The South African water management framework : Lethabo power station as a case study

Abstract

South Africa is considered to be a water scarce country and it is estimated that by 2030 the water demand would have surpassed the water supply. There are therefore serious implications if all sectors of South Africa do not utilise natural water resources efficiently. The power generation sector is one of the more dominant water users, utilising more than 2 % of the available water resources. Since Eskom is guaranteed a 99.5 % water supply from the Department of Water Affairs, and they are planning to double their power generating capacity by 2030, accountability from Eskom’s side is required to ensure water is managed according to South African standards. Water management strategies in South Africa are subject to location due to the variation of water availability and water quality in the different regions. This requires some areas to have more strict regulations than other areas, but the basic framework within which water is managed are based on the same policies and strategies. For example, dry cooling technologies were initially only designed for water scarce areas, but Eskom has committed to implement dry cooling technology at all new build power stations even though it is more expensive in terms of capital cost and maintenance. For the purposes of this study water management is investigated by means of a top down approach starting on national legislative level, then on departmental executive level, then on power generation corporate level and finally on power generation business unit level. A case study on business unit level is conducted at Lethabo power station to determine what the contributory factors to high water consumption are and what actions are required to rectify these problems. The aim of this research is therefore to discover how and how well water management is performed at older Eskom Power Stations within the greater water management framework existing at corporate and national level in South Africa. The strategic objectives of the power generation sector should include minimisation of the footprint of power generation on natural water resources by reducing water usage and implementing conservation strategies in order to make the power generation sector of South Africa a world leader in water management. With appropriate management, South African water resources can be utilised in such a way that it supports a healthy power generation industry as well as a growing population.