Question NW2441 to the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation

Share this page:

18 December 2020 - NW2441

Profile picture: Whitfield, Mr AG

Whitfield, Mr AG to ask the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation

(1)What is the (a) maximum capacity of the Teebus Tunnel and (b) total volume of water being diverted from the Gariep Dam to the Fish River Valley by the Teebus tunnel per annum; (2) whether the Teebus tunnel is currently being utilised at maximum capacity; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) what is the total volume of water from the scheme that has been allocated per annum to the (a) Great Fish River Water Users Association, (b) Lower Sundays River Water Users Association, (c) Glen Melville Dam and (d) Lower Fish Permit Area?

Reply:

(1)(a) The maximum capacity of the Teebus Tunnel is 40 m3/s.

(b) The volumes being diverted vary per operational year. The table below indicates the volumes (million m3/annum) diverted over the past six years:

Year

2014-2015

2015-2016

2016-2017

2017-2018

2018-2019

2019-2020

Volume Million m3/a

757

779

756

727

774

801

(2) The maximum transfer capacity through the tunnel is only implemented when both Gariep and Van Der Kloof dams are spilling in order to maximise the use of water resources and improve the water quality. The monthly transfers are based on the water requests from the Great Fish Water Users Association (GFWUA), Lower Sundays River Water Users Association (LSRWUA) coupled with domestic water use and calculated dilution requirements to maintain the acceptable water quality provided to the LSRWUA.

(3)(a) The total volume of water from the scheme that has been allocated per annum is as follows:

  • Great Fish River Water Users Association: The farms in the northern part of the valley between Teebus and Elandsdrift have an allocation of 13 500 m3/ha/a, while those between Elandsdrift and Middleton receive 12 500 m3/ha/a, with a total water allocation of 426 million m3/a for the scheduled area of 32 565 ha. The allocations apply at “farm gate”. An additional provision of 25% (106 million m3/a) has been allocated for canal distribution losses.

(b) For the Lower Sundays River Water Users Association, the current scheduled area for the LSRWUA is 18 845 ha at 9 000 m3/ha/a (170 million m3/a).

(c) For the Glen Melville Dam 1.1 million m3/a is allocated to supply Grahamstown.

(d) The Lower Fish Permit Area is part of the Great Fish River Water Users Association with the scheduled area of 32 565 ha, amounting to an allocation of 426 million m3/a.

Source file