NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO 13
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 10 JULY 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 5)
13 Hon C J de Beer (ANC-Northern Cape) to ask the Minister of Water and
Environmental Affairs:
1. Is the building of a dam in the lower Orange River at Vioolsdrif
part of the planning in terms of bulk water supply for the
Northern Cape for the future?
2. If yes, what are the time frames.
3. If no, what is Department of Water Affairs strategic plan for
bulk water supply to the western part of the Northern Cape?
CW15E
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REPLY:
1) The construction of a dam in the lower Orange River near
Vioolsdrift has been identified in planning studies as being a
viable alternative to increase the available water yield from the
Orange River. The site lies on the common border between South
Africa and Namibia and is envisaged as a joint development that
would serve the projected needs of both countries, including
Northern Cape in South Africa.
2) Given the time normally required to approve and undertake
international water projects, it is unlikely that the dam could be
completed before about 2018. Further joint planning studies with
Namibia are required to confirm water demands, the environmental
flow requirements, optimize the size of storage required, the
engineering design and cost of development. Agreements will have to
be concluded with Namibia on sharing costs of the study, the
development costs and sharing the water resources
(3) Falls away.
ooOoo