Recent Researches in Hydrology, Geology and Continuum Mechanics Water Resources Assessment for Mbombela Local Municipality in South Africa JEREMIAH MUTAMBA and OLA BUSARI Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA) PO Box 10335, Centurion 0046 SOUTH AFRICA [email protected] http://www.tcta.co.za Abstract: Mbombela, a South African local municipality, is facing severe water supply challenges. Water demand is continuously growing and additional water resources are becoming more difficult and costly to find. Three options are being considered for implementation to supplement current supplies. This paper reviews the Mbombela water resources situation and makes recommendations on the most optimal options going forward. The review finds out that the level of unaccounted for water in Mbombela is unacceptably high and recommends diligent implementation of water conservation and demand management in addition to supply augmentation. Key Words: - Water resources, Water conservation, Demand management; Water use, South Africa freshwater resources within its jurisdiction, the 1. Introduction MLM resolved to review its water resources with Mbombela Local Municipality ( MLM) is a South a view of identifying opportunities to augment African municipal area located in the North current supplies with new water resources Eastern part of the South Africa. The area has a schemes. promising and flourishing economic landscape but is facing severe water resources shortages that This paper looks at the water resources situation threaten to derail the area’s much anticipated in Mbombela and the options that the MLM economic growth. Mbombela’s water demand has leadership can take to contain the growing water been steadily growing over the years, with the demand and augment its water resources to growth in demand mainly influenced by a support its growing economy. The paper is a growing population, a booming local economy culmination of a desktop assessment of the water and generally improving standards of living resources situation in the MLM area. The focus of among the locals. In reaction to the growing water the assessment was on the municipal water demand and the lack of easily accessible ISBN: 978-960-474-275-2 61 Recent Researches in Hydrology, Geology and Continuum Mechanics demand and supply situation within Mbombela. Three potential water supply interventions are The assessment, therefore, focused on industrial currently being considered namely: (i) and domestic water demand and how the construction of a new dam in the Crocodile sub- municipality can best meet these demands. catchment; (ii) construction of a pipeline transfer scheme from the Vygeboom dam and (iii) construction of a pipeline transfer scheme from 2. Location and Background the Inyaka dam. The evaluation of the feasibility Mbombela Local Municipality is situated in the of these three proposed water resources Ehlanzeni District Municipality in the augmentation options as well as an assessment of Mpumalanga Province in the North-Eastern part the current MLM water demand, water use of South Africa. It is one of four local patterns and existing water sources formed the municipalities forming Ehlanzeni and is located in basis of this study. the Inkomati Water Management area, one of the nineteen water management areas of South Africa. Mbombela has seven key urban centres namely 3. Information Sources Nelspruit, White River, Hazyview, Kabokweni, Most of the information used to compile this Tekwane, kaNyamazane and Matsulu. paper was obtained from existing reports on water resources studies conducted on Mbombela. In addition, some information was obtained through Hydrologically, Mbombela is divided into two interviews with some senior officials of the sub-catchments: the Crocodile River sub- Department of Water Affairs (both national and catchment that drains the southern part and the regional offices), the Inkomati Catchment Sabie River sub-catchment draining the northern Management Agency (ICMA), Mbombela Local part. However, for water supply and Municipality and Silulumanzi Concession. administration purposes, Mbombela is sub- Additional technical information was obtained divided into four strategic areas namely: from credible journal publications. Hazyview, Nsikazi, White River and Nelspruit. Figure 1 shows the Inkomati Water Management 4. Situation assessment in which Mbombela is situated and Figure 2 shows the MLM locality map. A situation assessment was first conducted to develop an understanding of pertinent factors influencing the water resources and utilisation As indicated above, the water supply situation in situation in the MLM area. This assessment Mbombela is becoming untenable with demand covered inter-alia: the MLM demographic and almost exceeding