NDM Water Master Plan

NDM Water Master Plan

Chapter 1

1  INTRODUCTION

1.1  Background

The background pertaining to the Nkangala District Municipality (NDM) will be discussed below by indicating the major points of interest and concern only. The Integrated Development Plan (IDP) of the NDM must be read in conjunction with this document. Relevant information will be given in abbreviated format and the interested reader is referred to the relevant source documents for more detail.

1.1.1  Location and Regional Perspective

The NDM is one of three district municipalities in the Mpumalanga Province (Map 1). It covers an area of approximately 17 000 km2 and is located in the north-western corner of the Mpumalanga Province and borders on Gauteng Province to the west, Limpopo Province to the north, the Gert Sibande District Municipality (GSDM) to the south, and the Ehlanzeni District Municipality (EDM) to the east.

Its location has several implications of which the most important is that it is closely situated to Gauteng Province, the economic hub of the Republic of South Africa (RSA). This proximity impacts on the migration patterns and economic spin-offs which will be discussed in more detail below. Other implications will be discussed below looking at the physical and demographical perspectives.

1.1.2  Water Services Authority Perspective

The NDM comprises six local municipalities and the Mdala District Management Area (DMA), i.e.:

Table 1.1: List of Local Municipalities in the NDM

Municipality / Map No. / Demarcation No. / Area (Km2) / Number of Wards
Delmas / 2 / MP311 / 1,567.69 / 8
Emalahleni / 3 / MP312 / 2,677.67 / 32
Steve Tshwete / 4 / MP313 / 3,976.42 / 24
Emakhazeni / 5 / MP314 / 4,735.58 / 7
Thembisile / 6 / MP315 / 2,384.29 / 30
Dr JS Moroka / 7 / MP316 / 1,416.42 / 30
NDM / 1 / DC31 / 16,758.07 / 131

The District Municipalities in Mpumalanga were, up to effective implementation of division of powers and functions for water services on 1 July 2003, the Water Services Authorities (WSA). In July 2003 the Local Municipalities were authorized to be the WSA's in the Mpumalanga Province.

All of the local municipalities within the NDM are Category B municipalities. Applicable legislation pertaining to the functioning as a WSA is as follows:

Table 1.2: Applicable legislation for water services

Description / Year / Main concern /
The Constitution of RSA / 1996 / ·  Vests executive authority for water services in local government
·  Everyone has the right to sufficient water
·  Everyone has the right to a healthy environment
Municipal Structures Act / 1998 / ·  Defines and establishes municipalities
·  Gives powers and functions to WSA's
Municipal Systems Act / 2000 / ·  Internal administration of municipalities, e.g. Guidelines for making bylaws; establishment of IDP's.
·  Mechanism of delivery ~ Section 78
Municipal Finance Management Act / 2003 / ·  Financial affairs of municipalities e.g. budgeting and procurement
Division of Revenue Act / Annually / ·  Equitable division of nationally raised revenue, e.g. national / provincial / local and MIG
Water Service Act / 1997 / ·  Preparation of WSDP
·  Provision of water and sanitation services
·  Basic water and sanitation services
National Water Act / 1998 / ·  Protection and development of water sources

The NDM has the responsibility to integrate development planning for the area as a whole, which includes for a framework for IDP's. The following table provides an overview of applicable powers and functions for the issues pertaining to this WMP:

