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Vaal (Upper, Middle and Lower) WMA Classification VAAL STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING

Vaal (Upper, Middle and Lower) WMA Classification VAAL STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING Date: 10 October 2012 Venue: DWA Gauteng Regional Office (Pretoria) Time: 10:00. To provide feedback on the progress of classifying water resources in the Vaal WMA

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Vaal (Upper, Middle and Lower) WMA Classification VAAL STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING

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  1. Vaal (Upper, Middle and Lower) WMA Classification VAAL STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING Date: 10 October 2012 Venue: DWA Gauteng Regional Office (Pretoria) Time: 10:00

  2. To provide feedback on the progress of classifying water resources in the Vaal WMA To inform stakeholders about the conclusion of the Classification process To provide an overview of way forward PURPOSE OF THE PRESENTATION

  3. LEGAL MANDATE • The classification of South Africa’s water resources is required by the National Water Act (NWA) (No. 36 of 1998) (Chapter 3 regarding the protection of water resources) • Class • Reserve • Resource Quality Objectives • Regulation 810 published in Government Gazette No. 33541 dated 17 September 2010 defined the water resource management classes and a procedure (Water Resource Classification System – WRCS) to determine a Class. • According to the NWA, once this WRCS has been gazetted all significant water resources must be classified into Management Classes (MCs).

  4. THREE MANAGEMENT CLASSES

  5. WHY CLASSIFYING VAAL WMAs? • The Vaal WMAs have various land uses in the catchment area: • the increased flows due to discharges from the various mines; • livestock farming • industries; and • agricultural activities. • The discharges are having significant impacts on the water quality in the Vaal River, throughout all three WMAs. • Further exacerbated by over-abstraction & illegal water use.

  6. CLASSIFICATION OF WATER RESOURCES • The water resources of the Vaal WMA are one of the first to be classified (this process) in South Africa. • VaalWMAs study was a 24 months study initiated in October 2010 till September 2012 • WRP was appointed to assist DWA • The objective of the study was to classify ALL significant water resources into Management Classes (MC) • Ecological, Hydrological and Socio-economic aspects were looked at when deriving scenarios into MCs

  7. THE PURPOSE OF WATER RESOURCE CLASSIFICATION • Ensure long term sustainable use of the water resources • Quality and quantity • Provide regulatory certainty • Facilitate decision making • Provide framework in which goals (resource quality objectives) can be set to measure regulatory performance and compliance • Water Quality • Water Quantity • River and wetland habitat and biota

  8. STUDY PROCESS: WHAT HAS BEEN DONE? • In accordance with the classification guidelines: 7 step process applies • Stakeholder Engagement • Set other scenarios (future states) and evaluate within the integrated water resource management context of WMA • Understand the implications of different protection levels • Assessment of WMA • Divided into catchment areas (IUAs) based on socio-economic/ • land use characteristics/ • water resources (IUAs) • Data assessed • Status quo understood • Ecological requirements of water resources understood and quantified • How much water does the ecology require for different protection levels • Models set up with ecological requirements and water requirements • Set and test a sustainable ecological protection levelscenario for water resources • Value and condition of water resources • Goods and servicesassessed • Economic Framework for decision making developed 3 1 2 4 5 6 October 2010 to July 2012

  9. Overview of Scenarios (IVRS) A: Present Day (2011) Reference scenario, imbalance of EWR 2 & 3. B: Correction of imbalance in A Achieving REC at both EWR 2 & 3, no yield implication in Vaal River Eastern Subsystem. C: Full utilisation (system under stress) Prior to LHWP Phase 2, Vaal Barrage dilution rule. D: 2020 scenario (excess supply situation) LHWP Phase 2 operational, Desalination of mine water . E: Restore seasonality at EWR 8 (revised release role from Sterkfontein Dam Yield reduction of firm supply of 45 million m3/a. F: EWR releases d/s of Douglas Weir & apply Scenario E rule Show yield reduction in firm supply of 99 million m3/annum.

  10. Recommended scenario Scenario D with the Ecological Water Requirements of Scenario A at EWR 9 site is recommended. Monitoring the health of rivers essential to fulfil National Water Act. 10

  11. DELINEATED IUAS AND THE PROPOSED MANAGEMENT CLASSES

  12. Upper Vaal: Proposed Management Classes MC II MC III 12

  13. Middle Vaal: Proposed Management Classes MC II MC III

  14. Lower Vaal: Proposed Management Classes MC II MC III

  15. Conclusions • Summary of Management Classes: • Thirteen (13) Integrated Units of Analysis in Management Class II • Thirteen (13) Integrated Units of Analysis in Management Class III • The ecological status of two Integrated Units of Analysis are below a D Ecological Category, mostly due to poor water quality . • Blesbokspruit, Riet and Klip rivers - IUA (UI) • Mooi River – IUA (UL) • Vaal River (Reach in IUA UM) – periodic unacceptable water quality for recreation and use. 15 15

  16. Implications of the MCs • Management Classes I & 11 may be stricter and limiting of some activities. • Management Classes III – May be accommodating of most activities.

  17. STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

  18. GENERAL STAKEHOLDER ISSUES OF CONCERNS • Water Quality – AMD (alignment of AMD management into Classification process) • Groundwater resource availability for use • Socio-economic – calculation of the economic imperatives (GDP) • Inadequate stakeholder engagement - Municipalities not represented

  19. PROPOSED COMMUNICATION PLAN

  20. WAY FORWARD • In accordance with the classification guidelines: 7 step process applies • Prepare proposals for consideration by Minister of DWA (consideration of all input and comments): • Gazette proposed classes & RQOs (60 day comment period) • Stakeholder engagement • Understand scenarios and implications for the WMA • Provide input on recommendations for management classes • Determination of the RQOs 6 Steps 2 1 5 4 3 We are here

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