment areas for the drilling equipment may also have a higher impact in this sensitive area.
The conventional trenching method (excavations) requires the removal of indigenous riparian vegetation and soils as well as the temporary flow diversion. The placement of the pipeline within a trench cut into the bedrock below the natural ground and streambed level and encased in concrete, should be a viable alternative option, provided the river banks are not destabilized and damaged riparian vegetation is
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rehabilitated. Specific mitigation measures have been recommended by the specialist, which have been included in the impact assessment and EMPr.
The suspended alternative is not feasible as there are no existing support structures at the crossing or in close proximity.
Considering the overall potential impact on the KwaNkwebu for the Raw Water Pipeline Crossing and Border Post Gravity Main, the conventional trenching method is recommended.
6.6.2 Yellowwoods River – Bhisho Potable Water Pipeline Crossing
The crossing point of the Yellowwoods River for the Bhisho Potable Water Pipeline is located at the bridge crossing the R63. The riparian zone in this vicinity is highly modified and degraded, with populations of alien vegetation, such as black wattle. The water quality is poor in this area, evident from instream waste and dense algae. The PES is considered to be D, indicating a largely modified system where a large loss of natural habitat, biota and basic ecosystem functions has occurred.
The suspended alternative is not a feasible option for this crossing due to the size of the pipeline (700mm diameter), and that the pipeline needs to remain outside of the R63 road reserve.
The conventional trenching method may be benefit as the alien vegetation populations would need to be cleared. The status of the river of this crossing is also largely modified and degraded. Temporary flow diversion of the river flow may be required.
The HDD alternative would require large areas of grassland to be cleared for the drilling equipment on either side of the river banks. The alien vegetation within the watercourse would not be removed as part of the construction works. The HDD has a higher economic cost compared to the trenching method, and is not a feasible option when considering the width of the river (approximately 6m).
Considering the overall potential impact on the Yellowwoods River for the Bhisho Potable Water Pipeline R63 Crossing, the conventional trenching method is recommended.
6.6.3 Yellowwoods River – Berlin Potable Water Pipeline Crossing
The crossing point of the Yellowwoods River for the Berlin Potable Water Pipeline is located at the Lonsdale Bridge. The riparian and aquatic environment both upstream and downstream of the bridge is highly modified, and the PES is also considered to be D. The EIS is considered to be moderate due to the apparent absence of
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endangered Sandelia bainsii and the presence of the alien fish species Banded Tilapia (Tilapia sparmanii).
The suspended alternative is not a feasible option for this crossing due to the size of the pipeline (500mm diameter), and that the bridge is a heritage structure.
The conventional trenching method was not considered feasible due to the importance of the bio-monitoring site in terms of the National Bio-monitoring Programme under the DWS.
Although large areas of grassland will need to be cleared for the drilling equipment, the HDD alternative will minimise the impacts on the bio-monitoring site.
Considering the overall potential impact on the Yellowwoods River for the Berlin Potable Water Pipeline Crossing at the Lonsdale Bridge, the HDD alternative is recommended, downstream of the Lonsdale Bridge.
6.6.4 KwaNkwebu River – Mjali Gravity and Mjali / Nompumelelo Raising Main Pipeline Crossings
The crossing point for the Mjali Gravity Pipeline and the Nompumelelo Raising Main is along an existing pedestrian and stock path from the Nompumelelo Village that crosses the KwaNkwebu River, and the route joins up with the existing vehicle track on the east bank leading to the Mjali Borehole and South Down Village. The vegetation at this site is cleared and the riparian trees are mainly the widespread and common Buffalo Thorn (Acacia caffra) tree. Erosion is also present at the existing path. There is also a wetland located in close proximity to the river crossing.
Although the HDD alternative presents a low disturbance to the river crossing, the HDD alternative is not considered to be feasible or viable due to the relatively isolated location of the crossing point which would require larger areas of vegetation to be cleared for access and for the two sites on either side of the river for the drilling equipment. The establishment areas for the drilling equipment may also have a higher impact as it is likely to encroach within the wetland area.
The conventional trenching method (excavations) requires the removal of indigenous riparian vegetation and soils as well as the temporary flow diversion. However the pipeline routes would follow existing tracks, which will need to be widened.
The suspended alternative is not feasible as there are no existing support structures at the crossing or in close proximity.
Considering the overall potential impact on the KwaNkwebu for the Mjali Gravity Pipeline and the Nompumelelo Raising Main Crossing, the conventional trenching method is recommended.
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CHAPTER 7 CHAPTER 7: IMPACT ASSESSMENT
7.1 Impact on Heritage Resources
7.1.1 Summary of HIA Findings
No archaeological sites relating to materials and rock art older than 100 years, wrecks older than 60 years or military items older than 75 years were identified during the study. Heritage sites that were noted in close proximity to the proposed project include graves, burial sites and historic buildings.
Although much of the study area is built up both formally and informally none of the structures with the exception of a single bridge structure (Lonsdale Bridge, HIA site 001) could be considered of high heritage significance. Several church buildings of possible historic origin were noted, although none would be endangered.
The Kings Cross Railway Siding structures (HIA site 002) consist of historic vernacular buildings constructed from corrugated iron, and are well preserved.
A community graveyard is noted at HIA Site 003 located within 100m of the pipeline route.
HIA Site 004 is a possible grave located within the alignment of the proposed pipeline. Interviews with local informants indicated that the “headstone” could possibly be a border marker rather than a tombstone. They were however unsure of the reason for the associated elongated earthen mound. There is still a high likelihood that this could be a grave and it should be treated as such.
HIA Site 005 is a semi-formal graveyard located close to the Mdange village. According to the current alignment the proposed pipeline will pass close to the edge of this graveyard. According to local informants this cemetery has been in use for many years and it is likely that unmarked graves could be located in the surrounding area. The site is approximately 1,5 ha in size and could contain upwards of 100 graves. Some graves have formal granite dressings while others are merely indicated by earthen mounds.
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HIA Site 006 is site indicated by a local informant of an area inhabited during the 1970’s and where residents buried their families in the vicinity of their residences. A cattle fence on both the northern and western side demarcates the area. The burial site would only be found on the southern and eastern side of this fence. There are no surface indicators of graves or ruins in the area.
The Cistecephalus and Dicynodon Assemblage Zones are moderately fossil rich. There is a possibility that fossils will be discovered within the study area.
Refer to Appendix D for the HIA.
7.1.2 Summary of HIA Recommendations
The following presents a summary of the recommendations included in the HIA, and have been taken into consideration in Sections 7.1.3 to 7.1.5.
Due to the limited footprint of the proposed development the impact on the ground is anticipated to be very low. For this reason, it was easy to avoid any areas of high heritage potential. Where there is clear conflict between the location of heritage sites and the proposed development it is recommended that the alignment of the pipelines be altered to ensure the safety of the sites. Especially with the burial sites it is important to keep at least a 50m buffer zone around them.
Although neither the provincial legislation nor the National Heritage Resources Act (No 25 of 1999) gives specific recommendations for the protective buffer zones to be adhered to for the protection of graves in imminent danger of damage through development, some standard recommendations are in general use. As a rough recommendation it is suggested that proposed developments stay at least 50 meters away from the edge of graveyards or singular graves. In situations where the proposed development cannot be moved this far from the grave it is acceptable, with the necessary monitoring and precautions, to come to at least 10m from the edge of the known burial ground.
The following minimum buffer zones are recommended for this project. Where the development is going to come closer than the recommended 50m buffer zone it is important that the following measures are put in place to ensure the safety of the gravesites:
a) The area should not be at an incline lower than the development, if the construction work is to result in increased erosion.
b) The known burial site should be demarcated with barrier tape.
c) The Environmental Site Agent should be made aware of the location of the burials.
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d) Heavy-duty excavation equipment should not be allowed to access the site of the burial.
e) Any indicators of exposed graves should be monitored and handled as indicated.
f) If the development cannot be moved more than 10 meters from the burial site, the relocation of the grave/s should be considered.
If the development were to intrude closer than 15m from the gravesite it would become necessary to have a qualified heritage practitioner on site during the excavation phase to monitor the excavations.
The study site needs to be investigated before construction and after excavations have taken place. Fossils exposed on the surface need to be salvaged before construction.
A working relationship should be established between the ECO and the project palaeontologist. Excavations should be halted if fossils are uncovered during the process and the ECO should contact the palaeontologist for advice before continuing excavations or construction.
Due to the fact that it would be impractical and very expensive for a qualified palaeontologist to be present at the site for the duration of construction, the responsibility of the recording of fossil localities as they are discovered will fall upon the ECO. Fossil localities should be recorded in all cases by means of photographs and GPS readings and written up in a log book with the date, locality, photograph number and short description of the site.
It is important for the ECO to familiarise him- or herself with the fossils which could be expected in this region. It is very important that the ECO accompanies the palaeontologist on his or her site visits in order to be sensitised to the occurrence and appearance of fossils in their natural state.
The excavations and collection of fossils should be performed by a qualified palaeontologist and with a permit from the South African Heritage Resources Agency. The fossils should preferably be donated to a fossil repository after collection – in this case the Albany Museum in Grahamstown.
7.1.3 Buildings and Sites of a Historic Nature
Note the specialist utilised a different impact rating system to that considered in this document and thus certain impact ratings differ. The specialist assessment was also undertaken on the original pipeline route.
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The following assessment is undertaken on the preferred pipeline route and the Lonsdale Bridge and Kings Cross sites (HIA Sites 001 and 002).
The proposed Berlin Potable Water Pipeline is located approximately 23m south of the Lonsdale Bridge; refer to Figure 7-1. The pipeline will be constructed via the Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) construction method, and the areas required for the HDD equipment are located to the south of the Lonsdale Bridge.
The proposed Berlin Potable Water Pipeline is located approximately 33m to the east of the nearest structure at the Kings Cross site and will not cross to the south of the access road where the structures are located, refer to Figure 7-2. A 10m construction width is recommended where the pipeline turns in a south westerly direction.
There is no impact associated with the No-Go Alternative as there would be no in status as no activities would be undertaken.
Given the specialist’s input and professional consideration, and contextualised within the impact assessment as presented in Table 7-1, the potential loss of historical buildings and structures are considered to be very low, especially with appropriate mitigation measures being implemented, during both construction and operational phases.
Figure 7-1: Lonsdale Bridge
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Figure 7-2: Kings Cross Structures
Table 7-1: Assessment of Buildings and Sites of a Historic Nature Theme Heritage: Buildings and Sites of a Historic Nature Phase Construction Phase Operational Phase “No go” Loss of / damage to Loss of / damage to historical buildings and historical buildings and structures due to No change in Nature and status structures due to construction and status maintenance activities; associated activities; Direct, Negative Direct, Negative Extent Local (2) Local (2) N/A Duration Medium Term (2) Long Term (3) N/A Intensity Very Low (2) Very Low (2) N/A) Probability Unlikely (1) Unlikely (1) N/A Confidence High N/A Level of (2+2+2)*1=6 (2+3+2)*1=7 N/A significance Very Low (negative -) Very Low (negative -) N/A Reversibility Partly reversible Partly reversible N/A Replaceability No loss of resources No loss of resources N/A Cumulative Negligible to None Negligible to None N/A Level of No change in significance with Very Low (-) Very Low (-) status mitigation Mitigation Pipeline excavations should be monitored for measures any sub-surface sites. The project engineer should monitor the effects of increased vibrations and dust pollution during N/A the construction phase. The Kings Cross site to be shielded with rigid blast shields if blasting is to occur in within 100m of the site.
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7.1.4 Graves and Burial Sites
Note the specialist utilised a different impact rating system to that considered in this document and thus certain impact ratings differ. The specialist assessment was also undertaken on the original pipeline route.
The following assessment is undertaken on the preferred pipeline route and the graves and the burial sites (HIA Sites 003 to 006).
The burial site at HIA Site 003 is located approximately 330m to the east of the proposed Bhisho Potable Water Pipeline, and would not be impacted upon by construction or maintenance activities (refer to Figure 7-3). The specialist incorrectly indicated this site as being within 100m of the pipeline route.
HIA Site 004 is the potential single grave and is located approximately 14m to the west of the proposed Bhisho Potable Water Pipeline, refer to Figure 7-3. A 10m construction width is recommended where the pipeline traverses the 50m buffer of the potential grave site.
The proposed Bhisho Potable Water Pipeline has been re-aligned and no longer falls within 10m of the eastern edge of the semi-formal graveyard at the Mdange village, HIA Site 005. The re-aligned pipeline traverses within the 50m buffer for approximately 105m along the south eastern side. A stockpile area also falls within the south eastern corner of the 50m buffer area. The majority of the graves are located within the northern and western areas of the graveyard site, and no graves are located within the south eastern section of the overall heritage area. The proposed additional pipelines for the Mjali Gravity Pipeline and the Mjali – Nompumelelo Rising Main are located approximately 65m outside the 50m buffer area and will not impact on the semi-formal graveyard or buffer areas. Refer to Figure 7-4.
The proposed Raw Water Pipeline traverses through the north eastern corner of the 50m buffer area for the informal burial site at HIA Site 006. The pipeline is located the north of the fence line and will not impact on the burial site, which is located to the south of the fence. The proposed Border Post Gravity Main traverses through the eastern section of the 50m buffer area. Refer to Figure 7-4.
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Figure 7-3: HIA Sites 003 and 004
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Figure 7-4: Heritage Sites 005 and 006
There is no impact associated with the No-Go Alternative as there would be no change in status as no activities would be undertaken.
Given the specialist’s input and professional consideration, and contextualised within the impact assessment as presented in Table 7-2, the potential loss of graves and burial sites are considered to be very low, especially with appropriate mitigation measures being implemented, during both construction and operational phases.
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Table 7-2: Assessment of Graves and Burial Sites Theme Heritage: Graves and Burial Sites Phase Construction Phase Operational Phase “No go” Loss of / damage to Loss of / damage to graves / burial sites graves / burial sites due to construction No change in Nature and status due operational and associated status activities; activities; Direct, Negative Direct, Negative Extent Local (2) Local (2) N/A Duration Medium Term (2) Long Term (3) N/A Intensity High (8) Low (4) N/A Probability Probable (2) Improbable (1) N/A Confidence High N/A Level of (2+2+8)*2=24 (2+3+4)*1=9 N/A significance Low (negative -) Very Low (negative -) N/A Reversibility No No N/A Replaceability No No N/A Cumulative Medium None N/A Level of No change in significance with Very Low (-) Very Low (-) status mitigation Mitigation The ECO and Contractor’s Environmental Officer measures to know the location of the grave sites. If grave sites are located at a lower elevation level, erosion protection measures are to be implemented along the construction area. The existing burial / grave sites are to be demarcated with orange netting or visible droppers, but not with danger / barrier tape. Heavy-duty excavation equipment not to be N/A allowed to access burial / grave sites. If any human remains are located within the construction areas, the Resident Engineer is to report this to the South African Police Service (SAPS). Human remains confirmed younger than 60 years (to be confirmed by the police forensic unit or archaeologist) are to be dealt with through the SAPS and if older than 60 years an archaeologist will need to appointed for relocation of the remains.
7.1.5 Paleontological Sites
The Balfour Formation of the Beaufort Group is renowned for its fossils. The Balfour Formation coincides with the upper part of the Adelaide Subgroup which is dominated by the Dicynodon Assemblage Zone. The lower part of the Balfour Formation yields fossils associated with the Cistecephalus Assemblage Zone. The Cistecephalus and Dicynodon Assemblage Zones are moderately fossil rich. There is a possibility that fossils will be discovered within the study area.
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There would be no impacts during the operational phase, as any impacts would only occur in the construction phase. If any fossils are found during excavation activities these would be removed and it is highly unlikely that no new fossils would be found during maintenance activities in the operational phase.
Due to the fact that it would be impractical and very expensive for a qualified palaeontologist to be present at the site for the duration of construction, the responsibility of the recording of fossil localities as they are discovered will fall upon the ECO.
There is no impact associated with the No-Go Alternative as there would be no change in status as no activities would be undertaken.
Given the specialist’s input and professional consideration, and contextualised within the impact assessment as presented in Table 7-3, the potential loss of paleontological sites (fossils) are considered to be low, especially with appropriate mitigation measures being implemented, during construction phase.
Table 7-3: Assessment of Paleontological Sites Theme Heritage: Paleontological Sites Phase Construction Phase Operational Phase “No go” Loss of / damage to fossils due to No change in Nature and status construction and N/A status associated activities; Direct, Negative Extent Local (2) N/A N/A Duration Medium Term (2) N/A N/A Intensity High (8) N/A N/A Probability Highly Probable (3) N/A N/A Confidence High N/A Level of (2+2+8)*3=36 N/A N/A significance Medium (negative -) N/A N/A Reversibility No N/A N/A Replaceability No N/A N/A Cumulative Medium N/A N/A Level of No change in significance with Low (-) N/A status mitigation Mitigation The Environmental Control Officer (ECO) as well measures as the construction managers/foremen and Contractor’s Environmental Officer to be informed before construction starts on the possible types of heritage sites (e.g. archaeological, palaeontological) and cultural material they may encounter and the procedures N/A to follow when they find sites. The ECO and Contractor’s EO to undertake an “informal training course” at a museum to ensure knowledge of archaeological and palaeontological artefacts. The ECO is to monitor all construction areas for
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Theme Heritage: Paleontological Sites Phase Construction Phase Operational Phase “No go” any archaeological or palaeontological materials. This includes monitoring of the clearing of the dense vegetation, excavations for pipelines and other underground/buried infrastructure and all above ground construction activities Should any heritage (archaeological or palaeontological) artefacts be exposed (above or below surface), work on the area where the artefacts were discovered, shall cease immediately and the find brought to the immediate attention of the Resident Engineer or his representative who will report it to the Eastern Cape Provincial Heritage Resources Authority The area will be fenced off with a radius of 50m around the unearthed item (archaeological or paleontological), demarcated as a no-go area and access will be prohibited. Sufficient time should be allowed to investigate and to remove/collect such material. The Resident Engineer or ECO must then arrange for the appointment of a qualified archaeologist or palaeontologist to examine the site and recommend further action. Public access to be limited and the area to be placed under security. No media statements should be released until the heritage practitioner has analysed the findings. The excavations and collection of archaeological artefacts or fossils are to be performed by a qualified archaeologist or palaeontologist and with a permit from the South African Heritage Resources Agency. The artefacts or fossils to be donated to a repository after collection, e.g. the Albany Museum in Grahamstown. Following consultation with the archaeologist or palaeontologist and ECPHRA, the Resident Engineer or his representative will be responsible for approving the Contractor’s resumption of normal activities. The ECO is to record all archaeological or fossil localities by means of photographs, GPS readings and written in a log book with the date, locality, photograph number and short description of the site
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7.2 Impact on Terrestrial Biodiversity
7.2.1 Summary of Ecological Findings
7.2.1.1 Vegetation
Mucina & Rutherford (2006) characterise this vegetation as Open Savanna with small trees of Acacia natalitia with a short to medium dense sour grassy understorey usually dominated by Themeda triandra when in good condition. Mucina & Rutherford (2006) provide a list of 37 important species characterising this vegetation type of which 20 have been recorded. Grasses were mixed and dominated by Eragrostis spp., Digitaria eriantha, Cymbopogon spp., Sporobolus africanus and Tristachya leucothrix amongst others. Some of the grass species listed as important include Heteropogon contortus, Eragrostis capensis and E. chloromelas but were not recorded however are likely to be present. Themeda triandra was only recorded along the Bhisho Potable Water Pipeline between Points 22 and 25 but may have been overlooked in other sections. For the most part the vegetation was dominated by grasses which formed dense swards except where the grazing pressure was substantial but even here grasses were still dominant. Most of the grasses were not in flower at the time of the survey which made identification difficult.
