20 February 2015 IMPACT ASSESSMENT: WATER RESOURCES ESHIA for 2D Seismic Surveying in Blocks 18, 19, and 21 in the Abred-Ferfer area, Ethiopia Submitted to: Delonex Energy Ethiopia Ltd 3rd floor Mekwor Plaza Debrezeit Road Addis Ababa Ethiopia Report Number: 1417532-13359-1 Distribution: REPORT 1 Copy Delonex Energy Ethiopia Ltd 1 Copy Golder Associates Africa (Pty) Ltd Digital Library IMPACT ASSESMENT: WATER RESOURCES Executive Summary Water within the Project area is a scarce resource, critical to all people, animals and plants in the area. Three distinct water resources were identified in the Project area: Shallow aquifer (<30m below surface) that is accessed via hand-dug wells. Water is influenced by anthropogenic activities and varies between locations (i.e. dependent on the depth of occurrence, recharge and evaporation rates). Deep aquifer system (>30m to 300m below surface) accessed by through boreholes by motorised pumps (NaCa-ClSO4 type water). Water is characteristic of extended residence time within the deep aquifer system and low recharge from sporadic rainfall events. Stored surface water in Birkas impoundments (Ca-bicarbonate type water). Water is characterised by high turbidity, bacteriological contaminants, and evaporation (if open to the atmosphere). Water sources (utilised by the local inhabitants for drinking, domestic use, and livestock watering) are not suitable for human consumption (i.e. most parameters measured exceed relevant drinking standards). Elevated nitrate and the presence of faecal bacteria in samples indicate that the pollutants affecting the water sources are most likely from poor human sanitation practices and close proximity of livestock animals to water abstraction points. Water character is dominated by recharge and evaporation mechanisms. To insure the protection of water resources, the abstraction points need to be protected from surface infiltration and run-off of contaminants, evaporation, and direct contamination through access of groundwater wells. Groundwater flow is typically governed by topography. In the western portion of the Project area, flow is towards the southwest, but flow is in a south easterly direction towards the east. No water level information was available for the deep aquifer system as it was not accessible. Static water level (of shallow aquifer) varied throughout the Project area and potential over abstraction is a concern as a 1m drop in water level could result in wells becoming dry. Overall the Project represents a positive impact on water resources (provided mitigation measures are implemented). 20 February 2015 Report No. 1417532-13359-1 IMPACT ASSESMENT: WATER RESOURCES Table of Contents 1.0 INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW ........................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 The Project ................................................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Scope/ Approach .......................................................................................................................................... 1 1.3 Study Limitations .......................................................................................................................................... 2 2.0 REGULATORY FRAMEWORK ................................................................................................................................. 3 3.0 BASELINE ENVIRONMENT ...................................................................................................................................... 3 3.1 Geology ........................................................................................................................................................ 3 3.2 Regional Geology and Structure ................................................................................................................... 3 3.3 Soil Characteristics ....................................................................................................................................... 6 3.4 Topography .................................................................................................................................................. 7 3.5 Vegetation .................................................................................................................................................... 7 3.5.1 Climate and Meteorology ........................................................................................................................ 7 3.5.1.1 Regional Climate and Meteorology ...................................................................................................... 7 3.5.1.2 Project Area Climate and Meteorology ................................................................................................ 8 3.6 Water resources ........................................................................................................................................... 9 3.6.1 Rivers and Streams................................................................................................................................. 9 3.6.2 Groundwater ........................................................................................................................................... 9 3.6.3 Surface water ........................................................................................................................................ 10 4.0 METHODOLOGY ..................................................................................................................................................... 12 4.1 Hydrocensus ............................................................................................................................................... 12 4.1.1 Sampling protocol ................................................................................................................................. 12 5.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION ................................................................................................................................ 14 5.1 Groundwater elevations and flow direction ................................................................................................. 14 5.2 Microbial Analysis ....................................................................................................................................... 17 5.3 Chemical analysis ....................................................................................................................................... 18 5.4 Characterising of the water sources ........................................................................................................... 19 6.0 IMPACT ASSESSMENT .......................................................................................................................................... 26 6.1 Methodology for assessing impacts ............................................................................................................ 26 6.1.1 Cumulative Impacts .............................................................................................................................. 28 6.1.2 Development of Mitigation Measures .................................................................................................... 28 20 February 2015 Report No. 1417532-13359-1 i IMPACT ASSESMENT: WATER RESOURCES 7.0 POTENTIAL WATER RESOURCE IMPACTS ........................................................................................................ 28 7.1 Siltation of water resources ........................................................................................................................ 29 7.2 Improved access to water resources .......................................................................................................... 29 7.3 Physical damage of Birkas and Boreholes ................................................................................................. 29 7.4 Runoff Diversion ......................................................................................................................................... 29 7.5 Contamination of water resources .............................................................................................................. 29 7.6 Water resource depletion ............................................................................................................................ 30 7.7 Residual impacts ........................................................................................................................................ 30 7.8 Proposed Mitigation Measures ................................................................................................................... 30 7.8.1 Siltation of water resources ................................................................................................................... 30 7.8.2 Improved access to water ..................................................................................................................... 30 7.8.3 Physical damage of Birkas and Boreholes ............................................................................................ 30 7.8.4 Runoff Diversion ................................................................................................................................... 30 7.9 Contamination of water resources .............................................................................................................