Abstract
M.Ing.
Water gives life. It waters the fields of farmers; it nurtures the crops and stock of rural
communities; it provides recreation for our children, our friends, our families; it
supports our power generation, our mines, our industry, and the plants and animals that
make up ecosystems. Water is the key to development and a good quality of life in
South Africa. South Africa's water belongs to its people. It is the task of the South
African Government to care for this water, to seek its fair distribution, and to facilitate
its wise use for, amongst other things, social and economical development. Issues such
as water resource management, use, protection, water services, etc., are presently
governed by a number of policies, acts and regulations.
All South Africans has a responsibility regarding the management of the country's
resources. The supply of water to its entire people makes it extremely important to
optimise the use of this scarce source. Access to water and water availability remains a
key factor in ensuring the sustainability of development in Southern Africa.
The coal fired power industry is a major user of natural resources; coal for fuel and
water for steam generation as well as the cooling systems. It is estimated that 1.5% of
the water abstracted in South Africa is used for power generation. The power industry
receives its water mainly as abstraction from surface impoundments in the form of
rivers and dams.
Eskom, as a strategic user of water, is mindful of the importance of water to its
business, as well as the development of the country. In addition to the interests of the
government as the shareholder, Eskom recognises the legitimate interests, as
stakeholders, of specific government departments, employees, consumers, suppliers,
investors and lenders of capital, rating agencies, the media, policy and regulatory
bodies, trade unions, non-governmental groups and local communities in its affairs.
Eskom needs to ensure, through an effective water management strategy, that water is
used wisely and effectively and that Eskom's impact on local water resources (surface
and underground) is minimised. Eskom therefore has to manage water resources in a
manner that will sustain the ecological integrity, support social development and ensure
economic growth.
Eskom has undertaken to benchmark the power generation industry, in co-operation
with the DW AF, in a project aimed at developing the principles of water conservation
and water demand management. In order to effectively manage water quality and
quantity at Eskom's power stations, and to show Eskom's commitment with regard to
water conservation and use, Eskom has compiled its own water and environmental
policies.