Forb abundance with the exception of Centella asiatica and Richardia braziliensis, was low throughout the length of the pipeline routes but total species richness was good. A large proportion was present throughout but consistently new additions were recorded along the route. Where changes in soil type took place differences in the vegetation composition was also apparent although this was mostly reflected by the appearance of forbs not previously seen. This was evident in sections between points 18 to 36 and 44 to 45 where the presence of species such as Crassula tetragona ssp acutifolia, Bergeranthus leightoniae, Pelargonium sidoides and Tephrosia lupinifolia were recorded.
Many of the species listed in Appendix E were only recorded in the road reserve perhaps a result of translocations and soil disturbances during the construction of the road and later, and many are alien ruderal species. For the most part the vegetation along the road reserve was not typical for Bhisho Thornveld although many of the constituent species were also present.
Currently anthropogenic impacts on the vegetation away from the road reserve is low except for the areas between Points 7 to 14, 18 to 22, 39 to 44, part of 44 to 45 and most of 45 to 50. In contrast most of the vegetation in the existing road reserve has been impacted in the past during construction and encroached by ‘alien’ species as mentioned previously.
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With the exception of Pelargonium sidoides which is listed as Declining, none of the plants recorded are regarded as rare or threatened according to the Red Data List of Plants (SANBI 2014). However, some Eastern Cape endemic species were recorded which therefore have a higher sensitivity rating than species with wider distributions. Most of these have specific habitat requirements which may be limited in extent.
Refer to Appendix E for the Ecological Report.
7.2.1.2 Avifauna and Terrestrial Fauna
Few species of vertebrate fauna were recorded along the pipeline route. Although many species are expected to occur considering the state of the vegetation, including some possible Red Data species, such as Martial Eagle Polemaetus bellicosus and Cape Vulture listed as Vulnerable, are unlikely to reside due to unsuitable habitat, the proximity of humans and lack of prey.
Some of the mammals likely to occur are listed as Data Deficient and one, the White- tailed Rat Mystromys albicaudatus as Endangered. None of the reptiles and amphibians likely to occur are rare or threatened.
The presence of termite mounds along the route is of importance to small mammals, reptiles and some amphibians which overwinter in moribund mounds but only those that have decayed to some extent allowing access along the now exposed tunnels which lead throughout the mound. Such mounds provide refuges from grass fires and extremes of climate.
Refer to Appendix E for the Ecological Report.
7.2.2 Summary of Ecological Recommendations
7.2.2.1 Vegetation
The vegetation in the sections between points RW1 and RW3 and part of RW3 to RW5 are mostly in good quality habitat where most of the impact will take place. Could this pipeline not be re-routed along existing roads i.e. the Groot Kei Road and the R63, as this appears to be the shortest route.
Although the impact of the proposed pipeline is low it will be least if laid within the existing road reserve particularly where populations of Bergerathus leightoniae are concerned, but not for Pelargonium sidoides as it occurs both in the road reserve as well as inside the fenced off farmland between points 34 and 36.
Failing that, such plants should be relocated away from the proposed route in suitable habitat.
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7.2.2.2 Avifauna and Terrestrial Fauna
With regard to the fauna, mitigation measures are mostly aimed at terrestrial fauna as the impact on the avifauna would be low and mostly limited to disturbance although nests of ground-nesting birds will also be vulnerable. The following measures should be considered:
When clearing of vegetation, the least impact will be if this takes place from one point allowing animals to gradually move out of the site. Trench digging should preferably be during the winter months when reptile and amphibian activity is lowest and most birds are not breeding. Trench digging, pipe-laying and refilling should be conducted as a continuous operation to avoid trapping mammals, reptiles and amphibians especially during spring and summer. Trapped fauna should be removed and released away from the construction site. Where moribund termitaria are present these should be opened up and any vertebrate fauna captured and released away from the site.
7.2.3 Terrestrial Vegetation
The laying of the pipelines will result in the removal of current species and introduce ruderals and weeds resulting in poor grazing in these areas and the possible translocation of such plants to other areas. The pipeline reserves will reduce the grazing potential along its route. The proposed Raw Water Pipeline extends through areas of low disturbance and the veld is in good condition. The WTW and raw water dam site encompasses an area of approximately 70 ha of good vegetation condition and composition with 50 species being recorded although two namely Richardia braziliensis and Paspalum dilatatum are alien. The construction of a Potable Water Reservoir, WTW and a Raw Water Dam will have a negative impact on the vegetation of this area with the destruction of habitat and the introduction of alien weeds. Apart from some erosion along a small drainage line arising in the dam site area the remainder of the site is in good condition.
Impacts related to vegetation clearance will be on the sections indicated as medium to high sensitivity, i.e. at the WTW and dam site, along the proposed Raw Water Pipeline between points RW1 to RW3, RW4 to RW7, along the Bhisho Potable Water Pipeline between points 8 to 14, 26 to 22, 25 to 26, along the Berlin Potable Water Pipeline between points 27 to 28, 33 to 38, 44 to 45. Areas indicated as high sensitive areas are due to the populations of Bergeranthus leightoniae and Pelargonium sidoides.
A total of 24 alien plant species were noted and nine (9) species fall within the listed categories of CARA and/or NEMBA for declared invader plants.
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Stockpile areas have been indicated along the pipeline routes where construction widths are limited to 10m for the stockpiling of soils. However some of these stockpile areas are located adjacent to areas that have been indicated as high sensitive vegetation areas. It can be anticipated that the same vegetation sensitivity is thus also located at the areas for these stockpiles. The area sizes required for the stockpiles plus a 10m width area for the pipeline route does not differ greatly when compared to the area size required for a 20m width only. It is thus recommended that the construction width in areas of high sensitive vegetation remains as 20m in order to avoid clearing large rectangular areas for stockpiles. Stockpile areas that are required in areas with a vegetation classification of low or medium can be undertaken but the areas should be limited to only that which is necessary.
There is a low impact associated with the No-Go Alternative due to the potential of the alien invasive plants spreading into the surrounding areas.
Given the specialist’s input and professional consideration, and contextualised within the impact assessment as presented in Table 7-4, the loss of vegetation and spreading of alien invasive species are considered to be a low impact, with appropriate mitigation measures being implemented, during construction and operational phases.
Table 7-4: Assessment of Terrestrial Vegetation Theme Ecological: Terrestrial Vegetation Phase Construction Phase Operational Phase “No go” Loss of vegetation and Spread of alien spread of alien Loss of vegetation invasive species due invasive species due due to spreading Nature and status to maintenance and to construction and of alien species; associated activities; associated activities; Direct, Negative Direct, Negative Direct, Negative Extent Local (2) Local (2) Local (2) Duration Medium Term (2) Long Term (3) Long Term (3) Intensity Medium (6) Medium (6) Medium (6) Probability Definite (4) Probable (2) Probable (2) Confidence High Level of (2+2+6)*4=40 (2+3+6)*2=22 (2+2+6)*2=20 significance Medium (negative -) Low (negative -) Low (negative -) Reversibility Yes Yes Yes Replaceability Yes Yes Yes Cumulative Low None Low Level of significance with Low (-) Low (-) Low (-) mitigation Mitigation Population samples of Bergerathus leightoniae measures and Pelargonium sidoides are to be collected prior to construction commencing by a qualified botanist. The collected plants to be used in N/A landscaping within the WTW or community areas, or removed to a BCMM plant nursery. Yellowwood trees within the pipeline route are to be avoided where possible. If unavoidable then
Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM 154 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
Theme Ecological: Terrestrial Vegetation Phase Construction Phase Operational Phase “No go” Yellowwood seedlings and saplings within the pipeline route are to be relocated. A licence to be obtained from the DAFF prior to construction in affected areas for the relocation and/or destruction of protected trees. Clearing of vegetation to be kept to the 20m construction width for the pipeline routes. Vegetation to be cleared only for the reservoir, WTW and raw water storage dam construction footprint areas. For stockpile areas, haul roads, construction office and laydown areas the vegetation occurring inside the demarcated activity zone should be cut to ground level, leaving the roots and soil undisturbed rather than removed. All the areas cleared must be rehabilitated with suitable indigenous vegetation immediately upon completion of the construction works. Rehabilitate the excavated areas with hydroseeding to re-establish vegetation. The Contractor is responsible for carting away and disposal of spoil material at an approved disposal site. Work areas must be clearly demarcated, e.g. with droppers and/or orange netting but not with danger tape, so that construction workers limit their impact to these areas alone. Alien plant regrowth is to be monitored during construction on-site by the Contractor’s Environmental Officer and any such species to be removed either by physical or chemical means by the Contractor. Alien plant growth to be monitored and area to be kept free of alien invasive and noxious plants by the BCMM during the operational phase
7.2.4 Avifauna and Terrestrial Fauna
The impact on the fauna will likely be relatively low due to the relatively limited area affected and the proximity of the pipeline to settlements and roads. Most impacts will be during the construction phase with animals becoming displaced and trapped during soil disturbances. Grass and ground nesting birds, rodents, insectivores, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates will be affected.
The impact on birds would mainly be during the construction phase. Construction activities, and related noise, would disturb the birds, but it is expected that the birds would move out of the area until construction is complete.
Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM 155 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
Terrestrial fauna and birds are not expected to be impacted upon during the operational phase.
There is no impact associated with the No-Go Alternative as there would be no change in status as no activities would be undertaken.
Given the specialist’s input and professional consideration, and contextualised within the impact assessment as presented in Table 7-5, the impact on avifauna and terrestrial fauna is considered to be low during construction, especially with appropriate mitigation measures being implemented.
Table 7-5: Assessment of Avifauna and Terrestrial Fauna Theme Ecological: Avifauna and Fauna Phase Construction Phase Operational Phase “No go” Disruption to avifauna and terrestrial fauna due to construction No change in Nature and status N/A and associated status activities; Direct, Negative Extent Local (2) N/A N/A Duration Medium Term (2) N/A N/A Intensity Medium (6) N/A N/A Probability Probable (2) N/A N/A Confidence Medium (2+2+6)*2=20 N/A N/A Level of No change in significance Low (negative -) N/A status Reversibility Yes N/A N/A Replaceability Yes N/A N/A Cumulative None N/A N/A Level of No change in significance with Low (-) N/A status mitigation Mitigation When clearing of vegetation the least impact will measures be if this takes place from one point allowing animals to gradually move out of the site. If possible, trench digging should preferably be during the winter months when reptile and amphibian activity is lowest and most birds are not breeding. Trench digging, pipe-laying and refilling should be conducted as a continuous operation to avoid trapping mammals, reptiles and amphibians N/A especially during spring and summer. Trapped fauna should be removed and released away from the construction site. Where moribund termitaria are present these should be opened up and any vertebrate fauna captured and released away from the site. All construction vehicles must stay on single demarcated access tracks to avoid small fauna
Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM 156 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
7.3 Impact on Aquatic Biodiversity
7.3.1 Summary of Aquatic Findings
7.3.1.1 Wetland Areas
Approximately 62 aquatic systems were observed on site. Based on the site observations it was concluded that those identified by the National Wetland Inventory & NFEPA database, that 70% of these were either man-made (i.e. dams or quarries / borrow pits / sand winning). While several of the wetland areas had been modified into dams (11.6%). This was particular true for the small depressions that area easily converted into dams or stock watering areas.
Based on the 6 levels of the National Wetland Classification System (NWCS), 11 remaining systems would be considered natural Inland wetland systems (Level 1), within the South-Eastern Coastal Ecoregion (Level 2). Wetland landscape units (Level 3) were thus valley floors depressions hydrogeomorphic units (Level 4). These wetlands are periodically wet on the surface, but in areas the soils remain saturated at the 50cm soil depth even during the drier winter periods (Level 5). The majority of the vegetation evident were associated with degraded grassland and woodland thickets. Wetland (obligate) species observed included the Bulrush (Typha capensis), sedges (Cyperus) and Setaria species. None of these species observed are listed within any National or Provincial species lists as protected thus will not require any relevant permits should they be removed or disturbed.
The Present Ecological State (PES) for the remaining 11 depressions were rated as A/B. They would have been rated A (Natural) if it were not for the presence of overgrazing, areas of burnt bare ground or secondary vegetation within the catchments of these systems. All other waterbodies in the study area, due to habitat modifiers or being man-made received PES scores of D (largely modified).
The Ecological Importance and Sensitivity of the 11 natural depressions would be rated High, although low in plant species and habitat diversity, large numbers of birds (6 species) were observed roosting and breeding in these depressions. Bird species included:
Spur-winged goose – Plectropterus gambensis Egyptian goose – Alopochen aegyptiaca South African Shelduck (SA endemic) – Tadorna cana Yellow-billed duck –Anas undulata Spectacled weaver – Ploceus ocularis Red-knobbed coot – Fulica cristata
Several frog species are also known to frequent these areas but were not calling during the site visit thus positive identification could not be made.
Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM 157 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
Refer to Appendix F for the specialist report.
7.3.1.2 Aquatic Fauna and Riparian Areas
Only one fish species, the widespread chubbyhead barb (Barbus anoplus) was captured during the May 2015 fish survey (approximately 800m downstream of the Raw Water Pipeline crossing of the KwaNkwebu River). No Eastern Cape Rocky (Sandelia bainsii) were seen or captured at this site. No alien fish species such as the largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) or the banded tilapia (Tilapia sparmanii), which are known to be present downstream in the Yellowwoods River, were captured or seen. The large number (approximately 45) of chubbyhead barbs of all sizes captured during this survey is further evidence that alien predatory fish such as bass were not present in this section of the KwaNkwebu. The negative finding from the preliminary fish survey should be treated with caution and could indicate that Sandelia bainsii may still be present in the KwaNkwebu, but only in low numbers at isolated localities.
The existing instream aquatic habitats in the KwaNkwebu River still appear highly suitable for Sandelia bainsii. The PES of the upper KwaNkwebu is considered to be in a C Ecological Category, which is described as “moderately modified, where some loss and change of natural habitat and biota have occurred but the basic ecosystem functions are still predominantly unchanged.” The Sandelia bainsii surviving in the Yellowwoods River system and particularly those (possibly) present in the KwaNkwebu tributary, have considerable conservation value. The ecological importance and sensitivity (EIS) of the upper KwaNkwebu and is thus considered high. It is therefore of critical importance that the proposed Kei Road Water Conveyance and Water Treatment Works project does not further degrade the existing aquatic habitats supporting Sandelia bainsii.
The PES for the Yellowwoods River is rated as an Ecological Category D - indicating a largely modified system where a large loss of natural habitat, biota and basic ecosystem functions has occurred. The apparent absence of endangered Sandelia bainsii and the presence of alien fish species (banded tilapia, Tilapia sparrmanii) at the Lonsdale Bridge site indicates a moderate ecological importance and sensitivity (EIS).
Refer to Appendix G for the specialist report.
7.3.2 Summary of Aquatic Recommendations
7.3.2.1 Wetland Areas
The final layout of the Water Treatment Works should exclude the wetland areas and their 50m buffer zone.
Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM 158 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
Vegetation clearing should occur in parallel with the construction progress to minimise erosion and/or run-off. Large tracts of bare soil will either cause dust pollution or quickly erode and then cause sedimentation in the lower portions of the catchment. Only indigenous plant species must be used in the re-vegetation process. All construction materials including fuels and oil should be stored in demarcated areas that are contained within berms / bunds to avoid spread of any contamination into wetlands or rivers. Washing and cleaning of equipment should also be done within berms or bunds, in order to trap any cement and prevent excessive soil erosion. These sites must be re-vegetated after construction has been completed. Mechanical plant and tankers/bowsers must not be refuelled or serviced within or directly adjacent to any river channel or wetland area. It is therefore suggested that all construction camps, lay down areas, batching plants or areas and any storage areas should be more than 50m / floodline from any demarcated wetland or riverine area It is also advised that an Environmental Control Officer, with a good understanding of the local flora be appointed during the construction phase. The ECO should be able to make clear recommendations with regards to the re-vegetation of the newly completed / disturbed areas, using selected species detailed in this and the terrestrial vegetation report. All alien plant re-growth must be monitored and should it occur these plants should be eradicated. Where any works (e.g. storm water control measures) near a wetland or river is required specific attention should be paid to the immediate re-vegetation of cleared areas to prevent future erosion of sedimentation issues. Only existing roads should be used during construction – due to the high erosion potential of the area, it is not advisable to construct new access roads. No faunal species may unnecessarily be handled, killed, hunted or harassed during the construction period. Erosion control measures must be put in place prior to any construction activities that would result in soil being exposed. Any damage and loss of soil resulting from a storm is to be remedied immediately. The construction camp and necessary ablution facilities meant for construction workers must be well removed from the wetlands especially undisturbed wetlands. All stockpiled material must be located outside wetlands. There should be no toilet facilities placed close to wetlands areas or waterbodies. No maintenance of machinery is to take place close to wetland areas unless adequate measures have been instituted to ensure that no hydrocarbons ingress into the soil or water
Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM 159 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
Should any of the prescribed erosion mechanism be required within any rivers or water courses, the Water Use Licenses in terms of Section 21, would be required.
7.3.2.2 Aquatic Fauna and Riparian Areas
The potential impacts associated with the pipeline crossings of the upper KwaNkwebu River and the Yellowwoods River at Lonsdale Bridge are considered to be of high significance without appropriate mitigation. The potential impacts at both these crossing could be reduced to low significance by means of Horizontal Directional Drilling. However the bedrock at the KwaNkwebu site indicates that trenching (i.e. placing the pipe below the natural river bed level) could be a suitable alternative method. Construction works to be undertaken with due care so as not to destabilise the river banks and to rehabilitate any damaged riparian vegetation, trenching could thus also be an acceptable option at the KwaNkwebu crossing.
Standard trenching construction methods with adequate gabion protection and rehabilitation of damaged vegetation, are considered appropriate at all the other watercourse crossings.
The Mjali pipelines crossing over the KwaNkwebu River should be located to the south along an existing pedestrian and stock path over the river and then should follow along the edge of an existing vehicle track to the borehole. Regarding the KwaNkwebu crossing for the Mjali pipelines, the following recommendations were made:
The pipeline should be placed along the cleared area of the existing pedestrian / stock path crossing the KwaNkwebu River and along the edge of the existing vehicle track from the river to the Mjali Borehole. The ongoing erosion along this path should be repaired by means of gabions which should be designed to form protection for the pipeline trench as well as provide a suitable path for pedestrians crossing the river. The pipeline should not encroach within about 20m of the southern edge of the identified wetland, the boundaries of which should be delineated using methodologies approved by DWS. All mature trees along the pipeline route, particularly the large Buffalo thorn Ziziphus mucronata located on the edge of the vehicle track some 75m south- east of the river crossing, should not be damaged during construction of the pipeline. All the mitigation measures given in the main Fish Fauna and Aquatic Study Report should apply to the Mjali Borehole pipeline project.
Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM 160 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
7.3.3 Potential Loss of Wetland or Riparian Habitat
Note the specialist utilised a different impact rating system to that considered in this document and thus certain impact ratings differ. The specialist assessment was also undertaken on the original pipeline route. The following assessment is undertaken on the preferred pipeline route.
This impact relates to the potential loss of wetland or riparian habitat (physical destruction), habitat fragmentation and the loss of aquatic biodiversity and species of special concern.
