PROJECTS: ORWRDP2 OVERVIEW

Olifants River Water Resources Development Project Phase 2 (ORWRDP 2)

The second phase of the Olifants River Water Resources Development Project Phase 2 (ORWRDP2) is intended to supply bulk water to meet the requirement s of new mining developments in the Limpopo province as well as community needs.

The project is located in the Olifants River catchment incorporating the Steelpoort River catchment area, and extends into the Mogalakwena and Sand River catchments. Within this region are the towns of Mokopane, Burgersfort, Steelpoort, Roossenekal, Jane Furse, Polokwane, Lebowakgomo and the rural communities of the Lepelle-Nkumpi, Fetakgomo and Greater Tubatse municipalities.

Project Profile

The project encompasses the De Hoop Dam - currently under construction by the Department of Water Affairs with funds from the fiscus - and bulk water transfer pipelines to be funded and implemented by TCTA.

ORWRDP has the following major distribution components:

• Bulk water pipeline from De Hoop Dam to Steelpoort.
• A bulk distribution system comprising pipelines and pump stations from Steelpoort along the R37 road that links with the existing Olifants-Sand Transfer Scheme at Olifantspoort.
• A bulk distribution system from the Flag Boshielo Dam to the Mokopane area
• Acquisition of the Lebalelo Water User Association infrastructure for incorporation into the project.

The bulk distribution system will enable the Flag Boshielo Dam and De Hoop Dam to function as a single system, ensuring a higher water supply assurance level. The additional yield is expected to be approximately 80 million m cubed per year.

Funding

Mining activities and municipalities are the two main user groups. The municipalities, through National Treasury, will fund approximately 50% of the project, and the balance The second phase of the Olifants River Water Resources is to be funded off-budget.

The capital costs of the commercial portion mining developments in t he Limpopo province as well will be recovered from the revenue generated from the sale of water to industrial users.