CONTRACT WP 9711 DEVELOPMENT OF A RECONCILIATION STRATEGY - FOR ALL TOWNS IN THE NORTHERN REGION CAPRICORN DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY BLOUBERG LOCAL MUNICIPALITY FIRST ORDER RECONCILIATION STRATEGY FOR THE SENWABARWANA GROUND WATER SCHEME Incorporating the settlements of: Bochem, Bochem North, Bochum, Borkum, Cumbrae (Senwabarwana), Ga-Mashalane and Witten DRAFT VERSION 1.4 MAY 2011 Prepared by Prepared for: SRK Consulting Department of Water Affairs PO Box 55291 Directorate: National Water Resources Planning NORTHLANDS Private Bag X313 2116 PRETORIA, Tel: +27 (0) 11 441 1111 0001 E-mail: [email protected] RECONCILIATION STRATEGY FOR SENWABARWANA GWS REPORT NO. {1} DEVELOPMENT OF A RECONCILIATION STRATEGY - FOR ALL TOWNS IN THE NORTHERN REGION FIRST ORDER RECONCILIATION STRATEGY, FOR THE SENWABARWANA GROUNDWATER SCHEME IN BLOUBERG LOCAL MUNICIPALITY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The strategy objectives and methodology are presented in a separate report titled “Methodology followed for the Development of Reconciliation Strategies for the All Town Study Northern Region ” that should be read in conjunction with this document. Location and Background Information This document focuses on the Senwabarwana Groundwater Scheme (GWS) which is situated in the south eastern region in the Blouberg Local Municipality. This scheme falls within the Limpopo Water Management Area (WMA), in the quaternary catchment A72A. Capricorn District Municipality is the Water Service Authority (WSA) throughout the study area. Agriculture is the main economic activity within the municipality. Demographics, water requirements and availability The population of Senwabarwana GWS was estimated for 2007 at 15 775 people. This is projected to increase to between 23 676 for a low growth scenario and 26 034 given high growth, by 2030. The level of service within this scheme area is low. The majority of the population (44%) is supplied with water services that are below RDP level; the remainder of the population is either at (22%) or above (34%) the RDP level of service. As an increased level of service becomes a necessary focus for improvement, more water will be required. Domestic water is currently sourced from the local aquifer by individual boreholes around each of the settlements. Calculations of the Utilisable Groundwater Exploitation Potential (UGEP) indicate that only a small volume, 0.744 Million m 3/s is available from the aquifer. This is insufficient to meet the future needs of the scheme. It is estimated that a minimum supply of 0.750 Million m 3/a would be needed to meet the needs to a reasonable standard over the next five years (2015). With the expected growth in population and a continued planned improvement in services, this requirement increases to between 1.125 and 1.237 Million m 3/a by the year 2030. X:\G\Proj 1\Proj\390778_DWAF North\7REPORTS\Strategies\All Strategies_19Dec2011\Limpopo \Capricorn DM\Blouberg LM\Senwabarwana GWS_May2011.docx May 2011 ii RECONCILIATION STRATEGY FOR SENWABARWANA GWS REPORT NO. {1} The water quality in some areas is poor, due to high nitrate level but is not treated prior to distribution. The potential exists for mixing of good and poor water qualities to improve the overall distribution quality. There are 41 boreholes servicing this supply scheme, of which only 10 are not operational. The continual maintenance of this infrastructure is highlighted as an issue, due to the insufficient water supply. Due to the low UGEP calculated for the area, the sustainable use of the aquifer needs to be confirmed and monitored to prevent overutilization. A feasibility study conducted on the availability of water from the Glen Alpine Dam indicates a potential supply volume of 1.381 Million m 3/a to the scheme. By utilising the existing groundwater resources in conjunction with this supply, only an additional 0.500 Million m 3/a will be required from the Glen Alpine Dam. Strategy/Recommendations • Undertake a detailed investigation to determine actual water usages, sustainability of source and availability of future supply. The current groundwater abstraction should then be adjusted to ensure that the aquifer is not over utilised. • Augment the current supply with water from the Glen Alpine Dam. • Develop and implement a Water Conservation and Demand Management plan with clear performance targets. This must include limiting the wasteful use of water in order to control water consumption and utilise the available resources to their full potential and also limit wasteful water use. • As a critical step when introducing measures to encourage water conservation, it is important to have an accurate set of baseline data against which any progress can be measured. The first priority must therefore be to ensure that there is an adequate network of water meters and accurate readings are recorded on a regular basis • Implement comprehensive monitoring of the groundwater table and of groundwater use by all users (domestic and agricultural) in the area to ensure sustainable use. • Register existing water use and ensure that planned increases in water use are registered with the DWA. X:\G\Proj 1\Proj\390778_DWAF North\7REPORTS\Strategies\All Strategies_19Dec2011\Limpopo \Capricorn DM\Blouberg LM\Senwabarwana GWS_May2011.docx May 2011 iii RECONCILIATION STRATEGY FOR SENWABARWANA GWS REPORT NO. {1} Augmentation Options Confidence level of Information available for the study area The information used in this report is of a medium confidence level as existing documentation, project reports and municipality communications were consulted in gather of information. Some conflicting usage volumes were encountered in various reports. The population data is of a low confidence level. Priority rating for the development of a detailed reconciliation strategy: The Senwabarwana GWS is considered to have a Priority 3 (medium/high) rating for the development of a detailed reconciliation strategy as the cluster will be deficit within the next 5 years. X:\G\Proj 1\Proj\390778_DWAF North\7REPORTS\Strategies\All Strategies_19Dec2011\Limpopo \Capricorn DM\Blouberg LM\Senwabarwana GWS_May2011.docx May 2011 iv RECONCILIATION STRATEGY FOR SENWABARWANA GWS REPORT NO. {1} This strategy for the Senwabarwana GWS has been accepted and signed by Capricorn District Municipality, Blouberg Local Municipality, DWA Limpopo Regional Office and the DWA Head Office (D: NWRP) as follows: Town WMA DM WSA WSDP Status Senwabarwana Limpopo Capricorn Capricorn Under GWS District District Capricorn Municipality Municipality District Municipality Names:………………………………………. Names:………………………………………. Signature:…………………………………… Signature:…………………………………… Date:………………………………………… Date:………………………………………… Position:…………………......... Position:…………………………… Blouberg Local Municipality Capricorn District Municipality Names:………………………………………. Names:………………………………………. Signature:…………………………………… Signature:…………………………………… Date:………………………………………… Date:………………………………………… Position:………………………………… Position:……………………………… DWA Regional Office DWA D: National Water Resource Planning X:\G\Proj 1\Proj\390778_DWAF North\7REPORTS\Strategies\All Strategies_19Dec2011\Limpopo \Capricorn DM\Blouberg LM\Senwabarwana GWS_May2011.docx May 2011 v RECONCILIATION STRATEGY FOR SENWABARWANA GWS REPORT NO. {1} TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................................ i 1 INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Study area ................................................................................................................. 1 1.2 Regional Setting ....................................................................................................... 1 1.3 Economic Drivers ..................................................................................................... 2 1.4 Confidence Level of Information Available for the Study Area ............................. 4 2 POPULATION AND DEMOGRAPHICS ...................................................................... 4 3 CURRENT WATER REQUIREMENTS ....................................................................... 4 3.1 Present water requirements and historical water use ........................................... 4 3.2 Level of Services ...................................................................................................... 4 4 WATER REQUIREMENTS PROJECTIONS UNTILL 2030 ......................................... 5 4.1 Future water requirements ...................................................................................... 5 5 WATER RESOURCES ............................................................................................... 6 5.1 Surface water ............................................................................................................ 6 5.1.1 Water Allocations ............................................................................................... 6 5.1.2 Other water users from the same source ......................................................... 6 5.1.3 Quality ................................................................................................................. 6 5.2 Groundwater ............................................................................................................. 6 5.2.1 Water allocation/s .............................................................................................. 6 5.2.2 Other water users from the same source ........................................................