The various proposed pipeline routes traverse through a number of watercourses, as follows:
Raw water pipeline: 9 in total (1 – Perennial (KwaNkwebu), 6 – Non-Perennial (drainage) and 2 – Wetlands); refer to Figure 7-5. Bhisho (All Saints) Potable Water Pipeline: 10 in total (1 – Perennial (Yellowwoods), 7 – Non-Perennial (drainage), 2 – Wetlands; refer to Figure 7-6 and Figure 7-7. Berlin Potable Water Pipeline (Pipeline 1B): 11 in total 1 – Perennial (Yellowwoods), 3 – Non-Perennial (drainage), 4 – Wetlands, 3 – Dams; refer to Figure 7-7 and Figure 7-8. Mjali Gravity Pipeline: 1 in total (1 – Perennial (KwaNkwebu) ; refer to Figure 7-6 Rising Main from Mjali Borehole to Nompumelelo Reservoir: 1 in total (1 – Perennial (KwaNkwebu)) ; refer to Figure 7-6 Hanover Pipeline: 0 Border Post Gravity Main: 6 in total :1 – Perennial (KwaNkwebu), 5 – Non- Perennial (drainage); refer to Figure 7-5 Border Post Rising Main: 1 in total (1 – Non-perennial (drainage)); refer to Figure 7-5
Loss of wetlands or riverine areas could result in the loss of species of special concern as a result of their destruction during the construction phase. This would then limit the potential formation of the required habitats (fauna and flora).
The majority of wetlands (8) affected are either modified wetlands, wetland areas formed in borrowpits or dams, and are classified with a PES of D (largely modified).. The remaining wetlands (5) are classified with an PES Ecological Category of B ‘largely natural with few modifications’ and are located adjacent to the road reserves.
Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM 161 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
Figure 7-5: Raw Water Pipeline & Rural Connection Pipeline Watercourse Crossings
Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM 162 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
Figure 7-6: Watercourse Crossings of Bhisho Potable Water Pipeline & Rural Connection Pipelines
Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM 163 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
Figure 7-7: Bhisho and Berlin Potable Water Pipeline Watercourse Crossings
Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM 164 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
Figure 7-8: Berlin Potable Water Pipeline Watercourse Crossings
Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM 165 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
The PES of the upper KwaNkwebu is considered to be in a C Ecological Category, which is described as “moderately modified, where some loss and change of natural habitat and biota have occurred but the basic ecosystem functions are still predominantly unchanged.” The PES for the Yellowwoods River is rated as an Ecological Category D - indicating a largely modified system where a large loss of natural habitat, biota and basic ecosystem functions has occurred. The other watercourse crossing sites along the pipeline routes are considered to be in a relatively degraded and largely modified present ecological state (PES of C or D) due to previous construction activities, overgrazing, cattle trampling, clearing of indigenous riparian trees and invasion of riparian zones by alien black wattle.
No aquatic flora and fauna species of special concern were evident in the wetland areas. The endangered Sandelia bainsii has been previously noted within the KwaNkwebu and Yellowwood River systems, and their presence should still be considered within these systems. Indigenous riparian vegetation, including Yellowwood trees, as well as alien riparian vegetation will be removed during construction.
During construction it is then expected that the aquatic habitat will be disturbed due to the trenching method to traverse these areas, except for the Yellowwoods River crossing at the Lonsdale Bridge which will be undertaken via the HDD method. The aquatic habitat will not be completely destroyed or fragmented as the pipeline would be buried and the aquatic rehabilitated.
Potential changes to the hydrological regime and increased potential for erosion through diversion and increased velocity of surface flows is an impact during the operational phase. Any exposed pipelines or above ground structures could interfere with natural run-off patterns, diverting flows and increasing the velocity of surface water flows. This then has the potential to increase the potential for erosion in the study area, while increasing sedimentation of downstream watercourses, once flows subside. This would in turn limit the amount of available habitat for the development of a functional riparian zone and instream habitat for the fish. The downstream sedimentation would result in large unnatural sand bank areas that would be colonised by reeds. The reeds then later restrict flows within the system, resulting in flooding of upstream areas. Erosion in the natural wetland areas will lead to head cuts and then these habitats will also be lost.
There is no impact associated with the No-Go Alternative as there would be no change in status as no activities would be undertaken.
Given the specialist’s input and professional consideration, and contextualised within the impact assessment as presented in Table 7-6, the potential loss of wetland or riparian habitat is considered to be low during construction and operational phases, especially with appropriate mitigation measures being implemented
Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM 166 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
Table 7-6: Assessment of Potential Loss of Wetland or Riparian Habitat Theme Aquatic: Potential Loss of Wetland or Riparian Habitat Phase Construction Phase Operational Phase “No go” Loss of wetland and Changes to the riparian habitat due to hydrological regime No change in Nature and status construction and and increased status associated activities; potential for erosion; Direct, Negative Direct, Negative Extent Local (2) Local (2) N/A Duration Medium Term (2) Long Term (3) N/A Intensity High (8) Low (4) N/A Probability Definite (4) Probable (2) N/A Confidence High (2+2+8)*4=48 (2+3+4)*2=18 N/A Level of No change in significance High (negative -) Low (negative -) status Reversibility Yes Yes N/A Replaceability Yes Yes N/A Cumulative None None N/A Level of No change in significance with Low (-) Low (-) status mitigation Mitigation Perennial watercourse and wetland crossings to measures be restricted to a 10m construction width. Pipeline in wetlands (including 50m buffer area) are to be buried. Once backfilled the ground level must be the same as natural levels. The topsoil must be placed back last and only lightly compacted The pipeline trenches along the KwaNkwebu should be located along the existing stock path where the previously dense riparian vegetation has already been cleared. The ongoing erosion along the path for the Mjali pipeline at the KwaNkwebu should be repaired by means of gabions (capped or covered to ensure cattle will continue to use the path) which should be designed to form protection for the pipeline trench as well as provide a suitable path N/A for pedestrians crossing the river. The pipeline should not encroach within about 20m of the southern edge of the identified wetland. All mature trees along the pipeline route, particularly the large Buffalo thorn Ziziphus mucronata located on the edge of the vehicle track some 75m south-east of the river crossing, should not be damaged during construction of the pipeline. To prevent scouring during floods and erosion due to surface run-off, appropriate (best practice) gabion protection works and rehabilitation of the trench scar with appropriate indigenous vegetation will be necessary. It is important to prevent any sediment-laden run-off from all cleared areas, or areas associated with the construction activities (e.g. work camps, lay-down sites) from entering the
Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM 167 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
Theme Aquatic: Potential Loss of Wetland or Riparian Habitat Phase Construction Phase Operational Phase “No go” river channels. During construction activities within the river or watercourse channels, the working areas should be isolated by means of coffer dams from any sporadic flows that may occur, even if the watercourse is completely dry when the work starts. This should divert any untimely river flooding from entering the work area. If possible, work in the river channels / watercourses should preferably be undertaken during the driest months of the year (May to August), although precautions to prevent flood damage to construction work should be taken at all times. Gabion protection works to be monitored and maintained.
7.3.4 Sedimentation and Elevated Turbidity in Riparian Zone
Increased sediment input and raised turbidity levels in the rivers due to disturbance of the bed and banks could have serious negative impacts on aquatic habitats and biota. The negative impacts of elevated turbidity on fish and other aquatic biota, include:
The whole food web can be disrupted due to reduced light penetration and photosynthesis, resulting in reduced primary production and a reduction in submerged plant life, including phytoplankton. Reduced number of benthic organisms (e.g. benthic algae, crabs, small aquatic invertebrates) due to altered substrate composition and smothering. Clogging, abrading and damage to fish gills, leading to reduced oxygen absorption, damage to gill filaments, resulting in increased stress, disease and even death. Smothering of newly fertilized fish eggs and larval fish. Reduced feeding efficiency and slower growth rates, even starvation of fish – this can have a major impact on visual predators as they are unable to see and find enough food in the turbid water and filter feeders are unable to cope with a high proportion of non-food items. The sediment loads associated with the elevated turbidity can fill in deep refuge pools in the river channel, altering important marginal habitats due to excessive reed growth. Silt deposits can smother clean rocky, areas that provide fish spawning habitat for Sandelia bainsii.
Erosion and bank collapse at ephemeral drainage lines could result in sediment being washed into downstream rivers, and should thus be avoided.
Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM 168 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
Clearing of top-soil and vegetation cover in preparation for trench construction near the watercourse crossings, particularly in the riparian zone, could increase soil erosion and sediment input into the adjacent river channel. Run-off from newly- cleared areas near watercourses during construction may increase soil erosion and sediment levels in surface stormwater run-off, resulting in sedimentation and elevated turbidity in the adjacent river channel. Construction activities within the river channel itself could mobilise, fine sediments (particularly during rains) and will elevate the turbidity within the watercourse. Generation of high levels of dust during earth-moving activities adjacent to the watercourses during very windy weather may result in wind-blown dust entering the channel, increasing the risk of elevated turbidity.
During the operational phase, unless all disturbed areas on the banks and riparian zones at the watercourse crossings are adequately stabilized with vegetation and/or well-designed erosion-protection works which are adequately maintained, flood damage and bank erosion and slumping could occur, resulting in elevated sediment input into the river.
In addition to the impacts of elevated sediment levels on aquatic biota outlined above, the existing deep pools in downstream reaches could silt up. These pools provide critical refuge for fish during low flows and the occasional no-flow periods, thus preventing disastrous fish kills during prolonged droughts. Any alteration to the characteristics of the Bio-monitoring sampling site associated with the pipeline construction through the river channel, could impact on subsequent data collection and thus the value of the continuous long-term data from this national bio-monitoring site. The other watercourse crossing sites along the pipeline routes are considered to be in a relatively degraded and largely modified present ecological state (PES of C or D) due to previous construction activities, overgrazing, cattle trampling, clearing of indigenous riparian trees and invasion of riparian zones by alien black wattle. The downstream reaches of these watercourses are considered to have a moderate ecological importance and sensitivity (EIS) due the presence of alien fish species and the absence of the endangered Sandelia bainsii in these downstream reaches.
No-Go Alternative: Areas eroding along river banks or in surrounding tributaries would increase the sediment and turbidity in the rivers.
Given the specialist’s input and professional consideration, and contextualised within the impact assessment as presented in Table 7-7, the sedimentation and elevated turbidity is considered to be low, especially with appropriate mitigation measures being implemented, during both construction and operational phases.
Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM 169 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
Table 7-7: Assessment of Sedimentation and Elevated Turbidity in Riparian Zone Theme Aquatic: Sedimentation and Elevated Turbidity in Riparian Zone Phase Construction Phase Operational Phase “No go” Increased Increased Increased sedimentation and sedimentation and sedimentation and turbidity levels in rivers turbidity levels in rivers turbidity levels in Nature and status due to construction due to maintenance rivers due to and associated and associated continued erosion; activities; activities; Direct, Negative Direct, Negative Direct, Negative Extent Local (2) Local (2) Local (2) Duration Medium Term (2) Long Term (3) Long Term (3) Intensity High (8) High (8) High (8) Probability Highly Probable (3) Probable (2) Probable (2) Confidence High Level of (2+2+8)*3=36 (2+3+8)*2=26 (2+3+8)*2=26 significance Medium (negative -) Low (negative -) Low (negative -) Reversibility Yes Yes Yes Replaceability Yes Yes Yes Cumulative Low Low Low Level of significance with Low (-) Low (-) Low (-) mitigation Mitigation Perennial watercourse crossings to be restricted measures to a 10m construction width. The pipeline trenches along the KwaNkwebu should be located along the existing stock path where the previously dense riparian vegetation has already been cleared, no blasting is to be undertaken when constructing the pipeline trench through the bedrock as this could kill fish in adjacent areas, and detailed method statements by the contractor will need to be submitted and approved by the appointed environmental control office (ECO) and resident engineer (RE) prior to any work commencing. A detailed method statement by the contractor will need to be approved by the ECO and RE prior to site establishment and operation of the HDD programme at the Lonsdale Bridge. N/A The ongoing erosion along the path for the Mjali pipeline at the KwaNkwebu should be repaired by means of gabions which should be designed to form protection for the pipeline trench as well as provide a suitable path for pedestrians crossing the river. The pipeline should not encroach within about 20m of the southern edge of the identified wetland. All mature trees along the pipeline route, particularly the large Buffalo thorn Ziziphus mucronata located on the edge of the vehicle track some 75m south-east of the river crossing, should not be damaged during construction of the pipeline. To prevent scouring during floods and erosion due to surface run-off, appropriate (best practice) gabion protection works and
Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM 170 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
Theme Aquatic: Sedimentation and Elevated Turbidity in Riparian Zone Phase Construction Phase Operational Phase “No go” rehabilitation of the trench scar with appropriate indigenous vegetation will be necessary. It is important to prevent any sediment-laden run-off from all cleared areas, or areas associated with the construction activities (e.g. work camps, lay-down sites) from entering the river channels. During construction activities within the river or watercourse channels, the working areas should be isolated by means of coffer dams from any sporadic flows that may occur, even if the watercourse is completely dry when the work starts. This should divert any untimely river flooding from entering the work area. If possible, work in the river channels / watercourses should preferably be undertaken during the driest months of the year (May to August), although precautions to prevent flood damage to construction work should be taken at all times. Gabion protection works to be monitored and maintained.
7.3.5 Water Quality
Chemical pollutants (hydrocarbons, drilling and cleaning fluids) associated with the construction activities and machinery used at the pipeline crossing sites can be very harmful to aquatic biota. During rainfall events or after accidental spillages, these chemicals could be washed into the adjacent watercourse and then downstream, posing a risk to downstream aquatic biota, as well as stock or local villagers drinking river water. Uncured concrete and dry cement powder could contaminate the watercourse – e.g. due to untimely high flows or heavy rains during construction. It is important to note that uncured cement is highly alkaline and could significantly raise the pH of any water in contact with it to levels lethal to fish life.
During the operational phase, the supernatant from the silt process lagoons will overflow into a common constructed wetland which will act as a final polishing step with a retention of 6 hours before flowing via a pipeline/ or open channel to the Henyane watercourse. The supernatant water quality is anticipated to have a pH of 6.0- 6.5, with aluminium levels below SANS 241 limits (they will be the same as those in the treated water which must comply with SANS 241). Water which overflows from the process silt lagoons into the constructed wetlands and the river will only occur in emergency periods, when the process silt lagoons are reaching maximum capacity and switch over to one of the other process silt lagoons is required. Thus this occurrence should be seen as very infrequent.
Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM 171 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
The use of Bentonite (Sodium Bentonite) as a lubricating fluid for the HDD operations is considered a good option, provided no other toxic substances are added. Bentonite is generally considered non-toxic to fish at low concentrations. However, a high concentration of finer particle sodium bentonite will clog fish gills, reducing oxygen uptake and could cause fish kills. Provided due care is taken to avoid large spills, good quality bentonite is considered the preferred lubricating fluid for drilling in sensitive environments.
There is no impact associated with the No-Go Alternative as there would be no change in status as no activities would be undertaken.
Given the specialist’s input and professional consideration, and contextualised within the impact assessment as presented in Table 7-8, the impact to water quality is considered to be low during construction and very low during operation, especially with appropriate mitigation measures being implemented
Table 7-8: Assessment of Water Quality Theme Aquatic: Water Quality Phase Construction Phase Operational Phase “No go” Chemical pollutants Water quality from the entering watercourses silt process lagoons due to construction Nature and status due to operations and No change in status and associated associated activities; activities; Direct, Negative Direct, Negative Extent Local (2) Local (2) N/A Duration Medium Term (2) Long Term (3) N/A Intensity High (8) High (8) N/A Probability Highly Probable (3) Improbable (1) N/A Confidence High Level of (2+2+8)*3=36 (2+3+8)*1= N/A significance Medium (negative -) Low (negative -) No change in status Reversibility Yes Yes N/A Replaceability Yes Yes N/A Cumulative Low Low N/A Level of significance with Low (-) Very Low (-) No change in status mitigation Mitigation Strict use and management of all hazardous measures materials used on site Strict management of potential sources of pollution (hydrocarbons from vehicles & machinery, cement during construction, etc.). Containment of all contaminated water before it can enter the adjacent watercourse N/A Strict control over the behaviour of construction workers in the vicinity of the watercourse crossings. Water quality from the silt process lagoons to be tested every 3 months. If water quality falls outside the parameters additional treatment
Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM 172 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
Theme Aquatic: Water Quality Phase Construction Phase Operational Phase “No go” options should be considered. WTW staff to be trained correctly in the process silt lagoons to avoid overflows from the silt process lagoons. Good quality bentonite is the preferred lubricating fluid for HDD.
7.4 Impact on Agricultural Land and Soils
The main agricultural activities occurring within the proposed areas involve stock farming; e.g. cattle, and sheep farms; and communal grazing areas. A potential loss of agricultural land would occur in these areas where servitudes would need to be registered to accommodate the proposed pipelines. A further impact is the potential loss of soils due to construction works and erosion by wind and water at construction areas and soil stockpiles.
Overall construction will take place over a maximum 20m width, and where the construction width decreases to 10m, designated stockpiles will be used for temporary storage of soil. During the construction phase no agricultural activities would be able to take place where construction works are being undertaken. During the operational phase, a 10m servitude will be required for the pipeline routes, and as the pipeline would be buried stock farming could continue within the servitude area.
During the operational phase, erosion may occur at the spillway of the raw water storage dam during lengthy drought periods when the vegetation has receded and bare soil is present.
No Go Alternative: Existing eroded areas along the pipeline routes may continue to erode and loss of soils would increase.
During construction the impact on the loss of agricultural land, including communal grazing areas and soils will be greater due to the construction widths required and will be reduced during the operational phase. The potential loss of agricultural land and soils is considered to be low (Table7-9), with appropriate mitigation measures being implemented, during construction and maintenance phases.
Table 7-9: Assessment of Agricultural Land and Soils Theme Agricultural Land and Soils Phase Construction Phase Operational Phase “No go” Loss of agricultural Loss of agricultural Loss of agricultural land and soils due to land and soils due to land and soils due Nature and status construction and maintenance and to continued associated activities; associated activities; erosion; Direct, Negative Direct, Negative Direct, Negative Extent Local (2) Local (2) Local (2) Duration Medium Term (2) Long Term (3) Long Term (3)
Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM 173 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
Theme Agricultural Land and Soils Phase Construction Phase Operational Phase “No go” Intensity Medium (6) Medium (6) Medium (6) Probability Highly Probable (3) Probable (2) Probable (2) Confidence Medium Level of (2+2+6)*3=30 (2+3+6)*2=22 (2+3+6)*2=22 significance Medium (negative -) Low (negative -) Low (negative -) Reversibility Yes Yes Yes Replaceability Yes Yes Yes Cumulative Low None Low Level of significance with Low (-) Low (-) Low (-) mitigation Mitigation Where it is impossible to avoid removing a fence measures to install the pipeline, temporary fencing will be provided by the Contractor until the construction work is completed and the fence is reinstated. The standard of the fencing will be agreed upon with the farmer before any work commences. Construction widths not to exceed 20m. Construction areas to be cleared in phases to reduce the amount of exposed surfaces at one time. Temporary stabilization measures must be used to prevent erosion of recently cleared areas until rehabilitation is successful. These can include the use of gravel bags, straw and other matting materials, hay bales, siltation fences, N/A sedimentation basins, grassy swales, hydro- seeding, and straw mulching. Construction must be halted in excessive weather conditions (e.g. high rainfall and wind events) that will exacerbate erosion. All disturbed sites should be re-vegetated and rehabilitated immediately after construction so as to limit the exposure of the disturbed areas to wind and water erosion. Erosion control to be undertaken as part of the maintenance activities. Spillway of the raw water storage dam to be checked after heavy rainfall periods for any erosion.
