NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO 798
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 23 MARCH 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 8)
798. Ms A M Dreyer (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental
Affairs
(1) Whether, with reference to her reply to question 386 on 10 March
2010, any alternative water sources are available to persons
living around the areas where acid mine water is decanting into
the surface water in the Tweelopies Spruit; if not, why not; if
so, what are the relevant details;
(2) what alternative water sources are available to vegetable
farmers in the Tarlton area to irrigate their lands;
(3) how will ground water in the Zwartkrans dolomite compartment be
safeguarded from contamination by the decanting of acid mine
water in this area? NW929E
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REPLY:
1) Yes, there are alternative water sources to the people living in
the areas where acid mine water could have an impact on their
water resources. The people make use of water from Rand Water
or their own boreholes which are not impacted by the acid mine
water.
My Department conducts regular water sampling in the affected
area, the mines and various other role players in order to
scientifically monitor any changes in ground water quality. This
information is reported to the Western Basin Technical Working
Group, consisting of representatives from the relevant
regulators, mining houses as well as interested and affected
parties.
(2) There is no need for alternative water sources for the
vegetable farmers in the Tarlton area due to the fact that they
are not impacted by the acid mine water in the Tweelopies Spruit
originating from the Western Basin (down stream to Tarlton).
(3) The best solution to avoid any acid mine water reaching
the Zwartkrants dolomite compartment is to stop the pollution at
the source. My Department has recently intervened by forcing the
mines to contain, pump and treat increased volumes of acid mine
drainage. It is also envisaged that the water table in the
Western Basin will be drawn down to ensure that no untreated
acid mine water could enter the Tweelopies Spruit.
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