Abstract
M.Sc. (Environmental Management)
Geothermal springs exist on all continents of the Earth and are used for a myriad of different
applications and uses. The last few years have witnessed a resurgence of interest in these
springs due to a proliferation of utilisation of geothermal resources. Despite numerous
benefits associated with their use, studies have shown that the water of geothermal springs
could contain toxic elements, pathogenic organisms, toxic gases and even elements that are
radio-active in nature that may have health impacts on users. The presence of some of these
chemicals in the water and air can be traced back to the geological formations through which
the thermal waters flow.
More than 90 geothermal springs have been identified in South Africa. However, relatively
little is known about how South African geothermal springs have been used in the past and
how their geochemical composition and land-use around them has changed over time. There
is also a scarcity of scientific literature dealing with environmental risk assessment associated
with the different uses of geothermal spring water in South Africa. Given this research
contextualization, the present study examined the overall water quality and assessed the
potential health risks of the geothermal spring and associated waters (hydro spa and overflow
pond) of the holiday resort of “Eiland” in the Limpopo Province. The research undertaken for
this research project formed part of a bigger Water Research Commission (WRC) research
project on geothermal springs in South Africa. Water samples were taken and observations were made of the resort waters during a field trip
undertaken during August 2012. Chemical analyses of the samples were performed by the
Agricultural Research Council (ARC): Institute for Soil, Climate and Water of South Africa
(ISCW). Parameters under investigation included temperature, pH, electrical conductivity,
total dissolved solids and various chemical constituents. A comparison of the laboratory
results to previous years data and to four domestic water use standards/guidelines was made.
These included the EU (1998), SABS (2006), SABS (2011) and the WHO (2011) domestic
use water quality standards/guidelines. A risk assessment, based on Aucamp’s (2009)
method, was performed for potentially harmful parameters. Overall, the waters of the resort were deemed to be of low risk and therefore not of a health
and environmental risk to the users. Although the waters do not satisfy the domestic use
water standards, they are suitable for the current recreational purposes of the resort. It is
recommended however, that the soil sensitivity be determined for irrigational purposes and
toxicology tests be conducted for the fish species inhabiting the overflow pond and small dam
in order to determine the possible extent of bioaccumulation. It is recommended that
geothermal waters are not used for bottling or for consumption for domestic or therapeutic
purposes. In the event of expansion to include such uses a stringent new risk assessment is
recommended.