7.5 Impact on Visual Integrity
Any change in a local view through the introduction of new infrastructure in the line- of-sight of a viewer can be considered a visual impact. Visual impacts are subjective and usually considered most significant when the development is dissimilar to other developments in the area, is readily viewed from areas of public access, such as paths, roads and viewpoints, or is placed in areas which are characterised by significant natural features.
Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM 174 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
The proposed Kei Road WTW and Conveyance could cause visual impacts through the transformation of open grassland to a raw water dam and WTW, and potentially of the pipeline routes through undeveloped land. The pipeline routes in close proximity to existing roads or tracks will present a lower visual impact.
There is no impact associated with the No-Go Alternative as there would be no change in status as no activities would be undertaken.
During construction the visual impact will be greater due to the construction widths required and will be reduced during the operational phase once vegetation has re- established, and the raw water storage dam has filled with water. The visual impact of the WTW will be low during the operational phase as the WTW is approximately 350m from the R63 and Border Post settlement, and the surrounding community will become accustomed to the structure. The visual impact regarding the expansion of reservoirs at Border Post, Nompumelelo, Hanover and Berlin will be low due as there are existing reservoirs in the three areas.
The visual impact is considered to be low during construction and operational phase (Table7-10), with appropriate mitigation measures being implemented.
Table 7-10: Assessment of Visual Integrity Theme Visual Integrity Phase Construction Phase Operational Phase “No go” Loss of visual integrity Loss of visual integrity and change in and change in landscape due to landscape due to No change in Nature and status construction and maintenance and status associated activities; associated activities; Direct, Negative Direct, Negative Extent Local (2) Local (2) N/A Duration Medium Term (2) Long Term (3) N/A Intensity Medium (6) Low (4) N/A Probability Highly Probable (3) Probable (2) N/A Confidence Medium (2+2+6)*3=30 (2+3+4)*2=18 N/A Level of No change in significance Medium (negative -) Low (negative -) status Reversibility Yes Yes N/A Replaceability Yes Yes N/A Cumulative None None N/A Level of No change in significance with Low (-) Low (-) status mitigation Mitigation Rehabilitation of pipeline route to be undertaken measures progressively, i.e. as soon as a section of the pipeline route is completed then rehabilitation is to be undertaken. Local endemic vegetation to be used for rehabilitation procedures. N/A Fast growing local endemic trees should be planted along the northern and western perimeter boundary of the WTW.
Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM 175 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
7.6 Impact on Traffic and Road Infrastructure
Potential traffic impacts relate primarily to the anticipated increase in vehicle usage of national, provincial and district roads and to the possible deterioration of the pavement conditions of these roads, by heavy vehicles. This includes material delivery vehicles and vehicles that will travel daily to and from construction camps or from licensed quarries to the sites being worked on at any given time.
The overall Bhisho Potable Water Pipeline route has been amended in certain sections to allow for the requirements from SANRAL. These include the future upgrading of the R63, the placement of the pipeline at least 10m from the R63 fence and the proposed pipeline to remain a minimum of 27m from the centre line of the existing R63. The WTW and raw water storage dam are located away from the existing R63 and would not impact on any future realignment of the R63.
There is no impact associated with the No-Go Alternative as there would be no change in status as no activities would be undertaken.
The impact on traffic and road infrastructure is considered to be low during construction and the operational phase (Table7-11), with appropriate mitigation measures being implemented.
Table 7-11: Assessment of Traffic and Road Infrastructure Theme Traffic and Road Infrastructure Phase Construction Phase Operational Phase “No go” Increase in traffic and Increase in traffic and impact on road impact on road infrastructure due to infrastructure due to No change in Nature and status construction and maintenance and status associated activities; associated activities; Direct, Negative Direct, Negative Extent Regional (3) Regional (3) N/A Duration Medium Term (2) Long Term (3) N/A Intensity Medium (6) Very Low (2) N/A Probability Highly Probable (3) Probable (2) N/A Confidence Medium (3+2+6)*3=33 (3+3+2)*2=16 N/A Level of No change in significance Medium (negative -) Low (negative -) status Reversibility Yes Yes N/A Replaceability Yes Yes N/A Cumulative None None N/A Level of No change in significance with Low (-) Low (-) status mitigation Mitigation Road safety and traffic control to be undertaken measures during construction. Point-persons should direct traffic at all major N/A access points to and from the construction sites. Permission to be obtained from SANRAL for pipeline crossings of the R63 and for
Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM 176 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
Theme Traffic and Road Infrastructure Phase Construction Phase Operational Phase “No go” infrastructure within the building line. Notification is to be provided to SANRAL of commencement, within 14 days. Access to residences must not be affected
7.7 Impacts on Existing Infrastructure and Services
Existing infrastructure and services, including roads, Telkom and Eskom lines, could be impacted upon during the construction phase. This is due to the pipeline route being situated adjacent to existing infrastructure, e.g. roads. Disruption to provincial and local roads will occur where the pipeline will cross over roads. Power supply may be interrupted with the construction of the raw water storage dam, as it is anticipated that the medium voltage Eskom line would need to be relocated outside of the dam footprint.
No impact to existing infrastructure and services is anticipated during the operational phase.
There is no impact associated with the No-Go Alternative as there would be no change in status as no activities would be undertaken.
The impact to existing infrastructure and services is considered to be low during construction (Table7-12), with appropriate mitigation measures being implemented.
Table 7-12: Assessment of Existing Infrastructure and Services Theme Existing Infrastructure and Services Phase Construction Phase Operational Phase “No go” Disruption to existing infrastructure and services due to No change in Nature and status N/A construction and status associated activities; Direct, Negative Extent Regional (3) N/A N/A Duration Medium Term (2) N/A N/A Intensity Medium (6) N/A N/A Probability Highly Probable (3) N/A N/A Confidence Medium (3+2+6)*3=33 N/A N/A Level of No change in significance Medium (negative -) N/A status Reversibility Yes N/A N/A Replaceability Yes N/A N/A Cumulative None N/A N/A Level of No change in significance with Low (-) N/A status mitigation Mitigation A pre-construction survey must be conducted by measures N/A the Contractor prior to the commencement of the
Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM 177 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
Theme Existing Infrastructure and Services Phase Construction Phase Operational Phase “No go” construction works to locate existing services Road safety and traffic control to be undertaken during construction. Existing infrastructure and services are to be demarcated prior to construction. If existing services cannot be relocated, these are to be accommodated in the construction works. Should an existing service be damaged, affected residents will be notified in writing within 8 hours of the incident occurring and temporary alternative services will be provided by the Contractor The medium voltage Eskom line to be relocated prior to any construction works commencing at the raw water storage dam and appropriate consultation to be undertaken with Eskom in this regard. Areas for construction works to be clearly demarcated at the reservoir sites. Wayleaves to be obtained prior to construction starting.
7.8 Nuisance Impacts: Dust and Noise
Dust pollution relates not only to the construction activities on-site but also to the movement of construction vehicles along gravel roads. The intensity and extent of dust depends on the area cleared for the pipelines, WTW, raw water storage dam and reservoir sites. During the operational phase dust may occur should the dam water levels be low and sediment is exposed, or when clearing of sediment is undertaken.
During the construction phase activities which give rise to noise and vibration relate to vehicles, blasting and equipment. Blasting activities may be required. Noise and vibration impacts are expected to be more prominent in developed areas. During the operational phase, noise would be limited to the immediate area surrounding the WTW and would thus not affect the surrounding community.
There is no impact associated with the No-Go Alternative as there would be no change in status as no activities would be undertaken.
The nuisance impacts relating to dust and noise is considered to be low during construction and the operational phase (Table7-13), with appropriate mitigation measures being implemented.
Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM 178 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
Table 7-13: Assessment of Dust and Noise Theme Dust and Noise Phase Construction Phase Operational Phase “No go” Dust and noise Dust and noise pollution due to pollution due to operational / No change in Nature and status construction and maintenance and status associated activities; associated activities; Direct, Negative Direct, Negative Extent Local (2) Local (2) N/A Duration Medium Term (2) Long Term (3) N/A Intensity Medium (6) Low (4) N/A Probability Highly Probable (3) Probable (2) N/A Confidence Medium (2+2+6)*3=30 (2+3+4)*2=18 N/A Level of No change in significance Medium (negative -) Low (negative -) status Reversibility Yes Yes N/A Replaceability Yes Yes N/A Cumulative None None N/A Level of No change in significance with Low (-) Low (-) status mitigation Mitigation On-going implementation of dust suppression measures and control measures on any dust generating surface. Clearing of vegetation on areas requiring trenching and excavations only. Grasses are not to be cleared at laydown areas or construction camp. Potable water is not to be used for dust suppression. Vehicles and machinery to be kept in good working order with the prescribed mufflers and silencers. N/A Noisy activities to be undertaken during normal working hours, i.e. 07h00 to 18h00 on weekdays, 07h00 to 13h00 on Saturdays. No work is to be undertaken on Sundays or public holidays. Neighbouring I&APs are to be informed 24 hours in advance of any blasting activities. The Contractor’s accommodation area should preferably be located a reasonable distance away from farms, to limit the amount of pedestrian and vehicle traffic and noise near farms
7.9 Impact on Employment Opportunities
Limited opportunities for skilled workers, semi-skilled workers and unskilled labourers could be created during the construction phase of the project (approximately 50 positions). There is thus the opportunity for locals with the necessary construction
Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM 179 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
related skills to become involved, as it is foreseen that a limited number of subcontractors with the required construction related experience could be involved in the process. During the operational phase, limited skilled employment will be created for the operation of the WTW (approximately 10 positions).
There is no impact associated with the No-Go Alternative as there would be no change in status as no activities would be undertaken.
The impact relating to employment opportunities is considered to be low positive during construction and the operational phase (Table7-14), with appropriate mitigation measures being implemented.
Table 7-14: Assessment of Employment Opportunities Theme Employment Opportunities Phase Construction Phase Operational Phase “No go” Creation of Creation of employment due to employment due to operational / No change in Nature and status construction and maintenance and status associated activities; associated activities; Direct, Positive Direct, Positive Extent Regional (3) Regional (3) N/A Duration Medium Term (2) Long Term (3) N/A Intensity Low (4) Low (4) N/A Probability Highly Probable (3) Probable (2) N/A Confidence Medium (3+2+4)*3=27 (3+3+4)*2=20 N/A Level of No change in significance Low (positive +) Low (positive +) status Reversibility Yes Yes N/A Replaceability Yes Yes N/A Cumulative None None N/A Level of No change in significance with Low (+) Low (+) status mitigation Mitigation The use of local labour should be maximised. measures The tender documentation should stipulate the N/A use of local labourers or enterprises.
7.10 Public Health, Safety and Security Impacts
During the construction phase the potential health impacts include the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases to construction workers by local sex workers. Safety and security impacts refer to the increased risks of veld fires in the open space areas due to construction worker practises (e.g. smoking, cooking and heating), the increased risk of vehicular and pedestrian accidents because of construction vehicle movements, general risks related to construction activities (e.g. trenches and excavations) as well as the perceived increase in crime because of outsiders being in the area. Additional impacts may include damage to farm fencing, and a perceived threat to stock farming.
Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM 180 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
Safety and security impacts during the operational phase relate to the maintenance of the pipelines and reservoirs as well as any emergency work that may need to be undertaken. An additional impact is the use and storage of chlorine gas in the WTW. The WTW staff would be at a greater risk to any accidental release of chlorine gas compared to the Border Post community (located approximately 350m from the WTW). Risk mitigation measures and the OHS requirements for the storage and management of chlorine gas will be strictly followed. This will include the provision of a vacuum room for storage of chlorine gas, with chlorine leak detection, alarm, controlled ventilation of the air in the room through a scrubber to remove the chlorine in the air. A further safety impact is possible drownings in the raw water storage dam due to unrestricted access.
There is no impact associated with the No-Go Alternative as there would be no change in status as no activities would be undertaken.
The impact relating to public health, safety and security is considered to be very low during construction and the operational phase (Table7-15), with appropriate mitigation measures being implemented.
Table 7-15: Assessment of Public Health, Safety and Security Theme Public Health, Safety and Security Phase Construction Phase Operational Phase “No go” Risks to public health, Risks to public health, safety and security due safety and security due to operational / No change in Nature and status to construction and maintenance and status associated activities; associated activities; Direct, Negative Direct, Negative Extent Local (2) Local (2) N/A Duration Medium Term (2) Long Term (3) N/A Intensity Medium (6) Medium (6) N/A Probability Probable (2) Probable (2) N/A Confidence Medium (2+2+6)*2=20 (2+3+6)*2=22 N/A Level of No change in significance Low (negative -) Low (negative -) status Reversibility Yes Yes N/A Replaceability Yes Yes N/A Cumulative None None N/A Level of No change in significance with Very Low (-) Very Low (-) status mitigation Mitigation Signs must be erected at strategic locations measures throughout the construction areas, warning the public and site visitors about the hazards around the construction site and the presence of heavy vehicles. N/A Related hazard warning signs to be erected at the WTW and raw water storage dam throughout the operational phase. The WTW and raw water storage dam to be
Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM 181 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
Theme Public Health, Safety and Security Phase Construction Phase Operational Phase “No go” fenced. Escape ropes/buoys are to be provided in the dam. Adjacent landowners are to be notified 14 days prior to construction commencement in their vicinity. Where it is impossible to avoid removing a fence to install the pipeline, temporary fencing will be provided by the Contractor until the construction work is completed and the fence is reinstated. The standard of the fencing will be agreed upon with the farmer before any work commences. Damage to any existing fence that will not be removed for the pipeline construction is to be replaced by the Contractor. Access to and from the construction site(s) should be closely monitored and contractors should be required to make the necessary arrangements for the transport of workers to and from the site on a daily basis. The construction area must be demarcated and access controlled for the duration of the construction period. Visitors to report to the Site Office, and appropriate Protective Personal Equipment to be worn by visitors. Discuss the safety and security issues, as well as construction schedule with the local community policing forum, farmers association and local SAPS. Compliance with the relevant health and safety procedures and regulations during construction and operations. Constructions areas are to be clearly demarcated where the pipeline traverses through settlement areas. Construction workers are to be educated on health related issues. Fire fighting equipment (according to the fire risk) to be available on site at all times. The Contractor will not be allowed to access private property without consent from the landowner. Aurecon will indicate no-go areas to the Contractor. Farmers should inform the Environmental Control Officer or Engineer if the Contractor is found to trespass on private land OHS requirements for the storage and management of chlorine gas will be strictly followed
Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM 182 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
7.11 Impact on the Provision of Water Resources
Water is a scarce resource in the area and the proposed Kei Road WTW and Conveyance seeks to alleviate the pressure on potable water resources. Additional rural connection pipelines have been included in order to provide water to the adjacent Mjali and Peelton areas within the BCMM. Infrastructure has been included in three areas (at Border Post, Hanover and Nompumelelo) in order to ensure there is a sufficient supply of water to the Bhisho areas during the interim time until the WTW and raw water storage dam is operational.
Two future off take connection points on the Berlin pipeline are envisaged, i.e. at Hanover and Kings Cross, on the bulk potable water pipelines. These connection points have been included in the design, however the project does not include the installation of potable water reticulation lines. Should the farmers need domestic water, an application must be made to the BCMM for the installation of a metered connection. This process will happen separately from the current project. The BCMM is busy with a Water Master Plan for the area, and the application for a metered connection will be considered in light of the Master Plan and to consider the best supply arrangement to the farmer without hampering bulk supply to the distribution points.
The No Go Alternative entails that no additional water will be provided to the Bhisho, Berlin and surrounding communities by the proposed scheme. The risk of limited potable water remains where water scarcity is experienced, with a medium negative impact.
During the operational phase the supply of potable water may be disrupted due to water leaks on the various pipelines, which would lead to a loss of water and revenue for the BCMM. The potential loss of water is considered to be low positive (Table7- 16), with appropriate mitigation measures being implemented, during the maintenance phase.
Table 7-16: Assessment of Provision of Water Resources Theme Water Resources Phase Construction Phase Operational Phase “No go” No additional Loss of potable water source of potable due to leaks or pipe Nature and status N/A water for Bhisho bursts; and Berlin; Direct, Negative Direct, Negative Extent N/A Regional (3) Regional (3) Duration N/A) Long Term (3) Long Term (3) Intensity N/A High (8) High (8) Probability N/A Highly Probable (3) Highly Probable (3) Confidence Medium Level of (N/A (3+3+8)*3=42 (3+3+8)*3=42 significance N/A Medium (negative -) Medium (negative -) Reversibility N/A Yes Yes
Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM 183 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
Theme Water Resources Phase Construction Phase Operational Phase “No go” Replaceability N/A Yes Yes Cumulative N/A Low Low Level of significance with N/A Low (+) Medium (-) mitigation Mitigation The pipelines are to be monitored for any leaks. measures Water leaks or pipe bursts are to be fixed No mitigation immediately.
7.12 Waste Management
Impacts relating to ineffective waste management procedures may lead to the dumping of building rubble, littering and pollution of the surrounding areas as well as unsanitary (toilet) conditions. Construction waste will increase the amount of waste disposed to landfill, including cleared vegetation. Excavated material that will not be used in the construction works, should be used as fill material on any eroded areas before the option of disposing the material to landfill is undertaken.
During operation, waste impacts relate to the processed silt waste from the WTW being stored incorrectly, potential contamination and an increase in the amount of waste disposed to landfill. The removal of sediment within the raw water storage dam will increase the amount of waste to landfill.
There is no impact associated with the No-Go Alternative as there would be no change in status as no activities would be undertaken.
The impact relating to waste management is considered to be low during construction and very low during the operational phase (Table7-17), with appropriate mitigation measures being implemented.
Table 7-17: Assessment of Waste Management Theme Waste Management Phase Construction Phase Operational Phase “No go” Ineffective waste Ineffective waste management leading management leading to pollution due to to pollution due to No change in Nature and status operational / construction and status maintenance and associated activities; associated activities; Direct, Negative Direct, Negative Extent Local (2) Local (2) N/A Duration Medium Term (2) Long Term (3) N/A Intensity Medium (6) Medium (6) N/A Probability Highly Probable (3) Probable (2) N/A Confidence Medium (2+2+6)*3=30 (2+3+6)*2=22 N/A Level of No change in significance Medium (negative -) Low (negative -) status Reversibility Yes Yes N/A
Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM 184 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
Theme Waste Management Phase Construction Phase Operational Phase “No go” Replaceability Yes Yes N/A Cumulative None None N/A Level of No change in significance with Low (-) Very Low (-) status mitigation Mitigation Cleared vegetation to be mulched or disposed of measures at a licensed landfill site (e.g. regional East London site). Stockpiles of vegetation not to be left on site. Good housekeeping to be undertaken at all times. No illegal dumping or burning of waste allowed. Waste is not to be buried. Where possible, the contractor must register with the local waste exchange programme for re-use and recycling of construction rubble. Awareness raising to be undertaken with the construction workers regarding health and environmental impacts from illegal dumping. Any excavated material not reused on site (e.g. backfilling or filling of eroded areas), to be disposed of at a licenced landfill site. Waste bins are to be located at the construction camp and construction sites. Bins are to have secured lids to prevent waste from being blown into the surrounding area and to prevent animals scavenging in the bins. Domestic and general construction waste to be N/A disposed of at a licensed landfill site. The Contractor may not utilise the municipal waste collection services. Proof of disposal must be kept at the site office by the Contractor. Chemical toilet facilities to be provided at construction areas and secured to the ground, cleaned at least weekly. Water should be provided for washing and sanitary bins for women. Waste to be disposed of at a licensed wastewater treatment works. No hazardous waste material to be disposed of as general waste. Hazardous waste to be stored separately in impermeable (i.e. leak proof) containers, and if possible sent for recycling.
