e r 2 - Umgeni Water

Chapter| Water Resources7.4.1 Mgeni System: Planned Developments and ShortfallsPhase 2 of the Mooi-Mgeni Transfer Scheme: Spring Grove DamThe Mooi-Mgeni River Transfer Scheme (MMTS) was intended for phased implementation in accordance withgrowth needs. Phase 1 of this scheme (MMTS-1) was commissioned in 2003 and comprised the new Mearns Weiron the Mooi River, the raising of Midmar Dam, the provision of a standby pump for the existing Mearn’s PumpingStation and the registration of a servitude of aqueduct along sections of the Mpofana, Lions and Mgeni rivers.Phase 2 of this scheme (MMTS-2) comprises the proposed Spring Grove Dam (full supply capacity of 141.6 millioncubic metres) on the Mooi River, a new pumping station at Spring Grove Dam and a new pipeline to transfer waterdirectly into the Mpofana River, which is within the Mgeni catchment. The overall transfer capacity of the MMTSwill then be increased to its ultimate rate of 4.5 cubic metres per second.Over the past few years water demands from the Mgeni System have continued to grow, with this past financialyear showing a decreased growth rate from the previous year (refer to Figure 7.1). The current financial year isexpected to show a further decline in growth rate with an increase in the years thereafter. Figure 7.1 indicates thatdemands have already exceeded the 99% assurance of supply level that will be achieved with the commissioningof MMTS-2, and even further augmentation of the Mgeni System is already needed.At the end of 2007 the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs instructed the Trans-Caledon-Tunnel-Authority (TCTA) to implement the MMTS-2 project as quickly as possible in order to augment the existing systemand reduce the risk of possible future restrictions. Construction of the dam is scheduled to begin in the first half of2011. At this stage construction is scheduled to be completed in September 2012 with the first water delivered inApril 2013. However, the construction of water supply pipeline from the dam, which will maximise the transfercapacity from the dam, has been delayed due to an appeal against the environmental record of decision. It appearsthat the completion of this pipeline is now likely to only occur a year or two after the dam completion.Phase 1 of the Mkomazi Water Project: Smithfield DamIt is evident from current and projected water demand trends (refer to Figure 7.1), that the planning of the nextmajor water resource development, the Mkomazi Water Project, to support the Mgeni system urgently needs tobe brought to a stage of implementation. Without this augmentation of the Mgeni system, Umgeni Water will beunable to ensure that future water demands can be met timeously and at the appropriate level of assurance.Therefore, there is now a need for DWA to move beyond the findings of the 1998 pre-feasibility study of thisscheme and initiate a detailed feasibility level investigation into this augmentation option.It is anticipated that DWA will initiate a detailed feasibility investigation of the raw water component of thisscheme during the first half of 2011. Umgeni Water has undertaken to complete concurrent detailed feasibilitylevel investigations into the associated potable water component. It is envisaged that these investigations willproceed simultaneously and in an integrated manner, and the environmental impact assessment of the entireproject conducted as a single co-funded investigation.Page 34 Umgeni Water Five-Year Business Plan | 2011/2012 to 2015/2016