Question NW178 to the Minister of Water and Sanitation
29 February 2024 - NW178
Phillips, Ms C to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
(1)Whether any water use licenses have been issued to the chrome wash plants that are being operated on portions 30, 31 and 32 of the Farm Waterval 306 JQ situated in Rustenburg and owned respectively by certain persons (names and details furnished); if not, what are the reasons that the chrome wash operations are allowed to operate; if so, on what date were they issued in each case; (2) (a) what actions will be taken against the (i) property owners and (ii) operators of the chrome wash plants and (b) on what date will the actions be taken?
Reply:
According to the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) records, there is no water use authorisations that have been issued for water use activities associated with the chrome wash plants located on Portions 30, 31 and 32 of Farm Waterval 306 JQ in Rustenburg Local Municipality, North West.
The DWS has taken steps to address the alleged unlawful development of a chrome wash plants on Portions 30, 31 and 32 of Farm Waterval 306 JQ. The DWS in its regulatory role, has taken the following actions:
- Site investigation was conducted on 19 February 2024 on Portions 30, 31 and 32 of Farm Waterval 306 JQ.
- The DWS is in the process of issuing a Notice of Intention to issue a Directive in terms of National Water Act (Act 36 of 1998) to the companies and the property owners responsible for the unlawful water use through the development of chrome wash plants located on Portions 30, 31 and 32 of Farm Waterval 306 JQ.
Further administrative actions to be taken will be guided by the response to be received from the Chrome wash plant owners. Should the owners of these chrome wash plants fail to comply with the prescripts of the Notices issued, the DWS will proceed with further enforcement actions.
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