Vision, Mission & Aims
Emalahleni Water Reclamation Project
The Emalahleni Local Municipality draws water from the Witbank Dam, in Limpopo, to meet its domestic, commercial, and industrial needs. However, the municipality is extracting more water than is permitted from the Dam and is still experiencing water shortages. In response to this problem, the municipality entered into partnership with Anglo Operations Limited to begin a water reclamation project in July 2005.
The project aims to provide much needed potable water to the
municipality by extracting polluted water from South Witbank Colliery
(a defunct bord and pillar mine), purifying it, streaming it into two
potable water reservoirs and then pumping the potable water into the
municipal reservoirs from which local people and businesses draw their
water. The project also helps to keep streams and rivers clean because
dirty mine water, which used to be emptied into the streams and rivers,
is now recycled for consumption purposes.
Innovation
The Emalahleni Water Reclamation Project is innovative in its
ability to use waste water from an old mine to create potable water,
available for human consumption. This is the first initiative of its
kind in South Africa.
Effectiveness
This project currently has 150 permanent employees drawn from the
local community. It plans to employ a further 200 in the next phase of
the project (bottling water) and to recruit from within disadvantaged
groups.
Poverty Impact
This project improves the quality of life of people living in the
Emalahleni Municipality since they are now able to access potable water
for their consumption and for their farms or businesses. It has also
created a long-term source of income for its 150 employees.
Sustainability
Funding for this project is secure. It is expected that this project
will be able to continue for at least another 50 years. In total, the
capital costs for this project amount to R38,910,000, and the operating
costs to R1,108,475 a year. The alternative proposed solution to
Emalahleni’s water shortage would have cost R30 million or more.
Replication
This project could be replicated in other areas that have mines to
assist in reducing water shortages for municipalities and assist South
African mines to become more environmentally sustainable.
Partnerships
- Anglo Operations Limited (funding and implementation)
- Emalahleni Local Municipality (storing and distributing water)
