Lay-out of Proposed Scheme

Positives –

•Well located for integration into both NMBM Potable and Industrial supply infrastructure

•Can supplement either potable or industrial demand of IDZ

•Utilisation of a waste stream in a water scarce area

•Unit cost of raw water will be minimal

•Reduction of unwanted nutrients & fresh water transfers into estuary (falls within the

Estuarine Management Plan of Sanparks & will improve health classification status of

estuary)

•Low pressure RO more cost effective than seawater desalination (unit cost to consumers

more affordable)

•Once blended at Olifantskop Reservoirs, improved quality to consumers

Negatives –

•No detailed data base of water quality variabilities at point of abstraction (> 2 years

Conductivities & flow at Poplar Grove (DWA data records for Addo Bridge – random

sampling data available up to 2008)

•Full data set of chemical and biological analysis required for pre treatment and RO design

purposes (a priority action item)

•Value of land close to river is high – treatment plant and off-channel storage to be

positioned some distance away

•Long brine discharge pipeline required (to river mouth)

•If tidal discharge not environmentally acceptable, sea outfall will be expensive alternative

Scheme Capacity –

. A HYDROLOGICAL STUDY OF THE SUNDAYS RIVER ESTUARY -  WRC

PROJECT NO. K8/780/2 by Ninham Shand (2008) based Scenario 5 of the study on 45 Mm3/a (123 Ml/day) as “ return flow” scheme to PE.

• Poplar flow measurements – minimum values = 130 Ml/day

• Studies showed that Scenario 5 will improve SR Health Status classification from a C to a B.

• Assumption for average abstraction = 80-90 Ml/day based on utilisation rate of 80%, final water = 64-72 Ml/day, and brine discharge stream = 16-18 Ml/day

FEASIBILITY or PRE-FEASIBILITY STUDY1.Environmental

Proposed methodology to investigate the potential impacts :• Identify all possible engineering solutions that may be considered and the

associated areas that may be impacted from infrastructure;

• Understand the technical components proposed to identify secondary impacts (such as increased energy requirements) and predict level of significance

from a strategic/cumulative perspective;

• Map the vegetation types that will be affected and identify the conservation status of affected areas and the potential impact of the loss in terms of the vegetation remaining. Liaise with specialist botanists in the field to determine the significance of the loss, if required.

• Get specialist opinion from a scientist with estuarine ecological experience to identify areas of concern related to release of brine within the estuary

• Get specialist opinion from a scientist with coastal marine ecological experience to identify areas of concern related to release of brine in the sea;

• Predict the nature and magnitude of social impact from examples of similar projects in Southern Africa and especially in the Eastern Cape.

• Identify any factors that would be considered fatal flaws to development.

• Provide a clear indication of legal requirements for project detailed study.

FEASIBILITY or PRE-FEASIBILITY STUDY

2. TechnicalProposed methodology for investigation & data gathering:

• Finalise chemical & biological quality data required and put in place a bi-monthly sampling and analysis programme for Poplar Grove / Barkley Bridge

• Optimize the scheme abstraction capacity based on flow records and environmental requirements of Estuary

• Investigate alternate river abstraction points and methods /structures (1 in 100 year floodline determination)

• Investigate alternate treatmentprocesses

• Investigate alternate treatment works and off-channel balancing sites, alternate pipeline routes and sea discharge methods and points

• Develope initial operating rules for integration with NMBM bulk infra-structure

• Preliminary costing (Capital, operating, etc.) and project funding options