Utilities
Water management is key to the North West’s future growth.
South Africa is a water-scarce country and the western part of North West Province is an example of that phenomenon. Overall, the province is well watered by rivers and an extensive network of dams collects water from several catchment areas.
South Africa has six major catchment areas and half of these flow through the North West: the Limpopo, the Orange and the Vaal. Within these catchment areas there are many rivers, but only the Vaal River has a strong enough flow to allow for really significant amounts of water to be taken from it directly to support irrigation or industry.
The Crocodile and Groot Marico rivers make up the southwestern corner of the Limpopo Basin catchment area. The Vaal River, which defines the province’s south-eastern boundary, is a major source of water and the province’s sector of the Vaal River System is known as the Lower Vaal. From here, water is transferred to the drier parts of the province in the west. The Vaal and Molopo rivers form part of the Orange River catchment area.
Many communities depend on groundwater as their main source of domestic water so it is important that the quality of this water is tested regularly. In general, the water is sound but some parts have fluoride-
rich rocks under them, a feature of the geological feature known as the Bushveld Igneous Complex (an area rich in minerals of all sorts).
In addition, sulphate concentrations resulting from mining operations occur in places.
The province’s two principal primary sectors – mining and agriculture – are both thirsty activities. Water has to be imported into the provincial system to meet demand. This is done by way of transfers between one water basin and another. The North West has a number of dams, some
of which are very large, such as the Hartbeespoort and Bloemhof dams.
The national Department of Water Affairs has undertaken
a major project to reduce the phosphate load in the Hartbeespoort
Dam. The Hartbeespoort Dam Integrated Biological Remediation Programme (HDRP) is removing algae and hyacinths that are choking the dam. If these plants are not removed, then the province’s economy will be damaged as the dam serves such an important function. Reasons for the dam being in the state it is include the discharge of
waste water from the rapidly urbanising catchment area, storm-water flows into the dam that include fertiliser and animal waste, and degraded river banks and wetlands in the catchment areas.
The HDRP is being implemented in line with the National Water Resource Strategy. Once the dam’s water quality has been restored, it will regain its place as a vital element in the industrial sector and as an even more popular tourist destination.
Another national programme, Water for Growth and Development, has several successful projects in the North West:
- Metsi Botshelo Water harvests rainwater to reduce dependence on piped water in the Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality
- Bulk-water supplies at Maquassi Hills Local Municipality have been upgraded
- Water-conservation and environmental-awareness projects in the Mafikeng area
The province is served by several water utility companies: Rand Water, Sedibeng Water, Magalies Water, Midvaal Water and Botshelo Water. Botshelo Water concentrates its mandate on the western areas of the North West. The publically owned entity supplies bulk water to the district municipalities of Ngaka Modiri Molema and Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati. In addition, it serves Mafikeng Local Municipality, among others.
The north-eastern part of the province is mostly served by Magalies Water, an entity that came into being to supply the platinum mines in the area. Magalies Water runs eight potable water-treatment plants and sells water in the North West, Limpopo and Gauteng. The company’s largest plants, Vaalkop 1, 2 and 3, have an operating capacity of 210 megalitres per day. The company also runs waste-water treatment plants for the Rustenburg Local Municipality.