The WTW staff to be trained regarding the procedures for the silt waste lagoons. The properties of the processed silt and the natural surrounding soil to be analysed to monitor the impacts of silt leakage and disposal. The quality of the silt waste is to be tested in order to determine viability of using the silt on agricultural land. If proven to be acceptable, the
Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM 185 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
Theme Waste Management Phase Construction Phase Operational Phase “No go” silt should be provided to local farmers. Should it be necessary to remove sedimentation from the raw water storage dam, the sedimentation should be tested to determine the quality and viability of use on agricultural land. Silt and sedimentation that is not able to be reused is to be disposed of at a licenced waste disposal site.
Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM 186 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
Chapter 8 CHAPTER 8: PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCESS
8.1 Public Participation in the EIA Phase
The objective of the Public Participation Process (PPP) in the EIA phase of the project is to present the findings of the investigations to the stakeholders and to provide them with an opportunity to comment on these. In order to achieve this, the Draft EIA Report is available for review by registered I&APs and Organs of State / State Departments for a period of 40 days, i.e. from 9 February – 22 March 2016. The availability of the EIA Report and meetings with I&APs (if required) will be conducted as in the scoping phase of the EIA process. All registered stakeholders on the stakeholder database will be notified in writing (i.e. e- mail or fax). Comments and issues raised will be noted in an updated version of the Issues and Responses Report. These comments will then be considered and incorporated into the Final EIA Report for submission to the DEDEAT.
8.2 EIA Phase Programme
The key dates for the EIA process are listed in Table 8-1.
Table 8-1: Key Dates for EIA Process
Date Activity 3 December 2014 Submission of Application Form to DEDEAT 6 March to 20 April 2015 State Departments and Public Review of Draft Scoping Report 13 July to 3 August 2015 State Departments and Public Review of Final Scoping Report 13 July 2015 Submission of Final Scoping Report to DEDEAT 29 September 2015 DEDEAT Acceptance of Final Scoping Report 9 February – 22 March State Departments and Public Review of Draft EIA Report 2016 March - April 2016 State Departments and Public Review of Final EIA Report
Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM 187 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
Date Activity March 2016 Submission of Final EIA Report to DEDEAT April to July 2016 DEDEAT Review of EIA Report July 2016 Environmental Authorisation Issued July - August 2016 Notification of Environmental Authorisation
8.3 Notifications
8.3.1 Announcement of the Project
The announcement of the project included the following: a) Newspaper advertisements appeared in The Daily Dispatch (English) and Die Burger (Afrikaans) on 13 January 2015. Refer to Figure 8-1.
b) Five A2-sized site notices were placed on 15 January 2015 at various places in the project area. Refer to Figures 8-2 to 8-6.
i. One site notice (in Xhosa) Peelton Community Hall. ii. Two site notices (in Xhosa and English) on the boundary fence of the WTW and raw water dam site.
iii. One site notice (in English) at the Berlin Road turnoff from the R63. iv. One site notice (in English) at the Berlin Reservoir site. c) Written notifications, with a Background Information Documents (BID), were distributed to identified stakeholders, including land owners on 13 January 2015. Refer to Appendix C for copies of the notifications and BID.
8.3.2 Draft and Final Scoping Report Review Periods
The objective of the public comment period is for I&APs to raise issues about the information presented in the report and for them to raise any other issues related to the proposed project. Should I&APs wish to register during this period, they would be allowed to.
The Draft Scoping Report was made available to registered I&APs and Organs of State / State Departments for a 40 day review period, from 6 March to 20 April 2015. Refer to Appendix C for proof of notifications and proof of delivery.
Comments and issues raised during the public review period of the Draft Scoping Report have been incorporated in the Final Scoping Report.
The Final Scoping Report was made available to I&APs and Organs of State / State Departments for a further 21 days, from 13 July to 3 August 2015.
Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM 188 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
Figure 8-1: Copy of Newspaper Advertisements
Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM 189 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
Figure 8-2: Site Notices
Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM 190 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
Figure 8-3: Site Notice 1 – Peelton Community Hall
Figure 8-4: Site Notices 2 and 3 - Boundary of WTW and Raw Water Dam Site
Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM 191 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
Figure 8-5: Site Notice 4 - Berlin Road and R63 Intersection
Figure 8-6: Site Notice 5 - Berlin Reservoir Site
8.3.3 Draft and Final EIA Report Review Period
The objective of the PPP in the EIA phase of the project is to present the findings of the investigations to the stakeholders and to provide them with an opportunity to comment on these. The Draft EIA Report was made available for review by registered I&APs and state departments for a period of 40 days, from 9 February – 22 March 2016.
On closure of the public review period, comments and issues raised will be noted and the EIA Report and EMPr will be updated, finalised and submitted to the DEDEAT for review and issuing of the EA (whether positive or negative). The Final EIA Report will be made available to registered I&APs and state departments for review and comment over a period of 21 days. Comments on the Final EIA Report will need to be submitted directly to the DEDEAT and copies thereof to be provided to the EAP.
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8.4 Interested and Affected Parties Database
The public were invited to register as Interested and Affected Parties (I&APs) so that they can comment or raise issues on the proposed project. A database (Table 8-2) of I&APs has been compiled, including Organs of State and/or State Departments, and will be updated throughout the EIA process should additional stakeholders or I&APs be identified or request registration.
Table 8-2: Interested and Affected Parties Database
Initial & Surname Organisation N Ncunyona BCMM & Landowner S Mamane BCMM P Taljaard Aurecon J Youthed Aurecon L Bryson Aurecon T Sigabi DEDEAT B Noncembu DEDEAT L. Fourie DWS S. Mokhanya ECPHRA I van der Merwe DAFF M Malgas DAFF T Vetsheza DAFF S Mulalo DAFF A Collet DAFF Agriculture M. Keyser DRPW S Peterson SANRAL R Thompson SANRAL M Mosia SANRAL N Gouws SANRAL B.K Socikwa Amahlati Local Municipality S Nash Amathole District Municipality C Magwanqana Amathole District Municipality M Gaba Amathole District Municipality M Mayekiso BCMM S Bam BCMM - Land Admin J Ismail BCMM - Community Services Graham Smith BCMM - Env Services J. Geeringh Eskom Councillor Mlenze Ward 43 Councillor Nokrexe Ward 45 M. Griffiths WESSA S. Matthews Agriec N.V. Gomomo Project Steering Community T. Ntengento Project Steering Community
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Initial & Surname Organisation N. Tshona Project Steering Community A. Ntushelo Project Steering Community V. Geya Project Steering Community B. Ludziya Project Steering Community V. Sopeni Project Steering Community M. Simandla Project Steering Community W. Mandusi Project Steering Community M.P. Mjikeliso Project Steering Community N. Thwani Project Steering Community A Le Grange Transnet Councillor T Mpendu Ward 9 Amahlati Local Municipality S. Hopewell Private N Muller Amatola Water V Cilliers Berlin & Nahoon Farmers Association O Ahlschlager Berlin & Nahoon Farmers Association J Williams Farmer D Hempel Farmer P Rushmere Farmer H & Mo Bahlmann Sweetwater Meats CC A Bahlmann Hanover Meat Wholesalers Rev. M Qwabaza EC Provincial Council of Churches ZM Tini E:L Industrial Development Zone
8.5 Focus Group Meetings
A focus group meeting was held together with the Project Steering Committee at the Peelton Community Hall on 15 January 2015, thereafter a site visit was undertaken to the project sites. Refer to Appendix C for a copy of the minutes.
A focus group meeting was held with the Project Steering Committee on 17 April 2015, at the BCMM Council Chamber in King Williams Town. Additional focus group meetings were held with the following stakeholders: a) SANRAL, on 28 May 2015 at the SANRAL Port Elizabeth office b) Berlin Farmers Association, on 18 June 2015 at the Bellevue Farm
c) Amatola Water, on 29 June 2015 at the Aurecon East London office Refer to Appendix C for a copy of the minutes.
8.6 Comments and Response
The following table (Table 8-2) presents comments received, by whom, method of communication and response.
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Table 8-3: Comments / Issues and Response
No. ISSUE / COMMENT RAISED BY RESPONSE
1. I would like to register as an I&AP for the S. Hopewell Your details have been added to the Interested and Affected Parties abovementioned project, as advertised in the database. Refer to Chapter 8 of the EIA Report. Email press on 12 January 2015. A Background Information Document was provided on the 16 January 16/01/2015 Please could you supply me with the BID so 2015. that I may submit comment?
2. Well done on these proposals. L Jack Ms Lizna Fourie from DWS has been included as a key stakeholder (as the DWS is a relevant Organ of State for the project). Refer to Chapter 8 We will be glad if your team of consultants in DWS of the EIA Report. this project can list the Department as an IAP Email for comments. The notification with the Background Information Document was sent to 21/01/2015 Ms Fourie on 13 January 2015. NB: Ms Lizna Fourie will be the entry point of those requisite documents wanting to be commented on. This project according to your communication officer: T.Matebese is to address the water challenges, well done.
3. I had a request from Nikite Muller of Amatola L Bryson Ms N Muller has been added to the Interested and Affected Parties Water to be added to the I&AP list for the Kei database. Refer to Chapter 8 of the EIA Report. Aurecon Road Project. A Background Information Document was provided on the 10 February Email 2015. 10/02/2015
4. We have had a meeting last night and it came V Cilliers Registration can be done as an association or individually. The main thing to my attention of the registering as affected Berlin & is to ensure that significant issues are raised so that we can address them parties for the water pipe line (as below). I Nahoon
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No. ISSUE / COMMENT RAISED BY RESPONSE hereby on behalf of the Association wish to Farmers in the assessment process. request to register but realise the closing was Association Confirmation of registration was sent on 23 February 2015, with a 12 Feb 2015. Our concern as a association is Email Background Information Document. that the farmers are requesting to be registered as affected parties now I would like 19/02/2015 Refer to EIA Report Chapter 8 and Appendix C. to if it is still possible and do we register as a association or individually? I would appreciate your reply in this matters as same farmers are directly affected.
5. Concerns are: V Cilliers Security and safety aspects relating to potential theft and damage to farmer’s equipment have been assessed under the impact to Public a) Damage to fencing Berlin & Health, Safety and Security. The impact relating to public health, safety b) Control of Contractors in lands Nahoon and security is considered to be very low during construction and the c) Access to water for affected farmers Farmers operational phase with appropriate mitigation measures being Association implemented. Email The proposed pipeline route will ensure the Contractor will use public 24/02/2015 roads and lands to access the pipe. If Contractor requires access to private roads, the Contractor will have to organize directly with farmer to obtain permission. No Contractors will be allowed on private roads without the permission from the landowner. The provision of water resources will be a low positive impact with the implementation of mitigation measures. Two future off take connection points on the Berlin pipeline are envisaged, i.e. at Hanover and Kings Cross, on the bulk potable water pipelines. These connection points have been included in the design, however the project does not include the installation of potable water reticulation lines. Should the farmers need domestic water, an application must be made to the BCMM for the installation of a metered connection. This process will happen separately
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No. ISSUE / COMMENT RAISED BY RESPONSE from the current project. The BCMM is busy with a Water Master Plan for the area, and the application for a metered connection will be considered in light of the Master Plan and to consider the best supply arrangement to the farmer without hampering bulk supply to the distribution points. Refer to EIA Report Chapters 2 and 7.
6. Am I late to participate in the above Ms M Mosia The process has progressed to the EIA Phase, and participation is open environmental process? during the review period of the Draft EIA Report. SANRAL The Draft Scoping Report was made available for public and state Email departmental review and comment from 6 March to 20 April 2015. A copy 06/03/2015 of the Draft Scoping Report was made available to SANRAL for review and comment. The Final Scoping Report was made available for public and state departmental review and comment from 13 July to 3 August 2015. The Draft EIA Report is available for public and state departmental review and comment from 9 February to 22 March 2016. The Final EIA Report will be made available for review and comment over a 21 day period. Refer to EIA Report Chapter 8.
7. Please send a hard copy to our offices in East Ms L Fourie A hard copy of the Draft Scoping Report was posted, via registered mail, London. to the DWS on Friday, 6 March 2015. Refer to EIA Report Appendix C. DWS A hard copy of the Draft EIA Report will be submitted to the DWS East Email London office. 10/03/2015
8. Can you please remove my email address Mr W As requested your details have been removed from the stakeholder from any further correspondence as I cannot Zietsman database. give any approval of applications?
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No. ISSUE / COMMENT RAISED BY RESPONSE Transnet Email 18/03/2015
9. Requested clarification on the timeframes and Mr Simandla At the time of the PSC Focus meeting, the project was in the Scoping where the project was currently in the EIA Phase. The process has progressed to the EIA Phase. PSC Focus process Group Further public participation will be conducted during the EIA phase. The Meeting Draft EIA Report is available for public review and comment from 9 February to 22 March 2016. 17/04/2015 Once the Final EIA Report is submitted, the DEDEAT then have 105 days to review the Final EIA Report for decision making. Refer to EIA Report Chapter 8.
10. Queried where the spillway would be located Mr Simandla The spillway would be an excavated vegetated channel with a concrete and how it would operate. sill. The spillway would not be a sluice gate found in large dams with PSC Focus concrete walls. Should the dam become full, the water would then flow Group over the spillway into the valley below. Refer to EIA Report Chapter 2. Meeting 17/04/2015
11. Queried as to who would own the diesel Mr Simandla The Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality is the applicant for the proposed generators? works, and would be the owners thereof. Refer to EIA Report Chapter 1. PSC Focus Group Meeting 17/04/2015
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No. ISSUE / COMMENT RAISED BY RESPONSE
12. What is the difference between gravity and Ms Mnyaka For pumped pipelines, pumpstations would be required in order to pump pumped pipelines? water along the pipeline and tends to be more expensive, and also PSC Focus requires electricity. Gravity fed pipelines does not require pumpstations Group and uses gravity and water pressure for water flow. E.g. the water Meeting treatment works is placed at a higher elevation in order for the water to 17/04/2015 flow from the WTW to the reservoirs without the need of pumping. The proposed pipelines are gravity fed pipelines, refer to EIA Report Chapter 2
13. Requested a definition of the word ‘fossils’. Ms Mnyaka Fossils mean the preserved remains of animals, e.g. dinosaurs, or plants from the remote past. Refer to EIA Report Chapter 4. PSC Focus Group Meeting 17/04/2015
14. How deep would be the pipe be buried? Some Mr Ludziya The depth of the pipeline is anticipated to be 2m. It is not expected for the members of his community are saying 10m. pipeline to be at a depth of 10m as this will hamper any maintenance PSC Focus required. Refer to EIA Report Chapter 2. Group Meeting 17/04/2015
15. How would birds may be affected? Mr Ludziya The impact on birds would mainly be during the construction phase. Construction activities, and related noise, would disturb the birds, but it is PSC Focus expected that the birds would move out of the area until construction is Group complete. The impact to birds would be low during construction with Meeting appropriate mitigation measures being implemented. Birds are not 17/04/2015 expected to be impacted upon during the operational phase. Refer to EIA Report Chapter 7
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No. ISSUE / COMMENT RAISED BY RESPONSE
16. Requested for visual integrity to be explained. Mr Ludziya Visual integrity is the change in how the environment looks. E.g. the proposed area for the WTW is open grasslands and the WTW would PSC Focus change how this area looks. The proposed Kei Road WTW and Group Conveyance could cause visual impacts through the transformation of Meeting open grassland to a raw water dam and WTW, and potentially of the 17/04/2015 pipeline routes through undeveloped land. The pipeline routes in close proximity to existing roads or tracks will present a lower visual impact. During construction the visual impact will be greater due to the construction widths required and will be reduced during the operational phase once vegetation has re-established, and the raw water storage dam has filled with water. The visual impact of the WTW will be low during the operational phase as the WTW is approximately 350m from the R63 and Border Post settlement, and the surrounding community will become accustomed to the structure. The visual impact regarding the expansion of reservoirs at Border Post, Nompumelelo and Berlin will be low due as there are existing reservoirs in the three areas. Refer to EIA Report Chapter 7.
17. Construction of additional reservoirs: 1 x 4 Mℓ N Muller The All Saints / Bhisho Reservoirs have a storage capacity of 21.55Ml. reservoir and 2 x 450 kℓ reservoirs. I am The Berlin Low-level Reservoirs have a storage capacity of 6.8 Ml, while Amatola uncertain of the capacity of other reservoirs the Berlin High-level reservoirs have a capacity of 900kl. Water that the WTW will be serving, so I am a little During the studies undertaken by Aurecon it was determined that the All concerned that these additional reservoirs may Email Saints / Bhisho Reservoirs have sufficient storage capacity and no new not be sufficient to cater for storage for a 20/04/2015 reservoirs are required as the All Saints / Bhisho Reservoirs have 56.3 production of 48 Mℓ/day production. Is the hours storage of future Annual Average Daily Demand (AADD), a WTW being oversized for the actual minimum of 36 hours storage is required. The proposed low-level reservoir demands? (providing an additional 4Ml) at the Berlin Reservoirs is due to the existing reservoirs having a 22.0 hours storage of future AADD, a minimum of 36 hours is required. The proposed elevated reservoirs (providing an
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No. ISSUE / COMMENT RAISED BY RESPONSE additional 2 x 450kl) is due to the existing elevated tanks only having a 2 hour storage of future High Level Zone Peak Demand, a minimum of 4 hours is required. The additional reservoirs are proposed in order to ensure that the minimum storage capacity is met. Refer to EIA Report Chapter 2.
18. From the description of the activities, it is not N Muller The proposed project includes a Water Treatment Works, and thus the clear what the proposed discharges are from discharge will be according to a Water Treatment Works. Amatola the WTW? In terms of assessments, discharge Water The discharges emanating from the WTW are as follows: from a waste water treatment works will have a significantly different impact to that from a Email a) Domestic wastewater generated on the site will either be conveyed to the nearest sewer network, currently implemented by another service water treatment works, so which is being 20/04/2015 assessed? provide, otherwise if this sewerage will not be implemented in time, a conservancy tank with soakaway will be provided in the interim. b) Backwash water from the filters will be recycled to the head of the works. c) Process water from the sedimentation tanks will collect in processed silt lagoons. The lagoons will be used sequentially such that when a lagoon is full of sediment it will be retired for ~ 9-12 months during which the remaining water will evaporate. Once the sediment has dried out sufficiently it will be removed by hand/plant and disposed of at a suitable landfill, or land application. The lagoons will be designed with an emergency overflow which will flow through a constructed wetland to the river. The purpose of the constructed wetland is to contain any sediment that may have carried through the lagoons. The supernatant water quality is anticipated to have a pH of 6.0- 6.5, with aluminium levels below SANS 241 limits (they will be the same as those in the treated water which must comply with SANS 241).
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No. ISSUE / COMMENT RAISED BY RESPONSE Water which overflows from the lagoons into the constructed wetlands and the river will only occur in emergency periods, when the lagoons are reaching maximum capacity and switch over to one of the other lagoons is required. Thus this occurrence should be seen as very infrequent and can be limited through adhering to the EMPr during the operational period. The WTW will be designed to recycle most of the process flow. The impact to water quality is considered to be low during construction and very low during operation, with appropriate mitigation measures being implemented. Refer to EIA Report Chapters 2 and 7.
