All eyes on Limpopo’s most precious resource: Water

Makhado - The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has raised serious concerns on the draft Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report for the Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone (MMSEZ). 

They state that 98% of all available water supplies in South Africa have already been allocated making water a critical element to consider in all developments. The MMSEZ aims to use 110 million cubic metres of water per annum which is not currently available in the Limpopo province. In terms of the National Water Act and international obligations there must be provision made for a water reserve now and for the projected future water needs of the region which cannot be done with the huge water requirements of the MMSEZ.

WWF cites the Limpopo Water Management Area North Reconciliation Strategy which states that groundwater abstraction in the area is already too high and provides sound reasoning why the MMSEZ is not in the public interest. 

Any groundwater abstraction would come from a transboundary aquifer and the proposed water abstraction rate would be more than the calculated groundwater recharge rate. A groundwater deficit would affect domestic use and agriculture in Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique who share the aquifer with South Africa. 

The draft EIA recognises that there is a high likelihood that river flows will be much less in the future due to global warming but the impacts on downstream users and the ecological reserve are swept under the carpet. Downstream water users in Mozambique are already concerned about reductions in river flows and water quality. WWF concludes that the MMSEZ is not practical until a sustainable water supply can be assured. 

Submissions to the environmental consultant close on Sunday 31 January 2021. After this date, the Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism will review whether the consultant has addressed the objections and concerns raised by the interested and affected parties in a manner that ensures sustainable and equitable development in the province.