Geohydrological Investigation for the Ethafeni Precinct ... · PDF fileProject Acceptance Form. ... report in terms of the Section 24 G NEMA application. This document aims to motivate

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Geohydrological Investigation for the Ethafeni Precinct Planning Project - Section 24G Motivation

Report

Version – Final Draft

15 September 2016

Triplo4 Sustainable Solutions (Pty) Ltd

GCS Project Number: 15-0563

Client Reference: E-BL00.160054

Triplo4 Sustainable Solutions (Pty) Ltd Ethafeni Precinct - Section 24G Motivation

15-0563 15 September 2016 Page ii

GEOHYDROLOGICAL INVESTIGATION FOR THE ETHAFENI PRECINCT PLANNING PROJECT - SECTION 24G MOTIVATION

Report Version – Final Draft

15 September 2016

Triplo4 Sustainable Solutions (Pty) Ltd

15-0563

DOCUMENT ISSUE STATUS

Report Issue Final Draft

GCS Reference Number GCS Ref - 15-0563

Client Reference 15-0563

Title Geohydrological Investigation for the Ethafeni Precinct

Planning Project - Section 24G Motivation

Name Signature Date

Author Henri Botha

September 2016

Document Reviewer Pieter Labuschagne

September 2016

Director Pieter Labuschagne

September 2016

LEGAL NOTICE This report or any proportion thereof and any associated documentation remain the property of GCS until the mandator effects payment of all fees and disbursements due to GCS in terms of the GCS Conditions of Contract and Project Acceptance Form. Notwithstanding the aforesaid, any reproduction, duplication, copying, adaptation, editing, change, disclosure, publication, distribution, incorporation, modification, lending, transfer, sending, delivering, serving or broadcasting must be authorised in writing by GCS.

Triplo4 Sustainable Solutions (Pty) Ltd Ethafeni Precinct: 24G Motivation

15-0563 15 September 2016 Page iii

CONTENTS PAGE

1 INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 4

1.1 APPROACH ................................................................................................................................... 4 1.2 DECELERATION OF INDEPENDENCE .................................................................................................... 5

2 PROJECT AREA ............................................................................................................................ 5

2.1 PROJECT AREA .............................................................................................................................. 5 2.2 AQUIFER CHARACTERISTICS .............................................................................................................. 7 2.3 HYDROCHEMISTRY ......................................................................................................................... 9

3 ACTIVITIES AND GEOHYDROLOGICAL IMPACTS .......................................................................... 9

3.1 UNLAWFUL CONSTRUCTION ............................................................................................................. 9 3.2 MUNICIPAL INFRASTRUCTURE......................................................................................................... 10

4 CONCLUDING REMARKS ........................................................................................................... 11

4.1 RECOMMENDATIONS .................................................................................................................... 12

5 REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................. 12

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 2-1: Locality map of the Ethafeni Precinct Area ........................................... 6 Figure 2-2: Groundwater levels and flow directions (estimated with Bayesian interpolation of available data) of the Ethafeni Precinct Project area .......................... 8

15-0563 15 September 2016 Page 4

1 INTRODUCTION

GCS Water and Environment (Pty) Ltd (GCS) was appointed by Triplo4 Sustainable Solutions

(Pty) Ltd (Triplo4) to undertake a geohydrological investigation for the Ethafeni Precinct

Project and to provide a motivational report in terms of the Section 24 G NEMA application.

This document aims to motivate why the KwaDukuza Municipality should not have to take

responsibility of the unlawful construction of private housing that has impacted the area, in

terms of geohydrology. Therefore, the main objectives of this document are:

To supply a summary of the geohydrological conditions of the site;

To supply a summary of the hydro-chemical conditions of the site;

Identify the geohydrological impacts as a result of the site conditions before and after

the installation of municipal infrastructure (piping, roads, electricity, sewer etc.) in

the area;

Discuss and motivate why the municipal infrastructure installed benefits the area, in

terms of geohydrological risk and impacts.

Therefore, this report aims to motivate based on the existing geohydrological impacts and not

potential impacts for the proposed formalisation and in-situ upgrades to the Ethafeni Precinct

Area, which are to take place.

