Question NW4190 to the Minister of Water and Sanitation
13 December 2023 - NW4190
Weber, Ms AMM to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
(1)Whether, with reference to (a) his reply to question 1643 on 26 May 2023 and (b) the meeting on Tuesday, 14 November 2023 with the interested and affected parties discussing a scoping and Environmental Impact Assessment process, how is it possible that the Hillside Siding coal wash plant on Elandspruit, Farm 291 JS, in the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality has been established and operational despite the farm not having records of (i) a water use registration, (ii) an approved EIA, (iii) an approved Basic Assessment Report, (iv) an approved Environmental Management Programme; (2) whether Hill Siding has been authorised to make use of the specified property(ies); if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (3) whether he will furnish Ms A M M Weber with a copy of the said authorisation; if not, why not; if so, (a) on what date and (b) what are the further, relevant details in this regard?
Reply:
1. It is not within the mandate of the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) to grant Environmental Authorisations nor approval of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs). The DWS has or will investigate the issue of possible unlawful water use activities on the said property and take necessary corrective actions where necessary. DWS conducted an investigation at Beethoven Investment Portion 62 of the Farm Elandspruit 291 JS on 24 October 2023. The findings of the investigation were as indicated below:
- Stockpiles of coal were observed on site at Beethoven Investment Pty Ltd: Hillside Siding Facility.
- There was a borehole on site that was being used for domestic purposes.
- There were no coal washing activities taking place on site.
- Coal crushing, blending and washing equipment were observed on site, however during inspections it was found that they are not being used.
- 4 water storage tanks were observed on site and they were found to be empty.
- A water bouser of 15000L storage capacity was observed suppressing the dust on site and along the road. The facility representative indicated that the water used for dust suppression is taken from the Pollution Control Dam (PCD) that is situated at Beethoven organics Site.
- No unauthorised water use activities taking place at Beethoven Investment site during the site visit.
2. The DWS only requires the owners of activities to provide proof of lawful access to the properties where water use activities take place during the water use authorisation process. As indicated in DWS reply to NA question 1643, there is no record of water use registration nor authorisation for the activities at Portion 62 of the Farm Elandspruit 291.
3. It is not the within the mandate of the DWS to grant Environmental Impact Assessment approvals/ authorisations.
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