supply. Additionally, affordable socio-economic landscape, the water resources and easily accessible water resources are getting situation, the levels of water demand and water more and more difficult to find. In response to resources intervention measures. These these constraints, the MLM administration assessments are explained in more detail in the contemplated augmenting its water resources. following sections. ISBN: 978-960-474-275-2 62 Recent Researches in Hydrology, Geology and Continuum Mechanics Figure 1: The Inkomati Water Management Area Source: DWA, 2004a Figure 2: Mbombela Local Municipality locality map Source: DWA, 2009a ISBN: 978-960-474-275-2 63 Recent Researches in Hydrology, Geology and Continuum Mechanics 4.1 Demography and socio-economic decline (DWA, 2004a). Although showing a landscape declining trend, Mbombela’s projected population growth is still above the national average of 1.1%. In general, water demand is influenced by the size summarizes the current and projected of the population, quality of life, and consumer Table 1 population figures for MLM. Based on the behaviour, level of water use efficiency in the anticipated population growth rates, the estimated community and the level of economic increase in domestic water demand is bound to development of an area. Equally, the economic increase moderately over time. development of an area can influence the ability of the municipality to develop its economic resources, water resources included. This section Table 1: MLM population forecast looks at the socio-economic aspects and the demographic structure of MLM and how they Year 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 influence the developmental needs and water Pop (‘000) 744 842 953 1,026 1,106 requirements of the municipality. Source: MLM, 2008 4.1.1 Population 4.1.2 Socio-economic aspects In the late 1990’s the MLM was one of the fastest The MLM area offers an attractive investment growing zones in South Africa, with an annual environment, particularly in eco-tourism. economic growth rate of over 8%. The economic Paradoxically, MLM is characterized by high boom attracted large inflows of labour immigrants levels of poverty and illiteracy. With the into the MLM, particularly into Nelspruit, exception of Nelspruit, about 60% of the 1 resulting in a considerable growth population over households live on less than R12, 000 a year or the same period. The 2006 population estimate for less, with 40% of the population living on annual MLM was 661,689 people (MLM, 2008). This income of less than R6, 000 (Smith et al, 2003, population estimate is based on the national MLM, 2008). Further, unemployment levels are census of 2001. Based on the 2001 census figures typically high and economic opportunities and a population growth rate of 4% between 2001 generally lacking. For example, unemployment and 2010, the 2010 population for MLM is figures reported for the year 2002 were at 25% estimated to be 744, 310. However, population (Gillet, 2002). In addition, about 90% of the growth in the area is expected to be moderate, MLM population that is supplied water by the with growth mainly expected in urbanized areas Silulumanzi Concession is classified as indigent. like Nelspruit and Hazyview (DWA, 2004a). Silulumanzi Concession supplies water to about Specifically, the MLM population is estimated to 53% of the MLM population. This implies that at grow at 2.5% between 2011 and 2020 and by least 48% of the MLM population is considered 1.5% thereafter to 2030. It is even anticipated that in some rural areas the population levels will 9 5 ISBN: 978-960-474-275-2 64 Recent Researches in Hydrology, Geology and Continuum Mechanics indigent. Also Mbombela’s revenue base is ecological flows as well as pristine river narrow and predominantly comes from the conditions. Nelspruit town tax base (Smith et al, 2003). 4.2 Water Resources However, the economic outlook for Mbombela is In general, South Africa is a water scarce nation considered to be good. Mbombela Local and, in particular, the Inkomati Water Municipality makes a significant economic Management Area (WMA), in which the MLM is contribution to Mpumalanga province, located, is classified as a severe water-stress area contributing about 12% of the province’s GDP. In with most of the water resources in the MLM addition, in the late 1990’s Nelspruit’s economy catchments already allocated. As of 2002, the was the fastest growing in South Africa, with a Inkomati WMA had a deficit of 197 Mm3/a growth rate of 8%. Further, the municipality has (DWA, 2004a). In particular, the Crocodile River been facilitating and funding economic growth is severely over utilized, with no water available initiatives through the Local Economic for further allocation (DWA, 2006). Further, the Development