The potential impacts from the proposed formalisation and in-situ upgrades to the Ethafeni

Precinct Area is discussed in the accompanying report, titled: Geohydrological Investigation

for the Ethafeni Precinct Planning Project (GCS, 2016).

1.1 Approach

The following approach or philosophy was adopted for the compilation of the motivation

report:

The G4 Guideline document for Impact Prediction (DWAF, 2008) was followed. This

refers to the Source-Pathway-Receiver Principle (“SPR”). The SPR, in the case of the

Ethafeni Precinct Area and for the purpose of this motivation report refers to the:

o Source:

Any pollution source which may be or was introduced into the aquifer

system before and after municipal infrastructure was installed in the

Ethafeni Precinct area (these are all identified sources which exists in

the area but excludes potential sources from the proposed

formalisation of the area). Therefore, impacts caused by the unlawful

construction of private housing and the limited municipal

infrastructure installed to date.


o The Pathway:

Refers to an aquifer system where potential seepage form pollution

sources can emanate, be transported by groundwater movement and

potentially be associated with a shallow or deeper aquifer system.

o The Receiver:

Refers to a surface stream, wetland or river and in some cases users

of the groundwater system (pathway), like community water supply

or usage for irrigation and livestock watering.

1.2 Deceleration of independence

GCS (Pty) Ltd (GCS) was appointed to conduct a specialist groundwater study and to act as the

independent hydrogeological specialist in this application. GCS performed the work relating

to the application in an objective manner, even if this results in views and findings that are

not favourable to the applicant. GCS has the expertise in conducting the specialist report

relevant to this application and will not engage in conflicting interests in the undertaking of

this study. This report presents the findings of the investigations which include the activities

set out in the scope of work.

2 PROJECT AREA

2.1 Project Area

The Ethafeni project area lies west of the Mvoti Toll Plaza on the N2 national road and south-

east of Groutville, within the KwaDukuza Local Municipality, Ilembe Municipality, KwaZulu-

Natal. The project area comprises 82 properties on approximately 230 Ha of land. The site

topography is characterised by gentle to flat topography which gently slopes towards the Mvoti

River to the North. Elevations typically range from 50 to 85 mamsl (metres above mean sea

level). Large portions of the Ethafeni area are classified as wetlands. A locality map is

presented in Figure 2-1.



Figure 2-1: Locality map of the Ethafeni Precinct Area



2.2 Aquifer characteristics

The following provides a summary of the most important aquifer related aspects. The

information was obtained by means of a desktop assessment, review other specialist reports

and a field investigation.

The desktop study indicate two aquifer systems in the area, a shallow alluvium aquifer

underlain by the deeper fractured Dwyka and Ecca aquifer, of the Karoo Sequence.

Data suggest that groundwater movement is slow in the deeper aquifer associated

with Dwyka and Ecca sediments and moderate within the alluvium sediments.

Therefore, it is anticipated that contaminant movement will be slow-moderate for the

general area.

A linear correlation exists between the surface elevations and groundwater elevations.

This relationship suggests that the groundwater levels more or less mimic the

topographic surface. Groundwater flow directions also tend to be from topographic

higher areas towards lower lying areas, in most cases.

Data gathered from the desktop study and field investigation indicates that shallow

(in the order of 0.5-10 mbgl) and perched groundwater levels occur across the area.

The analysed hydrochemical data indicates ambient water qualities are generally

saline (mineralised chloride water).

No groundwater users were identified in the area. The surface water streams,

wetlands and the groundwater aquifer are the only receptors of potential pollution.

Water for human consumption and agricultural purposes within the areas are either

obtained from the wetland streams or limited municipal water supply to the area.

Based on the aquifer host rock the saturated groundwater seepage velocity rate is

estimated to be in the order of 1-10 m/day for saturated alluvium and 1x10-1 to

1x10-7 for Dwyka and Ecca sediments.

Recharge for the local aquifer system seems to be between 3 to 8% of annual rainfall.

Typical storativity values for Karoo rock aquifers are in the order of 5x10-3 to 5x10-4.

Figure 2-2 shows the groundwater map generated for the area. The map indicates the

estimated flow directions and groundwater table elevation throughout the area.