19. The raw water pipeline from the canal to the N Muller The water supply system is to meet the following design requirements: WTW is to cater for 57.6 Mℓ/d (up to 69 Mℓ/d Amatola a) Daily, weekly and seasonal fluctuations in consumer demands means for peak demands is also referenced), to Water that at any point in time the actual flow requirement is not equivalent produce 48 Mℓ/d. This would apparently (necessarily) to the average demand (expressed as the Average equate to a 20% loss of water between raw Email Annual Daily Demand (AADD), i.e. the total annual demand divided by water source and WTW output. Which then 20/04/2015 the number of days in the year). begs the question: where is the water being b) The norm for bulk water supply systems is that a peak factor of about lost? Given the issue of water scarcity, is this 1.5 is multiplied to the AADD to determine the peak period demands an acceptable loss? And how can this be which need to be sustained by the infrastructure during that period. minimised? If the loss is (largely) as a result of Thus the 48 Mℓ/d capacity requirement is for the high demand period evaporation from the raw water storage dam, of the year. then the question is – is this the optimum c) The raw water pipeline was sized to be capable of having a 20% design or site for the storage dam? higher hydraulic capability than the peak output from the water treatment works. This higher capacity is to ensure that: i. Treatment losses are catered for (about 2% to 3% of the production flow rate), but will be sought to be mitigated further by means of backwash water recovery system. ii. Evaporation losses from the raw water dam(s) are estimated to
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No. ISSUE / COMMENT RAISED BY RESPONSE be less than 1% of the annual consumption. iii. The raw water storage dam must be capable of being refilled while water is being simultaneously supplied to the water treatment works during a peak demand period. This type of scenario can be expected after raw water supply interruptions (e.g. possible canal maintenance/repairs, or raw water pipeline maintenance/repairs), i.e. after the dam water levels have been drawn down. To do this, the supply hydraulic capacity must exceed the demand by a fair margin. In a worst case scenario, a 20% margin above peak demand means that completely depleted raw water storage dam (with a volume equal to 14 days of AADD) would be refilled within about 52 days during a peak demand period. iv. The minimum design capacity of 57.6 Ml/d was used to determine the required internal pipe diameter for the raw water supply pipeline. Calculations showed that the smallest standard pipe diameter available to meet this minimum flow requirement was DN 700. The actual capacity of the DN 700 pipeline, however is about 69Ml/d, because its internal diameter is larger than the theoretical diameter needed to meet the exact flow rate. (For comparison a DN 600 pipeline would result in a capacity of 47.9 Ml/d). v. NB: The final installed pipeline’s capacity will be heavily influenced by the final pipeline route, pipe material selections, and river crossing methodology utilised. Hence, the 69Ml/d capacity is only indicative at this stage, and is likely to change. If major changes to the pipeline route or pipe materials choices are required, the final diameter may need revision. However, in all cases, the design objective remains to ensure a minimum flow rate of 57.6 Ml/d.
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No. ISSUE / COMMENT RAISED BY RESPONSE vi. Even though this pipe has a higher capacity than theoretically needed, it is not the intention of this project to make constant use of this capacity. The pipeline will probably only be operated close to its full capacity during storage dam filling operations (i.e. after the pipeline has not been in operation for a number of days or weeks). In other times (i.e. normal operations) its flow requirements will be in proportion to the treatment flow rates (ie. as they vary throughout the year). This would typically be controlled by means of valves on the supply pipeline at the treatment works. Hence, the water supplied through the raw water pipeline over a year will be in proportion to the year’s treatment flow rates (ie. after taking the various types of losses into account). vii. On this basis, the ultimate annual requirement would be about 29Ml/d x 1.03 (treatment losses) x 365 d/annum x 1.01 (dam evaporation) = 11.01 million m³/annum. The annual water requirement was estimated at 11.62 million m³/annum for the Preliminary Design Report and was based on a more conservative estimate of the treatment losses (i.e. at about 10%). It is considered prudent at this stage leave the application’s annual water requirement unchanged. Four alternative sites / layouts for the raw water storage dam were assessed. The site alternatives are limited due to the topography and required placement of the raw water storage dam for the proposed WTW. Overall there is no significant difference between the four alternatives. Refer to EIA Report Chapters 2 and 7.
20. Unless I have missed something in the report, N Muller The extrapolation of the pipe’s full capacity of 69Ml/d to a constant flow I am concerned about the volumes reported. rate for a full year is incorrect (i.e. 69Ml/d x 365 d/yr = 25.2million Amatola
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No. ISSUE / COMMENT RAISED BY RESPONSE Of significant concern is the proposed Water m³/annum). It is not to be operated in that manner; 69Ml/d represents the abstraction volume: at the proposed rate of maximum possible flow rate in the pipe only and not the annual demand Email 57.8 Mℓ/d (for 24 hours), going up to 69 Mℓ/d on the supply. Refer to response under item 19 above for the origin of the during peaks: this calculates to 21 – 25.2 x 106 20/04/2015 69Ml/d. m3/a, and not 11.62 x 106 m3/year (although in Based on the calculations from the Water Master Plan, plus the additional the report this is listed as 11.62 m3/year, which BCMM and ADM rural community demands, the estimated annual future seems highly unlikely) water requirement from the Wriggleswade Dam will be 16.17 million m³/a. Of that, 4.51 million m³/a will be supplied from the Nahoon WTW and 1.095 million m³/a from the existing Kei Road WTW. Allowing for 10% losses in treatment. The resulting annual requirement would be 11.62 million m³ from the proposed Kei Road WTW. A WULA for abstraction of 11.62 million m³ from Wriggleswade dam has been made to the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS). The DWS has confirmed via email correspondence that there is sufficient capacity in the Wriggleswade Dam to provide the volume of water to BCMM which was applied for. Refer to EIA Report Chapter 2 for the calculations.
21. a. The TOTAL available yield from N Muller The Wriggleswade Dam has a yield of 31.80 million m3/a (98% level of Wriggleswade Dam is 31.8 x 106 m3/a, of assurance). The Gubu Dam has a yield of 2.87 million m3/a, and is located Amatola which Amatola Water are licensed to abstract upstream of Wriggleswade Dam. The implementation of Environmental Water 14.6 x 106 m3/a. Not taking any other demands Water Requirements on Gubu and Wriggleswade Dams would reduce the on Wriggleswade Dam into account (i.e. the Email yield by about 8.3 million m3/a. existing Kei Road WTW as well as irrigation 20/04/2015 Current usage (2012) on the Gubu and Wriggleswade Dams amounted to demands and EWR requirements in the about 14 million m3/a (derived from historic usage charts). Kubusi River) nor considering any canal losses in transferring water from the dam to Current allocations for Gubu and Wriggleswade Dams include: the proposed WTW, it would appear as though a) 0.44 million m3/a (1.2Ml/d) for Stutterheim WTW (abstracting the WTW is being designed well in excess of
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No. ISSUE / COMMENT RAISED BY RESPONSE available water. downstream of Gubu Dam) according to the Amathole System Operational Analysis of 2011. However, the Amathole District Municipality’s Water Services Master Plan and the Amatola Reconciliation Strategy note that the Stutterheim WTW has a capacity of 3 Ml/d, with an annual demand of about 1.1 million m3; b) 1.64 million m3/a for Kei Road WTW (4.5Ml/d, abstracting from Wriggleswade canal); c) 0.783 million m3/a for Gubu Dam compensation water irrigation; d) 3.0 million m3/a for Wriggleswade Dam compensation water irrigation, and; e) 5.26 million m3/a run of river abstractions between Gubu and Wriggleswade Dams. The total water allocated equals 11.8 million m3/a, which is less than the actual 2012 usage. Based on the 2012 actual usage, Wriggleswade Dam appears to have a surplus yield of 12.4 million m3/a (after deduction of the EWR). Thus, even when using the most conservative estimate, there is sufficient surplus yield available from Wriggleswade Dam for supply to the proposed project area. A WULA for abstraction of 11.62 million m³ from Wriggleswade dam has been made to DWS. Refer to EIA Report Chapter 2
22. b. The total annual volume proposed to N Muller The proposed WTW capacity is as follows: be abstracted (11.62 x 106 m3/year) is Amatola • AADD (2035): 29 Ml/day equivalent to a daily production of 31.8 Mℓ/d, Water and not 48 Mℓ/d. So what is the WTW • Peak demand (2035): 48 Ml/day Email capacity? Also refer to above response item 20. 20/04/2015 The WTW is proposed to be phased in 3 phases of 16 Mℓ/day each,
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No. ISSUE / COMMENT RAISED BY RESPONSE having a total capacity of 48Ml/day. Refer to EIA Report Chapter 2
23. With reference to Table 20.1 on page 32 (Draft N Muller The design requirements in terms of water demand projections and water Scoping Report): it would appear as though supply resources for the scheme were derived by BCMM’s mater planning Amatola there is inadequate integrated water resource processes. In particular, the results of the King Williams Town Water Water planning taking place. There is no mention of Master Plan informed the feasibility study which was undertaken. These the full extent of available water (e.g. Laing Email Water Master Plans already allowed for an integrated approach of all Dam) and where / how this water usage 20/04/2015 resources. should be optimised. This is a discussion that Water resource planning was also addressed in the Aurecon Feasibility should be taking place with DWS, probably Report. The Laing Dam does not have spare capacity after EWR is taken under the auspices of the Amatole Water into consideration. Various stakeholders were engaged during the Supply System Reconciliation Strategy and feasibility study, options analysis as well as the AWSSRS presentation, should be interrogated thoroughly prior to during which Amatola Water was present and DWS indicated their support making decisions on construction of a new of the project. At this meeting the BCMM and ADM was also present and WTW no party requested that the integrated water resource planning, which extends beyond the scope of this project, must be addressed within the context of this project. Refer to EIA Report Chapter 2
24. It would appear that there is insufficient raw N Muller The dam design has been revised to increase the dam storage to a total water storage for the proposed WTW to cater capacity of 609Ml in order to meet the DWS requirements for 21 days of Amatola for the 14 days of canal downtime, required for storage at AADD, i.e. 29Ml. Initially the dam will be constructed to cater for Water annual inspections and maintenance work. a capacity of 407 Ml (in order to meet a 14 day storage period at AADD). Fourteen days at 58 Mℓ/d would require a Email The initial size of 407 Ml is sufficient to provide the required three week storage capacity of 812 Mℓ. The current dam 20/04/2015 storage during the WTW Phases 1 and 2 (16ML/day and 32 Ml/day, designs (Phase 3) would yield 378 Mℓ storage. respectively). At the WTW’s Phase 3 capacity (48 Ml/day), the dam will Or is it proposed that the WTW is run at less only be able to provide 2 weeks of storage. If it is seen during Phases 1 than its capacity during these canal and 2 that the requirement for a three week storage is a reality (based on
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No. ISSUE / COMMENT RAISED BY RESPONSE maintenance periods? In which case, we’re maintenance performed on the transfer canal), the raw water storage back to the issue of oversized design of the dams will be timeously enlarged to a capacity of 609 Ml for the Phase 3 WTW? The raw water storage dam is also to scenario. (Aurecon, 2015b). The dam will be constructed in 2 phases. act as a settling basin – what implications for Wriggleswade Dam is already acting as a sedimentation basin. The water storage as the dam silts up? Storage Dam Report refers to the provision of some storage for sedimentation, but this is not really required. The Wriggleswade Transfer Canal has a stormwater berm all along the upstream side of the canal in order to divert stormwater and avoid significant volumes of sediment entering the water. It should be noted that planned maintenance can be scheduled for off- peak periods of low water demand. However, there is the risk that unplanned maintenance is required during the periods of peak flow. In this scenario, the water storage in the dam would not be enough to provide water for the entire 14 day canal maintenance period and water restrictions would have to be implemented. Typical water restrictions could include: a. Water cartage from elsewhere b. Reducing non-essential water uses (e.g. Landscaping) c. Imposing low-flow scenarios in the water reticulation through artificial reduction in pressure. Refer to EIA Report Chapter 2.
25. The evaporation ponds are designed to hold 6 N Muller The processed silt lagoon design has been reviewed and is as follows: months’ worth of silt based on 16 Mℓ/d Amatola Estimation of processed silt production and processed silt operation and need to be emptied regularly, Water characteristics: with associated storage or transport issues. It would appear that the 4.92 tons of silt is based Email The treatment process will utilize alum sulphate as the coagulant with an organic polymer to aid the flocculation, thus the silt produced is
Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM 208 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
No. ISSUE / COMMENT RAISED BY RESPONSE on operations of 16 Mℓ/d, but the actual WTW 20/04/2015 considered an Alum Silt. The treatability tests have indicated a wide range being proposed is for 48 Mℓ/d, in which case, of possible Alum doses, thus the silt generation calculations have been the amount of silt produced is being conservative at the higher dosing rate (120mgAlum/l). The average SS underestimated – with storage and transport concentrations are relatively low at 6.5mgSS/l. The anticipated silt related issues. In other words, the full extent of production during Phase 1 is thus 360kg/d, noting that though the plant silt management (and environmental issues) design flow is 16Ml/d, the average demand is anticipated to be closer to may not be assessed adequately? 10Ml/d. Minimizing of processed silt generation: The following sources of silt are managed as follows: • Pulsator silt will drain to the lagoons (this is at the sedimentation stage and will consist of a reasonably concentrated silt: 0.5 - 1.0% concentration) • Clearwell maintenance wastewater (this is an annual occurrence when the silt that accumulates in the clearwell (a fine residue that settles on the clearwell floor) will be drained). • The filter backwash water will be recycled to the head of the works and will not contribute to the silt lagoons • Domestic sewage will not contribute to the processed silt lagoons. This is conveyed to the nearest sewer network, currently implemented by another service provide, otherwise if this sewerage will not be implemented in time, a conservancy tank with soakaway will be provided in the interim. Lagoon design: The Phase 1 lagoon consists of four compartments, catering to the Phase 1 loading only, with a wet loading period of 3 months per compartment, and a drying period of 9 months. Thus the compartments are sized for a 12 month period, with three-monthly silt removal periods proposed. The lagoon geometry has a plan ratio of approximately 1:4 in order to prevent
Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM 209 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
No. ISSUE / COMMENT RAISED BY RESPONSE short circuiting with the inlet and outlet on opposite ends. The lagoons have been designed with a silt depth limited to 900mm, with an additional 900mm depth available above to store the hydraulic load. For Phases 2 and 3, the loading on the silt lagoons will be reviewed and the future lagoons will be sized accordingly. It is anticipated that the design for Phase 1 is very conservative and that the lagoon requirements for Phase 2 and Phase 3 will be much less than was allowed for in Phase 1. The lagoons will be lined with a water proofing geotextile (eg. Geosynthetic Clay Lining) and the base will be covered with a 100mm layer of gravel and a further 200mm of sand. This is to allow for a suitable vehicle to access the lagoon once the processed silt has compacted sufficiently. The sand will not only protect the geotextile, but also provide an indication of the depth of processed silt to be removed to the operator. A ramp into the lagoons with 1:4 slope will be provided in concrete. The supernatant from the lagoons will overflow into a common constructed wetland which will act as a final polishing step with a retention of 6 hours before flowing via a pipeline/ or open channel to the river course. The supernatant water quality will have a pH of 6.0- 6.5, with aluminium levels below SANS 241 limits (they will be the same as those in the treated water which must comply with SANS 241). The option of pumping the supernatant back to the head of the works has been considered, but due to the additional operational and maintenance requirements (on most plants this return recycle is often neglected and not maintained) this has not been considered further. Processed silt drying stage: Once the lagoon has been taken out of service the supernatant will be drained down by the operators to the top of the silt layer. Additionally, subsurface drainage beneath the gravel layer will be provided to aid the
Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM 210 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
No. ISSUE / COMMENT RAISED BY RESPONSE draining of the drying silt. This will be collected in a sump and pumped on a weekly/monthly basis to the live silt drying bed. Processed Silt Disposal: The ultimate fate of the dried processed silt is still to be determined. The options available include: • Landfill disposal (which is costly), • Creating a dedicated line and permitted local landfill on site (which is not sustainable in the long-term); • Co-disposal with Waste Water Treatment Works (WWTW) sludges; • Application of the dried silt to land (this would need to be investigated further if considered a viable option with analysis of the silt and the receiving soils required to determine the appropriate application rate to suit the vegetation type); • Beneficial re-use of the material as either a fertilizer or a building material (bricks) which could also be investigated further if required. Refer to EIA Report Chapter 2
26. There is mention of a constructed wetland N Muller The inclusion of the word ‘back’ was a typing error, and has been before “flowing back to the river”. Let’s be corrected. The volume of water wasted from the sedimentation tanks is Amatola clear – this is NOT flowing BACK to the river – typically in the order of 2-3% of the design flow. The supernatant Water the water did not originate in this catchment (discharge) from the lagoons will overflow into a common constructed but is transferred from another catchment and Email wetland which will act as a final polishing step with a retention of 6 hours thus potentially significantly altering the in- 20/04/2015 before flowing via a pipeline/ or open channel to the river course. The stream flow conditions of the recipient supernatant water quality will have a pH of 6.0- 6.5, with aluminium levels stream/s. The recipient stream would appear below SANS 241 limits (they will be the same as those in the treated water to be a non-perennial stream, which then which must comply with SANS 241). confluences with the Henyane stream and
Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM 211 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
No. ISSUE / COMMENT RAISED BY RESPONSE subsequently the KwaNkwebu River (both of The quality of discharged water will be similar-to-better than the raw water which appear to be perennial). There is no which is treated. The impact to water quality is considered to be low during mention of the potential volumes to the rivers construction and very low during operation, with appropriate mitigation (probably low), but both the water quality and measures being implemented. quantity implications on the recipient rivers Refer to EIA Report Chapters 2 and 7. should to be considered.
27. On page 34 there is reference to demolishing N Muller The dam design has been revised to increase the dam storage to a total of dam walls during phase 3. DWS will surely capacity of 609Ml in order to meet the DWS requirements for 21 days of Amatola have an issue with this, because they will need storage at AADD, i.e. 29Ml. Initially the dam will be constructed to cater for Water to approve the first dam, and then approve a capacity of 407 Ml (in order to meet a 14 day storage period at AADD). demolition of a dam – which they have never Email The initial size of 407 Ml is sufficient to provide the required three week done (to my knowledge). Has there been 20/04/2015 storage during the WTW Phases 1 and 2 (16ML/day and 32 Ml/day, consultation with DWS on this issue? respectively). At the WTW’s Phase 3 capacity (48 Ml/day), the dam will only be able to provide 2 weeks of storage. If it is seen during Phases 1 and 2 that the requirement for a three week storage is a reality (based on maintenance performed on the transfer canal), the raw water storage dams will be timeously enlarged to a capacity of 609 Ml for the Phase 3 scenario. (Aurecon, 2015b). The dam will be constructed in 2 phases. The height of the dam wall will be 9m, and in Phase 2 to be 11m, and the dam will cover an area of approximately 15ha. The DWS have been included as a stakeholder on the Interested and Affected Parties Database. The dam safety license application will be compiled for the full size dam stating that the dam will be constructed in phases. Thus, DWS will be able to issue a license covering the phased construction approach. Refer to EIA Report Chapter 2.
