Share

Multimillion-rand French funding deal for drought-stricken Western Cape still needs environmental approval

A nearly R9m joint desalination project between the Western Cape government and the French government still needs the required environmental approval for operation in November.

The solar-powered desalination plant, the first of its kind, will be located in the coastal town of Witsand on the mouth of the Breede River, and will produce a minimum of 100 kl a day.

Read: Massive French funding deal brings hope to drought-stricken Western Cape

Despite the excitement surrounding the project, which entails about R8.6m in grants, it may not be allowed to operate until it has received the proper authorisation, director of Cape Environmental Assessment Practitioners Louise-Mari Van Zyl said at a briefing on Monday. 

However, Finance MEC Ivan Meyer said that while the project had not received final approval, he is confident that the project will operate on schedule.

"We already have the pre-approvals and the bulk of the work has already been completed," he said.

"Firstly, the plant is solar-powered and secondly, there will be no harm to the environment as the plant is located on a farm - far from the locals."

The environmental consultant for the project, Dr Megan Laird, said that the impact on the environment is very limited.

"The biggest issue is the brine (salt) produced by the plant, which may affect the marine life," she said.

"But fortunately, the effects will be limited to the estuary, or the mixing zone. So there may only be one to two metres of discharge."

Also read: Iceberg proposal as new water source for Cape Town

French ecology minister Nicolas Hulot congratulated all parties on the project and encouraged technological innovation that "works with nature".

"We need to make peace with nature. If we can combine natural intelligence and human intelligence this will be a success," he said.

The funding from the French Treasury is aimed at implementing innovative green technologies and is expected to bring to South Africa its first solar-powered desalination unit.

Hessequa, located 250km east of Cape Town, consists of several coastal villages that suffer from a structural water deficit, even outside of drought periods. Witsand village, which has critical water shortages, was designated for the implementation of the solar-powered desalination unit.

"The town of Witsand has a population of 300 people, but come vacation time it increases to 3 000," Meyer said on Monday.

"Every year we receive letters from the people of Witsand complaining that they don't have water."

Meyer said that the project would also increase economic growth in the town's tourism sector.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Do you think corruption-accused National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula will survive a motion of no confidence against her?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
No, her days are numbered
41% - 314 votes
Yes, the ANC caucus will protect her
59% - 453 votes
Vote
Rand - Dollar
18.94
-0.2%
Rand - Pound
23.92
-0.1%
Rand - Euro
20.47
+0.0%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.36
-0.1%
Rand - Yen
0.13
-0.3%
Platinum
911.60
+1.6%
Palladium
1,012.97
+1.1%
Gold
2,213.47
+0.9%
Silver
24.80
+0.6%
Brent Crude
86.09
-0.2%
Top 40
68,346
+1.0%
All Share
74,536
+0.9%
Resource 10
57,251
+2.9%
Industrial 25
103,936
+0.6%
Financial 15
16,502
-0.1%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE