EIA-REP-325d-12 _BB_ - 201.09.14.pdf - SAHRA

sensitive to flow and habitat modifications and plays a role in moderating the quantity of water in major rivers.
However, in some instances, these functions could no longer be attributed to some of the wetlands.
The Wethealth assessment revealed that in terms of natural and human services the wetlands are moderately to
seriously modified. The loss of natural habitats and basic ecosystem functions are extensive and were caused
due to extensive anthropological activities in the catchment. In the event that this wetland is subject to further
degradation due to road construction and mining, Usutu Colliery will have to apply for a Section 21 (i) and (c)
Water Use License authorisation. The water use authorisation will entail a proper rehabilitation plan as part of the
closure plan.
12.7 River health assessment
Biomonitoring was conducted at two points in the Witpuntspruit upstream from the confluence with the Vaal River
on the Farm Jan Hendriksfontein 263 IT and upstream from the Camden Power station. The reference site was
selected in the upper parts of the Wipuntspruit upstream from the confluence with the Humanspruit. However, the
reference site was also situated downstream from several coal mining operations in the catchment.
Biomonitoring was conducted along with surface water monitoring to determine the current state of the surface
water resource and its associated aquatic community.
The biomonitoring points selected in the Wipuntspruit and Humanspruit respectively were at the two bridges
where these watercourses transect the N2 road with a third point (UCREF) selected in the Witpuntspruit to act as
a reference site. UC01 was located in the Witpuntspruit upstream of Camden power station and just downstream
from the Usutu west coal operations at the bridge on the N2 opposite the turn off to Camden Village.
UC02 was a further 300 meters upstream from the rehabilitated mining areas of Usutu West coal operations at
the bridge on the N2 crossing the Humanspruit just before the Camden power station turnoff. The tributary falls
within the C11B quaternary drainage area. According to the Ecological Water Requirements Assessment
conducted by Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (2001), the Present Ecological Status (PES) of C11B
quaternary drainage area is D, largely modified. This category was used to determine the current reference
scores for the stream.
The measured biota-specific water quality viables indicated that the stream could support aquatic life. The
invertabrate Habitat Assessment Sytem (IHAS) showed that UC01 and UC02 were within the range expected
from largely impaired stream that could not support a diverse macro-invertabrate fauna. It is also important to
remember that this biomonitoring was conducted directly downstream of mining operations. This might have
influenced the availibility of habitats. The SASS5 scores at both monitoring points were much lower than the
reference score. Of the 13 taxa that were found during the study, only two families found at UC01 were sensitive
to pollution while no sensitive species were found at UC02. The reference site hosted five sensitive species out
of a total of 21 taxa identified. Compared to the reference scores, UC01 was severely impaired, while UC02 was
largely impaired. Impacts on both monitoring points include upstream impacts from the agricultural land use
activities, sediment from the coal mining activities and power generation, litter from the N2 and erosion.
EIA-REP-325d-11
October 2012
118