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28. The raw water storage dam does seem to be N Muller The catchment area for the raw water storage dam is approximately 20ha, close to a road – what implications for when and inflow via the canal and raw water gravity pipeline is approximately Amatola the dam is at 100% and there is a significant 0.8m3/s. The spillway (approximately 3m wide) would be an excavated Water rainfall event? vegetated channel with a concrete apron and sill with gabions on either Email side, if necessary, to prevent erosion at the wall. Where steeper sections 20/04/2015 along the channel require more erosion protection, gabions may be installed. The 1:100 year event was taken for the design flood of the dam, with the Probable Maximum Flood (PMF x 0.5) taken as the Safety Evaluation Flood (SEF). The spillway and its discharge channel are designed to pass the design flood. The design flood and the SEF have been evaluated for each the dam in a worst case scenario. Such a scenario involves the occurrence of the flood in question whilst the gravity feed is actively discharging into the dam even though the dam is already full. The maximum spillway capacity (with zero freeboard) for both the Phase 1 and 2 dams is 8.3m3/s.. Four alternative sites / layouts for the raw water storage dam were assessed. The site alternatives are limited due to the topography and required placement of the raw water storage dam for the proposed WTW. Overall there is no significant difference between the four alternatives. The recommended alternative site has considered the existing R63 and future planning for the upgrading of the R63. Refer to EIA Report Chapter 2 and 6
29. Has there been any consideration renewable N Muller There is no excess head in the system for hydraulic in-line turbines. The energy for any of the power requirements? Water Treatment Works has a high electrical demand concentrated on a Amatola small footprint, thus insufficient space on the site is available to consider Water extensive use of renewable energy sources. The continuous operation of Email the WTW, which is crucial, combined with the undependability of wind and
Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM 213 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
No. ISSUE / COMMENT RAISED BY RESPONSE 20/04/2015 solar power, does not make such options viable for this application. Solar geysers will be used for staff accommodation and bathrooms. The proposed power supply would be obtained from an Eskom power line in close proximity to the WTW. A new transformer will be required to obtain electricity. A standby diesel generator will be installed to provide backup power to the entire WTW during power outages. Refer to EIA Report Chapter 2
30. There is mention of mammals and avifauna: N Muller Additional information on invertebrates, reptiles and amphibians has been what about reptiles, amphibians and included in in the description of the affected environment, under Fauna Amatola invertebrates? and Avifauna. This includes: Snouted Termites Trinervitermes sp. cf Water trinervoides were seen at various places along the pipeline route. Table 4- Email 1 presents reptiles and amphibians expected to occur in the area, none of 20/04/2015 these are rare or threatened. Refer to EIA Report Chapter 2.
31. The EMPr needs to stress on-going activities N Muller The EMPr includes the planning and design, construction, rehabilitation for the operational phase and not only project and operational phases for the proposed project. Refer to EIA Report Amatola implementation. Chapter 5 and Appendix H. Water Email 20/04/2015
32. The chlorination process will involve chlorine N Muller Chlorine gas was selected as the disinfection method, as requested by the gas – what is the risk to the nearby BCMM. Risk mitigation measures and the OHS requirements for the Amatola communities? Or is this a risk that can be well storage and management of chlorine gas will be strictly followed. This will Water mitigated to zero risk to the communities? include the provision of a vacuum room for storage of chlorine gas, with Email chlorine leak detection, alarm, controlled ventilation of the air in the room 20/04/2015 through a scrubber to remove the chlorine in the air. The impact relating to public health, safety and security is considered to be very low during
Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM 214 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
No. ISSUE / COMMENT RAISED BY RESPONSE construction and the operational phase, with appropriate mitigation measures being implemented. Refer to EIA Report Chapter 2 and 7
33. The R63 is a National Road, therefore Ms N The Legal Framework in the Scoping Report has been updated to include provisions of the SANRAL Act must be noted Gouws the South African National Roads Agency Limited and National Roads Act particularly with respects to consents for (Act 7 of 1998). This includes Sections 44, 45, 48 and 49 regarding the SANRAL subdivisions, access to and from the National related permissions required from SANRAL for access to or from a Roads, structures within building restriction Email national road, closure or diversion of traffic on a national road, activities on areas (i.e 60 m from the road reserve fence 22/04/2015 or over, or below the surface of a national road or within the building and 500 m radius from any road intersection restriction area, and division of land. point) as well as services crossing a National Applications will be made for infrastructure within the building restriction Road. areas will be submitted to SANRAL after the detailed design has been undertaken. Refer to EIA Report Chapter 2 and 3.
34. SANRAL is in the process of planning for the Ms N The overall Bhisho Potable Water Pipeline route has been amended in upgrade of this portion of the National Route Gouws certain sections to allow for the requirements from SANRAL. These R63 between Bhisho and Komga, which could include the future upgrading of the R63, the placement of the pipeline is to SANRAL involve road reserve widening, re-alignment or be at least 10m from the R63 fence and the proposed pipeline should relocation of the National Road. National Email remain a minimum of 27m from the centerline of the existing R63. Roads are required to be mobility routes with 22/04/2015 The WTW and raw water storage dam are located away from the existing limited uncontrolled accesses, which must be R63 and would not impact on any future realignment of the R63. improved along the proposed Kei Road Treatment Works. Accordingly, the future Refer to EIA Report Chapter 2 and 7. National Road improvement requirements will impact significantly on the proposed Treatment Works
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35. The provided draft scoping report does not Ms N Part of the purpose of the Scoping Report was to identify feasible and provide sufficient details to adequately assess Gouws reasonable project alternatives, potential impacts and environmental the possible impact on the National Road and issues for further assessment in the EIA phase. The Preliminary Design SANRAL you are required to provide more Report has been added to the Scoping Report. comprehensive and detailed layouts that Email The design report and revised drawings have been included in the EIA includes dimensions and contour levels. 22/04/2015 Report. Refer to EIA Report Appendix I and J.
36. The proposed raw water storage dams and Ms N Applications will be made for infrastructure within the building restriction Water Treatment Works (WTW) will require Gouws areas will be submitted to SANRAL after the detailed design has been approval for structures within building undertaken. SANRAL restriction areas. Refer to EIA Report Chapter 3. Email 22/04/2015
37. The proposed bulk potable water pipelines Ms N Applications will be made for infrastructure within the building restriction parallel to the national road (at least 10 metres Gouws areas will be submitted to SANRAL after the detailed design has been from the national road fence) no pipeline within undertaken. SANRAL the national road reserve) from the WTW The overall Bhisho Potable Water Pipeline route has been amended in especially to Bhisho and Berlin will require Email certain sections to allow for the requirements from SANRAL. These approval for subdivisions, and consent for 22/04/2015 include the future upgrading of the R63, the placement of the pipeline is to water services to cross a National Road. be at least 10m from the R63 fence and the proposed pipeline should Crossing of the national road with water remain a minimum of 27m from the centerline of the existing R63. pipelines will only be allowed by way of pipe jacking no open trenches will be permitted. The WTW and raw water storage dam are located away from the existing R63 and would not impact on any future realignment of the R63. The construction method for the pipeline crossings under the R63 would be pipe jacking. Refer to EIA Report Chapter 2 and 7.
Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM 216 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
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38. If access is required from the R63 for the Ms N Applications will be made for infrastructure within the building restriction WTW permission from SANRAL will be Gouws areas will be submitted to SANRAL after the detailed design has been required. undertaken. SANRAL The provision for SANRAL approval for a new access road to the raw Email water dams / WTW from the R63 has been included in Chapter 2 of the 22/04/2015 EIA Report.
39. SANRAL should be notified should heavy Ms N Notification to SANRAL of commencement of construction works has been delivery vehicles travel on the R63 during Gouws included as a recommendation in the EIA Report and Environmental construction period of the WTW? Management Programme. SANRAL Email 22/04/2015
40. The planning of the Kei Road Water Treatment Ms N The EIA Report includes the South African National Roads Agency Works (WTW) without the approval of the Gouws Limited and National Roads Act (Act 7 of 1998). Statutory requirements of the South African SANRAL The overall Bhisho Potable Water Pipeline route has been amended in National Roads Agency Limited and National certain sections to allow for the requirements from SANRAL. These Roads Act (Act 7 of 1998) could have the Email include the future upgrading of the R63, the placement of the pipeline is to result that the planning of this WTW is fatally 22/04/2015 be at least 10m from the R63 fence and the proposed pipeline should flawed remain a minimum of 27m from the centerline of the existing R63. The WTW and raw water storage dam are located away from the existing R63 and would not impact on any future realignment of the R63. Refer to EIA Report Chapter 2 and 3.
41. My name is Sundani Mulalo from Department Ms S Mulalo The electronic links for the Draft Scoping Report was provided to Ms of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Pretoria. Mulalo on 23/04/2015. DAFF The Directorate: Forestry Regulation and
Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM 217 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
No. ISSUE / COMMENT RAISED BY RESPONSE Oversight ( Forestry Scientist) has receive Email The botanical / vegetation specialist report is included in the Draft EIA Basic Assessment Reports for the proposed Report. The Draft EIA Report is available for public review and comment 23/04/2015 Kei Road Water Treatment , Proposed SACE from 9 February to 22 March 2016. Refer to EIA Report Chapter 8. Ranger Solar PV Plant , Uitenhage and Proposed Storm water Management at Santareme , ST Francis Bay within Kouga Local Municipality in EASTERN CAPE REGION . The BAR reported was forwarded to Mr Izak email around February and March 2015. I am working under Environmental Impact Management Directorate: Forestry Regulation and Oversight with Izak. During the evaluation of the BAR, I realised that the reports information is not completed and other documents under Appendices was not attached in the report such as Vegetation specialist report or Botanical report and other related documents. Could you please contact me on 012 309 5865 or 076 021 6115 or email the final report at : [email protected] for further assessment
42. Could you please add my name (Sundani Ms S Mulalo Your details have been added to the Interested and Affected Parties Mulalo) on your database for public database. Refer to EIA Report Chapter 8. DAFF participation. Email 28/04/2015
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43. Telkom and Eskom lines are located along the Mr van The overall Bhisho Potable Water Pipeline route has been amended in R63, and would need to be considered. Where Aardt, certain sections to allow for the requirements from SANRAL. These possible, the pipeline route should stay on the Ms Mosia, include the future upgrading of the R63, the placement of the pipeline is to same side of the R63 as the existing Telkom / Mr Botha be at least 10m from the R63 fence and the proposed pipeline should Eskom services, or same side as the SANRAL remain a minimum of 27m from the centerline of the existing R63. community. Focus The WTW and raw water storage dam are located away from the existing Group The proposed pipeline route adjacent to the R63 and would not impact on any future realignment of the R63. Meeting R63 along the straight portions should not be a 28/05/2015 Refer to EIA Report Chapter 2 challenge. 25m from the existing road center line would be the fence, and an additional 2m to be added on the existing alignment for the straight portions. The proposed pipeline should remain a minimum of 27m from the center line of the R63.
44. The challenge would be in the WTW area, and Mr van The WTW has been revised and is located away from the existing R63 asked about the possibility of stretching the Aardt, and would not impact on any future realignment of the R63. WTW out in elongated manner for space to be SANRAL Refer to EIA Report Chapter 2 and 6. made for the potential new road. Mitigation Focus can be considered for the wetlands Group Meeting 28/05/2015
45. Requested clarification on the proposed pipe Mr Botha, The pipeline diameters range between 500mm to 700mm. Refer to EIA sizes. Report Chapter 2. SANRAL Focus Group Meeting
Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM 219 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
No. ISSUE / COMMENT RAISED BY RESPONSE 28/05/2015
46. Asked if the pipeline would go over the Mr van The pipeline would be located in close proximity to the bridge. Refer to Yellowwoods bridge? Aardt, EIA Report Chapter 2. SANRAL Focus Group Meeting 28/05/2015
47. Queried the building lines and application Mr Nel, SANRAL responded that an application for building lines is required. The process. maximum buffer distance is 60m, but this can be reduced to 20m for SANRAL structures and 10m for pipelines. The term wayleaves is no longer used, Focus and the process is referred to as an application for pipeline crossings or Group structures. Building lines are related to controlling development and Meeting access along national roads. The application process is easier if 28/05/2015 agreements are in place. The application process is neither onerous nor time-consuming.
48. Asked if the boundaries were fixed for the Mr van The boundaries for proposed WTW and raw water dams are not fixed. The WTW and dam area. Aardt, proposed WTW and raw water dams are located on tribal land. Refer to EIA Report Chapter 2. SANRAL Focus Group Meeting 28/05/2015
49. Queried if the dam layout and position were Mr van The dam position and layout are based more on the hydraulics factor for due to these being the less expensive type. Aardt, the design parameters. Refer to EIA Report Chapter 2.
Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM 220 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
No. ISSUE / COMMENT RAISED BY RESPONSE SANRAL Focus Group Meeting 28/05/2015
50. Would the farmers in the area would be able to Berlin Two future off take connection points on the Berlin pipeline are envisaged, access the water being supplied? It is not Farmers i.e. at Hanover and Kings Cross, on the bulk potable water pipelines. anticipated that there will be a need for large Association These connection points have been included in the design, however the volumes of water, but the farmers would like to Focus project does not include the installation of potable water reticulation lines. know if water would be available for the Group Should the farmers need domestic water, an application must be made to development of the plots at Kings Cross. Meeting the BCMM for the installation of a metered connection. This process will 18/06/2015 happen separately from the current project. The BCMM is busy with a Water Master Plan for the area, and the application for a metered connection will be considered in light of the Master Plan and to consider the best supply arrangement to the farmer without hampering bulk supply to the distribution points Refer to EIA Report Chapter 2.
51. What is CEN’s involvement on the project? Berlin CEN is the environmental assessment practitioner (EAP) appointed to Farmers undertake the EIA for this project. Refer to EIA Report Chapter 1. Association Focus Group Meeting 18/06/2015
52. Will farmers’ fencing be damaged? If so, will Berlin Construction will take place over a maximum 20m width – it is therefore they be reinstated? Farmers likely that fencing will be damaged or removed. All damaged fencing will Association be replaced. Aurecon’s proposal is to instruct the Contractor put up a
Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM 221 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
No. ISSUE / COMMENT RAISED BY RESPONSE Focus temporary fence behind the existing fence. During excavation and pipe Group installation, the old fence will be removed. Once construction has finished, Meeting the new fence will be moved forward to the position of the original fence 18/06/2015 line. The standard of fencing to be provided by the Contractor will be agreed upon with the farmer. Refer to EIA Report Chapter 2
53. Certain farmers could be willing to rent Berlin This could be possible, but would have to be negotiated with the land/sheds to the Contractor to use for the Farmers Contractor during construction. storage of equipment. Would this be possible? Association Focus Group Meeting 18/06/2015
54. Farmers would be very sensitive about losing Berlin The Contractor will be instructed to rehabilitate the excavated areas with grazing land – will the Contractor rehabilitate Farmers hydroseeding to re-establish vegetation. the area? Association The Contractor would be responsible for carting away and disposal of Focus Rocks should not be moved onto farmers’ spoil material at an approved disposal site. Group lands. Meeting Refer to EIA Report Chapter 7 and Appendix H 18/06/2015
55. Could farmers offer their land to be used for Berlin This could be possible, but would have to be negotiated with the borrow pits, in order to convert these pits into Farmers Contractor during construction and will have to follow the necessary dams after construction? Association environmental legislation. Focus Group Meeting 18/06/2015
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56. The Contractor’s accommodation area should Berlin This will be noted in the contract document and EMPr. Refer to EIA Report preferably be located a reasonable distance Farmers Chapter 7 and Appendix H. away from farms, to limit the amount of Association pedestrian and vehicle traffic and noise near Focus farms. Group Meeting 18/06/2015
57. There is a security concern that when the Berlin The Contractor will not be allowed to access private property without construction starts the Contractor will bring in Farmers consent from the landowner. Aurecon will indicate no-go areas to the a large number of unfamiliar people in the area Association Contractor. Farmers should inform the Environmental Control Officer or Focus Engineer if the Contractor is found to trespass on private land. Group Security and safety aspects relating to potential theft and damage to Meeting farmer’s equipment have been assessed under the impact to Public 18/06/2015 Health, Safety and Security. The impact relating to public health, safety and security is considered to be very low during construction and the operational phase with appropriate mitigation measures being implemented. Refer to EIA Report Chapter 7 and Appendix H
58. The quantity of water discharged from the Amatola The flow will be very low and will only occur in the event the processed silt WTW into the river is more important than the Water lagoons are not cleaned quickly enough. The EMPr will include the quality of the water. It is very important to not Focus operational rules for cleaning of the lagoons and if adhered to, little to no have constant base flows and to ensure that Group flow to the river will occur. there is a drying out period for the river and Meeting The volume of water wasted from the sedimentation tanks is typically in wetland areas. There can be pools, but not 29/06/2015 the order of 2-3% of the design flow. The supernatant (discharge) from the constantly flowing water – this poses a risk for lagoons will overflow into a common constructed wetland which will act as pests like black fly to develop, which will pose a final polishing step with a retention of 6 hours before flowing via a a health risk to cattle. Wetlands should be
Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM 223 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
No. ISSUE / COMMENT RAISED BY RESPONSE maintained via subsurface flows rather than pipeline/ or open channel to the river course. The supernatant water surface flows. quality will have a pH of 6.0- 6.5, with aluminium levels below SANS 241 limits (they will be the same as those in the treated water which must comply with SANS 241). Refer to EIA Report Chapter 2.
59. DWS has stated a requirement for 14 days Amatola The dam design has been revised to increase the dam storage to a total peak storage in the Border Post raw water Water capacity of 609Ml in order to meet the DWS requirements for 21 days of storage dams. The 14 days AADD storage Focus storage at AADD, i.e. 29Ml. Initially the dam will be constructed to cater for (and not seasonal peak flow) should be Group a capacity of 407 Ml (in order to meet a 14 day storage period at AADD). sufficient. EWR determinations are expected Meeting The initial size of 407 Ml is sufficient to provide the required three week by end 2015; thereafter, the operational rules 29/06/2015 storage during the WTW Phases 1 and 2 (16ML/day and 32 Ml/day, can be developed. It will be important to keep respectively). At the WTW’s Phase 3 capacity (48 Ml/day), the dam will the operating rules in mind when performing only be able to provide 2 weeks of storage. If it is seen during Phases 1 maintenance to the canal. The Wriggleswade and 2 that the requirement for a three week storage is a reality (based on Transfer Canal has been designed for 4m3/s. maintenance performed on the transfer canal), the raw water storage Currently, the canal’s capacity is only 3m3/s. dams will be timeously enlarged to a capacity of 609 Ml for the Phase 3 Amatola Water is planning to lower the weirs scenario. (Aurecon, 2015b). The dam will be constructed in 2 phases. to achieve the original design capacity. It will The dams will be fenced and additional consideration will be given to be very important to control discharge of water escape ropes/buoys in the dam, which people can use to get out of the to the Border Post dam at the Wriggleswade dams. dam, and not at the isolating valve at the abstraction point along the Wriggleswade Refer to EIA Report Chapter 2. Canal, as this will cause water to overflow into the KwaNkwebu River. BCMM should discuss the management of their abstraction point with Amatola Water – it should be considered to have the Wriggleswade Dam, Canal and Abstraction Points all managed by the same utility, e.g. Amatola Water. Aurecon will have to provide high security
Draft EIA Report: Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance for the BCMM 224 CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit
No. ISSUE / COMMENT RAISED BY RESPONSE fencing around the dams to avoid people or cattle drowning in the dams.
