An integrated assessment of socio-economic and ... - Unesco

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Operational information Celiwe Mbuli The Orange River is the longest river in Southern Africa, stretching from Lesotho down to the Orange River mouth in Alexandra Bay. One of the main tributaries of the Orange is the Vaal River. Analysis from the Water Resources Yield Model shows that 1680Mm 3 /a of water still enters the Orange from the Vaal; although the Vaal River System is operated such that the outflows from the Vaal River System into the Orange River are minimised. These inflows occur as a result of uncontrolled spills from major dams upstream of the Orange/Vaal confluence, local runoff generated in the intervening catchment downstream of the major dams and upstream of the Orange-Vaal confluence as well as a result of operational losses in the Lower Vaal. Many transfers occur from the Orange River catchment as well as to and from the Vaal River catchment. The developments that are taking place in the Upper Vaal affect the water quality downstream in the form of return irrigation flows and discharge. Interdependency within the system therefore makes operation complicated and increases the need to operate the Vaal and the Orange River in an integrated systems context. Water quality in the Lower Vaal catchment is poor; for example in the Harts River before its confluence with the Vaal River. Taung dam on the upper reaches of the Harts River is currently unused. Options to utilize this dam need to be analysed to determine the long term yield of the dam and possibly operating rules could then be determined to efficiently use the dam. The National Water Act (36 of 1998) requires that water for the Reserve should be allocated before any other developments. Water management plans that will give effect to operationalisation of the reserve need to be developed. For example if from the analysis of determining the options for Phase 2 of Lesotho Highlands Water Project, it is determined that there is surplus water available in Katse Dam, water could then be released from the Dam to improve the situation in the Orange River. As part of Water Conservation and Water Demand Management, reduction of operational losses needs to be seriously looked at; for example Water Management Plans that prioritize irrigation schemes to install metering systems need to be developed. This will create consumer awareness for effective water use. Rainwater harvesting as recommended in the Orange River Replanning Study will contribute to more effective irrigation schemes, it will also improve socio-economic status of dependent marginalized communities. Regular liaison among water managers in setting objectives for managing the Orange River basin is necessary. Collaboration needs to be improved to discuss issues of common interest. To conclude; the complexity of operation of the system in an integrated manner remains a challenge. Implementation of all the policies in place is an iterative process which will have to be tested and periodically updated through involvement of all roleplayers including environmental scientists and socio-economists. If something doesn’t work out we will have to revisit the strategies and try different ones. 9
Celiwe Mbuli observing the Katse Dam outfall near Clarens with other participants in the background. 10
Page 1 and 2: An integrated assessment of socio-e
Page 3 and 4: Foreword Sustainable development, m
Page 5 and 6: Table of Contents Executive Summary
Page 7 and 8: Map: Key sites visited during the t
Page 9 and 10: Water Management Area: Of the 19 na
Page 11 and 12: esource but protect the environment
Page 13: should be placed on demand manageme
Page 17 and 18: Katse Dam with Oraselearn participa
Page 19: (IFR) below the Phase 1 structures

An integrated assessment of socio-economic and ... - Unesco

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