Question NW1747 to the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation

Reply:

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is continuing to engage with all stakeholders to develop various water resources to meet the water needs for the growth nodes in Limpopo, including the designated Musina/Makhado Special Economic Zone, as well as the proposed Tubatse Special Economic Zone as I detail below:

MUSINA/MAKHADO SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE

This is a severely water stressed area and the Department of Water and Sanitation is investigating various options for the contemplated development. At this stage, indications are that water needs for Musina/Makhado Special Economic Zone will be met from a mix of sources that include:

• Drawing water from the Limpopo River;
• Reuse of wastewater from Musina town for construction and process operations in the metallurgical/mineral beneficiation complex;
• Groundwater from boreholes in the area;
• Importing of water from catchments in Zimbabwe, under the auspices of the bilateral to jointly develop and manage water resources of the two countries for mutual benefit.
• Mainstreaming water conservation and water demand management in production processes through maximising water reuse, to minimise the uptake of new make-up water. This will also ensure that the water quality of the local water resources is not compromised by pollution from the heavy industries planned;

PROPOSED TUBATSE SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE

The Department of Water and Sanitation’s outlook for availing water to the proposed Tubatse Special Economic Zone and other growth nodes in the Olifants catchment will be from the resources in the Olifants catchment including the Olifants River Water Resources Development Project, comprising of dams and bulk water infrastructure, which is under implementation.