Non-renewable groundwater resources: a ... - unesdoc - Unesco

CHAPTER 5 ■ REGIONAL CASESIn addition to normal wellfield groundwater level monitoring, there are several privatelyowned boreholes within the 8 km radius of the wellfield. These have been monitored so thatcompensation of private farmers can be effected when it is deemed that the drawdown inducedby the mine equals or exceeds 5 m.Conclusions and recommendationsPublic education is needed to create and maintain awareness among all water users of theneed to conserve and reuse water and protect it from pollution. Guidelines are needed for theconstruction of boreholes/wells and for identifying the appropriate water quality parametersto monitor.Government efforts on conjunctive use of water should be pursued to ease pressureon exploitation of groundwater resources. Modelling is, and should continue to be, carried outfor major water schemes such as JNW to estimate optimum drawdowns and the safe yield, in aneffort to try to manage the wellfield sustainably. Based on model predictions the JwanengNorthern Wellfield seems capable of supplying the demands of the mine and township up tothe year 2008 at an acceptable quality. However, predictive models should be audited regularlyby an independent agency.ReferencesANGLO AMERICAN CORPORATION. 1988. Groundwater Exploration Drilling and Test Pumping atJwaneng Northern Wellfield.DEBSWANA DIAMOND COMPANY. 2000. Northern Wellfield Monitoring Report (Pty) Ltd. Number 36,Executive Summary.WELLFIELD CONSULTING SERVICES.1977. Groundwater Feasibility Study – Jwaneng.———. 1984. Jwaneng Northern Wellfield Groundwater Resource Reappraisal.———. 1984. Jwaneng Northern Wellfield Aquifer Model Recalibration.95