Figure 2-2: Groundwater levels and flow directions (estimated with Bayesian interpolation of available data) of the Ethafeni Precinct Project area



2.3 Hydrochemistry

The following supplies a brief overview of the hydrochemical conditions of the Ethafeni

Precinct area. Hydrochemical data was obtained from the field investigation as well as

Groundwater Resource Information (GRIP) and National Groundwater Archive (NGA)

databases.

All water sources samples exhibit neutral pH conditions.

All surface water samples collected from the streams in the area exhibit elevated

electrical conductivity (EC) values above DWAF ideal values. Elevated sodium and

chloride concentrations are also noted with the addition of elevated iron and nitrate

observed at some surface water points. It is anticipated that the elevated elemental

concentration observed relates to the drought felt in the area. During dry seasons

precipitation of salts exceeds dissolution due to the absence of sufficient water.

All surface water samples collected exhibit elevated faecal coliforms, total coliforms

and E. coli counts above SANS 241-1:2015 acute limits which are caused by faecal

contamination. The water in the streams are therefore unfit for human consumption.

However, water can still be used for irrigation purposes. It is anticipated that livestock

grazing in the area as well as the poor sewer infrastructure are the sources of pollution

to the streams.

Groundwater quality range from good quality to elevated microbial activity.

3 ACTIVITIES AND GEOHYDROLOGICAL IMPACTS

Based on the methodological approach (as mentioned in Section 1.1) the geohydrological

impacts can be divided into two groups, namely:

Impacts associated with the unlawful construction of the private housing; and

Impacts associated with the installation of the municipal infrastructure.

3.1 Unlawful construction

It is anticipated that the unlawful construction of dwellings in the Ethafeni Area has increased

the geohydrological risk in the area. As per the field investigation and desktop study, it is

evident that numerous wetlands occur in the area, shallow groundwater levels occur

throughout the area and that limited municipal infrastructure exists. However, because the

aquifer is poorly exploited and classified as a minor aquifer, the existing impact on the aquifer

can be seen as moderate-low.

The following geohydrological impacts are anticipated as a result of the unlawful housing

construction in the area:


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Inadequate municipal infrastructure (sewer pipelines, bulk water supply pipelines,

airborne sanitation, sufficient access roads and waste disposable facilities) has

rendered the aquifer at risk. Due to the lack of the above mentioned facilities, the

resident’s disposes of both general and sewage waste at/near the soil surface. This

increases the contamination risk of both the shallow groundwater table and the nearby

wetlands.

Most of the Ethafeni area exhibits houses constructed very close to each other, with

most of them making use of pit latrines or other septic systems. Therefore, it is

anticipated that due to the generally flat elevation and shallow water table that

passive groundwater contamination is occurring.

Stockpiling general waste (paper, plastic, garden refuge, building rubble etc.) in some

areas due to the lack of disposal facilities; or dumping of waste into excavated pits in

the area allows for poor quality seepage into the shallow groundwater aquifer.

It appears as though many residents have resorted to hand dug trenches/channels to

divert groundwater for both irrigation and drinking purposes. It is anticipated that

exposing the groundwater in such a manor puts the shallow groundwater table at risk

for contamination by anthropogenic activates. It is anticipated that diverting

groundwater from the natural occurring wetlands in the area, may also have an impact

on the overall wetland health (both quality and quantity).

The cemetery, established at the head of one of the large valleys on site, will have a

big impact on the shallow groundwater aquifer and future groundwater users in the

area. The location of the cemetery within the wetland and in an area with an

acknowledged shallow water table is likely to be resulting in contamination of

groundwater as the decomposing bodies leach into the ground water system.

3.2 Municipal infrastructure

There is limited municipal infrastructure in the Ethafeni Area. However, in contrast to the

somewhat negative geohydrological impacts of the unlawful housing which has taken place,

the municipal infrastructure has improved the areas where it exists. Hence, it is anticipated

that the municipal infrastructure installed to date has reduced the overall geohydrological

impact in the area.

It is anticipated that the following factors have been improved, in terms of geohydrological

risk, due to the already installed municipal infrastructure:


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Providing some of the dwellings with municipal water have enabled the residents to

use municipal water for drinking and irrigation purposes. Effectively this has reduced

the number of burrow pits, canals and drains which divert the shallow groundwater to

the desired areas of use. It is anticipated that this has reduced the exposure of

groundwater to the atmosphere resulting in a decrease of water contamination.

