Drought halts industrial development
'New water requirements from existing and new customers will only be considered when the current drought is over and the level of the Goedertrouw Dam has recovered sufficiently’
AS northern KZN continues to suffer from the worst drought in recent history, local utility Mhlathuze Water has decided to cut off water allocations to any new mining and factory developments proposed.
Pending water and effluent applications at Mlathuze thus far include one million cubic meters (m3) per annum for Tongaat Hullet, 1.3 million m3 water and 4.2 million m3 brine for Nyanza Light Metals, 24 090 m3 for Sanral’s N2 upgrade, 14.6 million m3 for Richards Bay Minerals’ Zulti South Mine expansion, 11.4 million m3 for Tronox KZN Sands’ Fairbreeze Mine and more than 20 million m3 for the City of uMhlathuze.
‘Current customers will continue to get their contracted water volumes and allocations, taking into account the water restrictions as gazetted,’ said Mhlathuze Acting Chief Executive Swaswa Ntlhoro.
‘New water requirements from existing and new customers will only be considered when the current drought is over and the level of the Goedertrouw Dam has recovered sufficiently.’
The Goedertrouw Dam‘s level stood at 51% last year, but has dropped to the 27.1% mark last week, sparking fears in agricultural, business and industrial sectors.
Prominent business leader Frans van der Walt believes there are still authority figures downplaying the severity of the dry spell.
Responding to a recent statement by KZN Head of Water and Sanitation, Ashley Starkey, that industrial development in Richards Bay was not yet threatened by water shortages, Van der Walt said the situation needed to be taken more seriously by all leaders in government and water circles.
‘It is clear some senior officials are in denial of the realities facing this region.
‘Until a combined effort is made by business, agriculture, local and district authorities to take this situation to the highest levels, we will not see effective action.’
ZCCI President Judith Nzimande said local industries, aware of the challenges and constraints posed by the drought, are actively trying to assist.
‘Several business representatives, including members of the ZCCI’s Executive Committee, are part of a drought crisis forum that meets biweekly,’ said Nzimande.
‘Most industries have made massive cuts to their water consumption and are exceeding Level 4 water restriction requirements.
‘The ZCCI is engaging with the Department of Water and Sanitation to ensure that long-term water supply solutions can be implemented.’
