Basic Assessment Report - Transnet

Transnet LimitedProposed RO Plant: Port of SaldanhaFinal Basic Assessment Report• The predicted very low impact associated with the addition of non-oxidisingbiocides (DBNPA) in the brine discharge at Site 3;• The predicted very low impact associated with co-discharged constituents (asa result of the use of certain chemicals in the pre-treatment or RO membranecleaning process);• The predicted low impact on biota as a result of entrainment due to pipelineintake;• The predicted insignificant impact on biota as a result of entrainment due tobeach well/pipeline intake; and• The predicted insignificant impact on sediment dynamics due to brinedischarge.Cumulative impacts associated with the proposed construction and operation of theRO Plant include:• The potential low negative impact on the marine environment and the qualityof water in Saldanha Bay. There are a number of existing activities thatpotentially have a negative impact on the quality of the marine environmentin Saldanha Bay including discharges from seafood processing industries,sewage entering the marine environment, storm water runoff entering themarine environment, port activities and associated ship traffic as well asactivities associated with smaller harbours. The main pollutants in thedischarges from the seafood industries are inorganic nitrogen, organicnitrogen and carbon, suspended solids and microbiological contaminants. Thebrine discharge from the proposed RO Plant will be a minor addition to theseexisting impacts in the Bay (i.e. cumulative impact).• The potential negative impact on the sensitive coastal dune habitat (Site 1only). Development along the coastline within the Bay has impacted on thenatural habitats and ecosystem the parabolic dunes provide. Additionaldevelopment in the dune system as envisaged at Site 1 will result in asignificant loss of 2ha of natural habitat.• The potential low negative visual impact resulting from increaseddevelopment at the Port of Saldanha. It is anticipated that, with the currentand proposed development at the Port the RO Plant would result in a minoraddition to this cumulative impact.• While water supplied by the RO Plant will make a positive contribution interms of dust mitigation, this will not, strictly speaking, be considered apositive impact, as dust mitigation is a requirement of the authorisation of theIron Ore Handling Facility. However, the benefits of the RO Plant inproviding a sustainable and reliable water supply to ensure that suitable dustmitigation can take place, without placing additional pressure on the scarcewater resources in the area, need to be recognised.54Prepared by the PDNA/SRK Joint Venture