Providing sewer infrastructure in some areas has enabled the residents to dispose of

waste in a more hygienic manor. It is anticipated that this has greatly decreased the

potential impact on the groundwater aquifer due to the reduction of sewage discharge

into the shallow aquifer and nearby wetlands. Though there may be risk of pollution

from municipal sewage systems, it is anticipated that proper management, monitoring

and maintenance of these sewer lines will keep the risk low-insignificant.

The construction of proper roads have allowed for municipal service truck (such as

septic removal services, garden and building removal services and general waste

removal services) to gain easy access to the Ethafeni site. A number of skips were

noticed in the area, which are made available for residents to dispose of waste in a

proper and safe manor. Therefore, it is anticipated that the impact on the

groundwater aquifer has been reduced due to the removal of potential contamination

agents from the area.

It is anticipated that dwellings who have access to electricity have improved their

overall living standards. In context, this means that conventional methods to generate

heat (burning of wood, plastic, grass etc.) leaving residue on the soil surface has been

reduced. Effectively, by increasing electricity access to users in the Ethafeni area will

decrease the Ethafeni carbon footprint, decrease the amount of burnt waste in

contact with the soil and will reduce the overall geohydrological impact.

4 CONCLUDING REMARKS

The anticipated geohydrological impacts, as summarised in the previous chapter, indicate

that:

Unlawful housing development with no fixed layout plan or municipal infrastructure

plan poses a risk to the groundwater aquifer.

Municipal service infrastructure (piping, roads, electricity etc.) have most likely

improved and uplifted the area. In context this has reduced the overall

geohydrological impact in areas where the infrastructure exists.

Unlawful housing is taking place at a rate that exceeds the rate at which municipal

service infrastructure can be made available/installed in the area. Therefore, the

municipality has limited control over what is being done in the area, not to mention

that all activates not approved by the municipality is unlawful.


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The above mentioned statements suggest that the municipality should not have to take

responsibility of the unlawful construction of private housing that has impacted area. All

activities not approved by the municipality or authorities are unlawful and hence the

municipality cannot take responsibility for unlawful acts.

Therefore, the municipality can only take responsibility for pollution or impacts caused by

infrastructure installed by the municipality.

4.1 Recommendations

It is recommended that the formalisation of the township, in terms of adequate service

infrastructure (water pipes, sewer lines, electricity, access roads, storm water facilities,

airborne sanitation facilities) be implemented to further reduce the geohydrological impact

in the area.

Furthermore, routine monitoring of all available groundwater boreholes, wetlands and stream

in the area should be conducted on a regular basis. This will help to establish areas that will

require further improvement in terms of municipal infrastructure and services to limit the

impact on the environment.

5 REFERENCES

Africa Environmental Management Consultants (ACER). 2013. Ethafeni planning and

development framework for KwaDukuza Municipality, KwaZulu Natal. Pre-Feasibility Study:

Environmental and Wetland Assessments. Revision 1.0.

Botha, G.A. and Singh, R. 2012. Geological, geohydrological and development potential

zonation influences; Environmental management framework for Umkhanyakude district,

Kwazulu-Natal. Council of Geoscience.

DEIP. 1995. Department of the Environment Industry Profile: Sewage works and sewage farms.

Date of access: 4 February 2016. Retrieved from:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/314252/sc

ho0195bjld-e-e.pdf.

DWA. 2007. Best Practice Guidelines – G3: Water Monitoring Systems.

DWA. 2008. Best Practice Guidelines: Impact Prediction (G4).

DWA. 2012. Aquifer Classification of South Africa map. Hydrological Services. Groundwater

Information.

SMA. 2014. Ethafeni Precinct Plan - Proposed Draft Layout over Various Portions of Groutville.

Struwig Mendes Associates. 2001. Proposed Layout Phase 4A.

Documents

Geohydrological Investigation for the Ethafeni Precinct ... · PDF fileProject Acceptance Form. ... report in terms of the Section 24 G NEMA application. This document aims to motivate