60. Referred to WRC research used for sludge Amatola The BCMM indicated a preference for Alum as their operators are familiar classification. Why has the BCMM selected Water with the dosing procedures. In addition to the water sampling already alum as a coagulant? - Is this the best product Focus performed, Aurecon will analyze the properties of the processed silt and available? Group the natural surrounding soil to quantify the impacts of silt leakage and Meeting disposal. This will be used to classify the hazard rating of silt and inform
29/06/2015 the disposal method to be used. Refer to EIA Report Chapter 2.
61. Agreed that the pumps will have to be supplied Amatola There is no excess head in the system for hydraulic in-line turbines. The with normal electricity and generators. Solar Water Water Treatment Works has a high electrical demand concentrated on a power should however be considered for staff Focus small footprint, thus insufficient space on the site is available to consider accommodation and offices in order to reduce Group extensive use of renewable energy sources. The continuous operation of the electrical demand on the Eskom grid. Meeting the WTW, which is crucial, combined with the undependability of wind and 29/06/2015 solar power, does not make such options viable for this application. Solar geysers will be used for staff accommodation and bathrooms. Refer to EIA Report Chapter 2.
62. I tried to find the document (Final Scoping S Hopewell The website link to the project page was provided on 24 July 2015, as well Report) on the website link provided, but have as an explanation regarding the website and dropbox link regarding the Email not been successful to date. Could you Final Scoping Report. confirm it is definitely available, please? 24/07/2015
I used the dropbox option with no problem. Thank you so much.
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No. ISSUE / COMMENT RAISED BY RESPONSE
63. The proposed report refers to proposed water Cllr T The proposed project is for a new Water Treatment Works located in treatment for Kei Road Water treatment works Mpendu closed proximity to Kei Road and Border Post villages. hence forth be responsibility of Buffalo City. At ADM Ward The Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) recently completed a the moment the Water Treatment at the said 9 Councillor water services master plan for the King William’s Town area. A key Water Treatment site is undertaken and falls recommendation of this plan was to develop a regional Water Treatment within Amathole District Municipality. Fax Works (WTW) in the Kei Road area to meet the growing water demand 04/08/2015 We request that we be furnished with further anticipated for the Bhisho and Berlin areas and to maximise the supply of clarity as residents of Kei Road and that we treated water to the Upper Buffalo Water Supply Scheme. The water prefer the treatment of plant be under the would be sourced from the Wriggleswade Transfer Canal and conveyed supervision of the ADM from there to the Bhisho area. This project seeks to improve the water supply scheme to Bhisho and Berlin, as well as certain rural communities north of Bhisho. The proposed site for the WTW is located on property that is not registered or surveyed; and formed part of the old Transkei area; and falls within the BCMM, Ward 43. Refer to EIA Report Chapter 2
64. The aforesaid proposed bulk water supply B.T. Kunene Please note the entire letter is not repeated in the comment column and project lies within the periphery of Amatole can be found in Appendix C under IAP Correspondence in Scoping DWS System which consist of series of dams Phase. interlinked either through conveyance bulk Letter The design requirements in terms of water demand projections and water infrastructure such as canals, tunnels and so (dated supply resources for the scheme were derived by the BCMM’s master forth. Amatole System is comprised of Gubu 7/8/2015) planning processes. In particular, the results of the King Williams Town and Wriggleswade Dam in the Kubusi River, via Email Water Master Plan informed the feasibility study which was undertaken. Nahoon Dam in the Nahoon River, Maiden, (received These Water Master Plans allowed for an integrated approach of all Rooikrantz Dam in the upper Buffalo, Laing 31/08/2015) resources. Refer to EIA Report Chapter 2. Dam in the middle Buffalo and Bridle Drift Dam in the lower Buffalo River.
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No. ISSUE / COMMENT RAISED BY RESPONSE This is a strategic water supply system for East London and its surrounding rural outskirts
as according to the planning perspective by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS). Over the years, the DWS has been continuously developing and refining the reconciliation strategy including the operating rules for the Amatole System in enabling secured water supply for the present and futre water requirements in the Buffalo City Metropolitan. In 2013, there was also a suggestion to increase the water supply area to cover the Eastern Coastal Bulk Scheme in the Great Kei Municipality with supplies from Nahoon Dam. This triggered the upgrading of Nahoon WTW and increase of the volume of water released from Wriggleswade Dam to augment the existing Nahoon Dam Water Supply Scheme. Amatole System Reconciliation Study Group have indicated in numerous reports that without the system operated as an integrated system and other initiatives such as WC/WDM implemented, huge capital investments will be required to develop new water resources to enable adequate water supply. If the system is operated in isolation from one water resource to the other, the system yield is 94 million m3/a
while if integrated according to the approved operating rules without WC/WDM
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No. ISSUE / COMMENT RAISED BY RESPONSE approximately 100 million m3/a is achievable and further implementation of WC/WDM
strategy will allow some sort of delay on any major capital expenditure for the development of new resources as part of augmentation schemes. Amatole Reconciliation Study Group put more emphasis on the operating rules and operations of the system as an integrated unit or system. Therefore, this Department support the decision from Amatole Reconciliation Study Group to apply the operating rules and consider the system as integrated as far as possible. BCMM Kei Road WTP and Conveyance The dam design has been revised to increase the dam storage to a total Project scope of work include the following: capacity of 609Ml in order to meet the DWS requirements for 21 days of storage at AADD, i.e. 29Ml. Additional rural water supply infrastructure has Construction of a water treatment work been incorporated into the project. This includes the Mjali Gravity Main, of 16Ml/d modules in three phases. Mjali / Nompumelelo Rising Main, Hanover Pipeline, Border Post Gravity Construction of raw water storage in Main and Rising Main as well as associated reservoirs. Refer to EIA three phase approach (126Ml per Report Chapter 2. module) Construction of bulk raw pipeline from Wriggleswade Canal to the WTP.
Construction of potable bulk pipeline to Berlin and All Saints Reservoirs. You are therefore advised to consider the following in your assessment: 1. BCMM has signed off an agreement on
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No. ISSUE / COMMENT RAISED BY RESPONSE the consideration of Amatole System being operated as an integrated system 1. The design requirements in terms of water demand projections and otherwise without being in place, the water supply resources for the scheme were derived by the BCMM’s entire system yield can be compromised master planning processes. In particular, the results of the King Williams and result into huge capital expenditure Town Water Master Plan informed the feasibility study which was in future to invest on construction or undertaken. These Water Master Plans allowed for an integrated development of additional resources. approach of all resources. Refer to EIA Report Chapter 2. 2. A water use licence application has been 2. Correct, Aurecon is undertaking the compilation and submission of the submitted for Section 21 (a). (b), (c) and WULA on behalf of the BCMM. (i) of the National Water Act, No. 36 of 1998 specifically for Phase 2 and raw 3. The positive support is noted. water storage for all three phases. 3. This Department is in support of the Water Use Licence Application by BCMM Kei Road WTP and Conveyance Project as augmentation scheme for Upper Buffalo WSS. 4. The water use applied for the taking of water (32Ml/d) will cover Phase 1 & 2 of the project and it has been found adequate over short – medium term plan and is in line with BCMM Water Master Plan.
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Chapter 11 CHAPTER 9: ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT AND REASONED OPINION
9.1 Environmental Impact Statement
The proposed Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance Project (Water Supply Scheme) is identified in the Integrated Development Plan [IDP], 2014 and the Water Services Development Plan. The IDP (2014) identifies the King Williams Town / Bhisho area as a Priority Area, where the BCMM needs to ensure sufficient bulk infrastructure is available to support the initiative of consolidating Bhisho as the Administrative Capital of the Eastern Cape. An additional objective that will be met in the IDP through the Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance Project is the provision of high quality water drinking water in the BCMM and to ensure universal access to potable water (IDP, 2014).
Water is a scarce resource in the area and the proposed Kei Road WTW and Conveyance seeks to alleviate the pressure on potable water resources. Additional rural connection pipelines have been included in order to provide water to the adjacent Mjali and Peelton areas within the BCMM. Infrastructure has been included in three areas (at Border Post, Hanover and Nompumelelo) in order to ensure there is a sufficient supply of water to the Bhisho areas during the interim time until the WTW and raw water storage dam is operational. Two future off take connection points on the Berlin pipeline are envisaged, i.e. at Hanover and Kings Cross, on the bulk potable water pipelines.
The No Go Alternative entails that no additional water will be provided to the Bhisho, Berlin and surrounding communities by the proposed scheme. The risk of limited potable water remains where water scarcity is experienced, with a medium negative impact.
The overall Bhisho Potable Water Pipeline route has been amended in certain sections to allow for the requirements from SANRAL. These include the future upgrading of the R63, the placement of the pipeline at least 10m from the R63 fence
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and the proposed pipeline to remain a minimum of 27m from the centre line of the existing R63. The WTW and raw water storage dam are located away from the existing R63 and would not impact on any future realignment of the R63.
Overall construction will take place over a maximum 20m width, and where the construction width decreases to 10m, designated stockpiles will be used for temporary storage of soil. During the construction phase no agricultural activities would be able to take place where construction works are being undertaken. During the operational phase, a 10m servitude will be required for the pipeline routes, and as the pipeline would be buried stock farming could continue within the servitude area.
Impacts related to vegetation clearance will be on the sections indicated as medium to high sensitivity, i.e. at the WTW and dam site, along the proposed Raw Water Pipeline between points RW1 to RW3, RW4 to RW7, along the Bhisho Potable Water Pipeline between points 8 to 14, 26 to 22, 25 to 26, along the Berlin Potable Water Pipeline between points 27 to 28, 33 to 38, 44 to 45. Areas indicated as high sensitive areas are due to the populations of Bergeranthus leightoniae and Pelargonium sidoides. A total of 24 alien plant species were noted and nine (9) species fall within the listed categories of CARA and/or NEMBA for declared invader plants. Stockpile areas have been indicated along the pipeline routes where construction widths are limited to 10m for the stockpiling of soils. However some of these stockpile areas are located adjacent to areas that have been indicated as high sensitive vegetation areas. It can be anticipated that the same vegetation sensitivity is thus also located at the areas for these stockpiles. The area sizes required for the stockpiles plus a 10m width area for the pipeline route does not differ greatly when compared to the area size required for a 20m width only. It is thus recommended that the construction width in areas of high sensitive vegetation remains as 20m in order to avoid clearing large rectangular areas for stockpiles. Stockpile areas that are required in areas with a vegetation classification of low or medium can be undertaken but the areas should be limited to only that which is necessary.
The majority of wetlands (8) affected are either modified wetlands, wetland areas formed in borrowpits or dams, and are classified with a PES of D (largely modified).. The remaining wetlands (5) are classified with an PES Ecological Category of B ‘largely natural with few modifications’ and are located adjacent to the road reserves. The PES of the upper KwaNkwebu is considered to be in a C Ecological Category, which is described as “moderately modified, where some loss and change of natural habitat and biota have occurred but the basic ecosystem functions are still predominantly unchanged.” The PES for the Yellowwoods River is rated as an Ecological Category D - indicating a largely modified system where a large loss of natural habitat, biota and basic ecosystem functions has occurred. The other watercourse crossing sites along the pipeline routes are considered to be in a relatively degraded and largely modified present ecological state (PES of C or D) due to previous construction activities, overgrazing, cattle trampling, clearing of
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indigenous riparian trees and invasion of riparian zones by alien black wattle. No aquatic flora and fauna species of special concern were evident in the wetland areas. The endangered Sandelia bainsii has been previously noted within the KwaNkwebu and Yellowwood River systems, and their presence should still be considered within these systems. Indigenous riparian vegetation, including Yellowwood trees, as well as alien riparian vegetation will be removed during construction. During construction it is then expected that the aquatic habitat will be disturbed due to the trenching method to traverse these areas, except for the Yellowwoods River crossing at the Lonsdale Bridge which will be undertaken via the HDD method. The aquatic habitat will not be completely destroyed or fragmented as the pipeline would be buried and the aquatic rehabilitated.
Negative impacts associated with the proposed Kei Road WTW and Conveyance were determined and assessed and it was found that, with implementation of the recommended mitigation measures, all potential impacts can be reduced to a “very low”, “low” negative and/or positive significance (as per the summary presented in Table 9-1).
Table 9-1: Summary of Impacts Theme Heritage: Buildings and Sites of a Historic Nature Phase Construction Phase Operational Phase “No go” Level of Very Low (negative -) Very Low (negative -) N/A significance Level of No change in significance with Very Low (-) Very Low (-) status mitigation Theme Heritage: Graves and Burial Sites Phase Construction Phase Operational Phase “No go” Level of Low (negative -) Very Low (negative -) N/A significance Level of No change in significance with Very Low (-) Very Low (-) status mitigation Theme Heritage: Paleontological Sites Phase Construction Phase Operational Phase “No go” Level of Medium (negative -) N/A N/A significance Level of No change in significance with Low (-) N/A status mitigation Theme Ecological: Terrestrial Vegetation Phase Construction Phase Operational Phase “No go” Level of Medium (negative -) Low (negative -) Low (negative -) significance Level of significance with Low (-) Low (-) Low (-) mitigation Theme Ecological: Avifauna and Fauna Phase Construction Phase Operational Phase “No go” Level of No change in Low (negative -) N/A significance status
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Level of No change in significance with Low (-) N/A status mitigation Theme Aquatic: Potential Loss of Wetland or Riparian Habitat Phase Construction Phase Operational Phase “No go” Level of No change in High (negative -) Low (negative -) significance status Level of No change in significance with Low (-) Low (-) status mitigation Theme Aquatic: Sedimentation and Elevated Turbidity in Riparian Zone Phase Construction Phase Operational Phase “No go” Level of Medium (negative -) Low (negative -) Low (negative -) significance Level of significance with Low (-) Low (-) Low (-) mitigation Theme Aquatic: Water Quality Phase Construction Phase Operational Phase “No go” Level of No change in Medium (negative -) Low (negative -) significance status Level of No change in significance with Low (-) Very Low (-) status mitigation Theme Agricultural Land and Soils Phase Construction Phase Operational Phase “No go” Level of Medium (negative -) Low (negative -) Low (negative -) significance Level of significance with Low (-) Low (-) Low (-) mitigation Theme Visual Integrity Phase Construction Phase Operational Phase “No go” Level of No change in Medium (negative -) Low (negative -) significance status Level of No change in significance with Low (-) Low (-) status mitigation Theme Traffic and Road Infrastructure Phase Construction Phase Operational Phase “No go” Level of No change in Medium (negative -) Low (negative -) significance status Level of No change in significance with Low (-) Low (-) status mitigation Theme Existing Infrastructure and Services Phase Construction Phase Operational Phase “No go” Level of No change in Medium (negative -) N/A significance status Level of No change in significance with Low (-) N/A status mitigation Theme Dust and Noise Phase Construction Phase Operational Phase “No go” Level of No change in Medium (negative -) Low (negative -) significance status Level of No change in significance with Low (-) Low (-) status mitigation
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Theme Employment Opportunities Phase Construction Phase Operational Phase “No go” Level of No change in Low (positive +) Low (positive +) significance status Level of No change in significance with Low (+) Low (+) status mitigation Theme Public Health, Safety and Security Phase Construction Phase Operational Phase “No go” Level of No change in Low (negative -) Low (negative -) significance status Level of No change in significance with Very Low (-) Very Low (-) status mitigation Theme Water Resources Phase Construction Phase Operational Phase “No go” N/A Medium (negative -) Medium (negative -) Level of significance with N/A Low (positive +) Medium (-) mitigation Theme Waste Management Phase Construction Phase Operational Phase “No go” Level of No change in Medium (negative -) Low (negative -) significance status Level of No change in significance with Low (-) Very Low (-) status mitigation
9.2 Reasoned Opinion
The EAP is of the opinion that the EIA and associated PPP for the proposed Kei Road WTW and Conveyance fulfil the process requirements of the NEMA, specifically the EIA Regulations of 2010 and the principles of Section 2 of the NEMA.
The assessment of the issues identified in the Scoping Report or as raised by I&APs, and considered in greater detail in the EIA Report with its related specialists studies, indicated that the significance of potential impacts associated with the proposed development can be reduced to a “low”/”very low” significance, if the recommended mitigation measures are implemented.
The EAP is of the opinion that the proposed Kei Road WTW and Conveyance should be authorised.
Conditions of the environmental authorisation should include the following:
1) Implementation of mitigation measures in the draft Site-Specific EMPr, 2) The appointment of an independent Environmental Control Officer (ECO) by the BCMM, a full time Environmental Officer (EO) and a full-time Health and Safety Officer (HSO) by the Contractor to monitor compliance with the draft Site-Specific EMPr. 3) The ECO to undertake an “informal training course” at a museum to ensure knowledge of archaeological and palaeontological artefacts
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It is further recommended that construction activities may begin on-site in areas that are not dependent on additional authorisations (e.g. WULA, protected species) once the Environmental Authorisation has been issued.
Upon authorisation, the draft Site-Specific EMPr should also be updated to include specific Environmental Authorisation conditions.
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Chapter 12
CHAPTER 10: REFERENCE LIST
Aurecon, 2014. Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance Project, Preliminary Design Report. Aurecon South Africa (Pty) Ltd.
Aurecon, 2015. Personal Communication with Petro Taljaard from Aurecon South African (Pty) Ltd, email received 20 April 2015.
Aurecon, 2015a. Personal Communication with Petro Taljaard and Tiaan Nel from Aurecon South African (Pty) Ltd.
Aurecon, 2015b. Personal Communication regarding the proposed design revisions with Petro Taljaard from Aurecon South African (Pty) Ltd.
Aurecon, 2016. Raw Water Storage Dam Concept Technical Memorandum. Aurecon South Africa (Pty) Ltd
BiodiversityGIS (BGIS). 2007. South African National Biodiversity Institute.
Bok, 2015. Fish Fauna and Aquatic Habitat Study.
Cock, B. 2014a. Kei Road Water Treatment and Conveyance Project – Geotechnical Investigation. SRK Consulting (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd.
Cock, B. 2014b. Kei Road Water Treatment Works and Raw Water Dam Geotechnical Investigation. SRK Consulting (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd.
Colloty, B. 2014. Wetland and Aquatic Assessment: Kei Road Pipelines. Sherman Colloty & Associates.
Durand, J.F. 2014. Proposed Development of Water Reticulation System between Kei Road and Berlin General, Eastern Cape, Scoping Report, Palaeontology.
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ECBCP, 2007. Eastern Cape Provincial Bioregional Biodiversity Conservation Plan. Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism.
ENPAT, 2001. Environmental Potential Atlas for South Africa. Department of Environmental Affairs. http://egis.environment.gov.za
Gaigher, S. 2015. Heritage Impact Assessment Report for the Proposed Upgrade and Construction the Kei-Road Water Treatment Works and Conveyance. G&A Heritage.
IDP, 2014. Integrated Development Plan for the Buffalo City Municipality, 2014 – 2015.
Jacobsen, N.H.G; Louw, M and Clark, B; 2015. A Sensitivity Assessment of the Proposed Bhisho Potable Water Pipeline.
Lubke R. & De Moor I. 1998. Field Guide to the Eastern & Southern Cape Coasts. Rondebosch: University of Cape Town Press
Mucina, L. and M.C. Rutherford (Eds.). 2006. The vegetation of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. Strelitzia 19. South African National Biodiversity Institute: Pretoria.
SDF, 2003/2004. Buffalo City Spatial Development Framework. Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality.
Oxford, 1997. The Oxford Dictionary & Thesaurus. Oxford University Press.
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Document printed February 2016