NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO 49
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 26 FEBRUARY 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 2)
49. Mr K A Sinclair (COPE-NC) to ask the Minister of Water and
Environmental Affairs:
Whether her department has held any discussions with the Namibian
authorities regarding the construction of a dam on the Orange River
between South Africa and Namibia; if not, what is the position in
this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
CW53E
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REPLY:
Yes, My Department is currently in discussions with Namibia over
improving the yield of the Orange River. The construction of a dam
in the lower Orange River near Vioolsdrift has been identified in
joint planning studies conducted with Namibia 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.
Further Joint Feasibility 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. Bearing in mind the previously
mentioned factors and the time normally required to approve and
undertake international water projects, it is unlikely that the dam
could be completed before 2018.
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