Residents against desalination plant
The proposed plant is to be near the King Shaka Estate near La Mercy/Desainager.
A group of North Coast residents are strongly opposed to the proposed construction of a large-scale desalination plant on the North Coast.
Notices recently appeared in the La Mercy area indicating Umgeni Water’s intention to build the plant near the King Shaka Estate near La Mercy/Desainager along the M4. Residents from La Mercy, Tongaat and King Shaka Estate have banded together, asking for the process to be halted.
Betty Rawheath from the La Mercy Residents Action Group (LaMRAG) said there is a general lack of awareness around the proposed development.
“None of these communities were given sufficient notice.We believe the legal requirements to satisfy the preliminary processes have not been met,” she said.
Desalination within the Ilembe district was first discussed three years ago but planning began in earnest last year when plans for the three-phase project were approved (‘Turning sea water into fresh’, Courier, August 9, 2013).
Then-acting Ilembe district manager Mike Newton said a R53bn plant was part of the district’s 35-year master plan, aiming to harvest salt water from the 130km of coastline along the district.
Desalination involves the removal of salt and other minerals from seawater and turning it into potable water. It would be a first in KZN. At the time Umgeni Water had established a test desalination plant in Westbrook, under the Ethekwini municipality, which was yielding pleasing results.
Among residents’ main concerns are the extensive environmental impact on the sensitive eco-system from the Umdloti Lagoon to the Tongaat River mouth that borders Zimbali, including mangrove forest and aquatic and marine life, owing to brine discharge, destruction to indigenous coastal forests, noise and air pollution and possible local climate change.
“We understood that the desalination plant was intended to address the water supply needs of Ilembe municipality, especially the Ballito area. However, the proposed location of this plant is within the Ethekwini metro area, which means that not only will there be no respite for the affected communities’ service delivery problems that are already at breaking point but more likely set to worsen,” said Rawheath.
An information pamphlet from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), appointed by Umgeni Water as independent environmental assessment practitioner (EAP) outlines the development plans. The intake of the plant will be 389Ml a day, producing 150Ml of permeate water and releasing 239Ml of brine into the sea daily. Brine will be discharged through a tunnel under the M4, to a diffuser located about 350m offshore. The proposed 80 000m2 facility, inland of the M4 about 200 metres from the sea, would have a life span of 25 years. Additional plant modules would then be added at five year intervals to match demand.
King Shaka Estates resident Les March said he would be sad to see the area’s natural beauty ruined.
“I bought my home here for the view. I do not want to look at a huge plant instead,” he said.
Jeeva Pillay from the Tongaat Civic Association agreed.
“We like our sleepy village just the way it is. There has been no consultation with residents thus far.”
Dolphin Coast Conservancy chairperson Di Jones said she understands the residents’ views but she supports the plant.
“Our rivers and dams are polluted and there is not enough water for future needs, so what to do? This form of providing water is hugely expensive but is used successfully in many countries where potable water is scarce, like Dubai, Singapore, parts of Australia and so on. We are lucky that we will be able to draw on their experience and perhaps some of the many possible pitfalls can be avoided.”
A CSIR official confirmed that the Draft Scoping Report is in its final stages and should be released for public comment within the next month.
Umgeni Water corporate stakeholder manager Shami Harichunder was asked to provide clarification on the proposed desalination plant and resident’s fears. He had not responded at the time of going to press.