Table 1.3: Powers and Functions of the Municipalities

Powers and Functions / Delmas / Dr JS Moroka / Emalahleni / Emakhazeni / Steve Tshwete / Thembisile /
Integrated development planning for the District municipality as a whole, including a framework for integrated development plans of all municipalities in the area of the District municipality. / NDM
Potable water supply systems. / Delmas / Dr JS Moroka / Emalahleni / Emakhazeni / Steve Tshwete / Thembisile
Domestic waste-water and sewage disposal systems. / Delmas / Dr JS Moroka / Emalahleni / Emakhazeni / Steve Tshwete / Thembisile
Municipal environmental health services. / NDM (with effect from 1 July 2004 only)
Municipal public works relating to any of the above functions or any other functions assigned to this District municipality. / Delmas / Dr JS Moroka / Emalahleni / Emakhazeni / Steve Tshwete / Thembisile
Physical Planning / Delmas / NDM / Emalahleni / NDM / Steve Tshwete / NDM
The receipt, allocation and if applicable, the distribution of grants made to the District municipality. / NDM
The imposition and collection of taxes, levies and duties as related to the above functions or as may be assigned to the municipality in terms of national legislation. / NDM

A total of 131 wards have been established and community development workers have been introduced in the NDM as indicated in the table below:

Table 1.4: Wards, Committees and Community Development Workers

Municipality / No. of Wards / No. of ward committees launched and functional / Number of CDW's /
Delmas / 8 / 8 / 8
Dr JS Moroka / 30 / 30 / 34
Emalahleni / 32 / 32 / 24
Emakhazeni / 7 / 7 / 10
Steve Tshwete / 24 / 24 / 18
Thembisile / 30 / 30 / 31
NDM / 131 / 131 / 125

While most of the Wasp’s supply water services only within their boundaries, the situation for Dr JS Moroka and Thembisile Elm’s are much more intricate and needs further elaboration. A huge regional scheme exists, spanning over several entities, i.e.:

·  Four WSA's – Kungwini LM, Thembisile LM, Dr JS Moroka LM

·  Five local municipalities – Kungwini LM, Thembisile LM, Dr JS Moroka LM, Greater Groblersdal LM, Greater Marble Hall LM

·  Three district municipalities – Metsweding DM, Nkangala DM, Sekhukhune DM

·  Three provinces – Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo

Furthermore, Ikangala Water (IW) was established on 27 February 1998 to fulfil the regional water supply function in the Western Highveld Region (WHR), which covers the Thembisile and Dr JS Moroka Elm’s and cross-border areas into Kungwini and Sekhukhune Dam’s. This Water Board has, however, not been effective in fulfilling its purposes.

During December 2006 DWAF experienced a number of problems in the Western Highveld Region. Early in January 2007 Rand Water and Magalies Water were approached by DWAF to submit first order estimates, at very short notice, for the operation and maintenance of the Weltevrede WTW and the Bronkhorstpruit WTW. Before the due date expired DWAF requested both water boards to expand the proposals to include the entire Western Highveld Region. A briefing session with DWAF indicated that only water (not sewage) infrastructure should be considered. Subsequent to the submission DWAF decided to appoint Magalies Water for the Northern portion of the Western Highveld Region i.e. the area supplied by Weltevreden WTW. Rand Water was appointed for the Southern part of the area i.e. the area supplied by Bronkhorstspruit WTW. Soon after the appointment DWAF arranged a workshop where the LM's were informed of the decision of DWAF to involve Rand Water and Magalies Water in the O&M of the Western Highveld Region. DWAF provided seed funding to the water boards for O&M expensed and implementing short term interventions.

Additionally, a coordination forum was established to prioritise and coordinate activities (NDM, 2007: 115):

The NDM has taken its leadership and co-ordination role to champion the NDM Water Services Collaboration Forum which consist of Sector Departments (including DWAF, DoH, DME, DALA and DLGH), SALGA, Organised Water users (including ESKOM, mines, Irrigation Boards and Water Boards) and Water Services Authorities (Local Municipalities) within the District. This is the platform where integrated water sector planning take place taking into account the WSDP's of the WSA’s to inform the IDP process.

1.1.3  Physical Perspective

1.1.3.1  Topography

Topographically the NDM rises from west to east and from north to south (See Map 9). The southern boundary of the NDM corresponds generally to the watershed of the Olifants River catchments area, draining to the north. The north-western portion at Dr JS Moroka LM are the lowest at 800 – 900 m.a.m.s.l. while the watershed at Emakhazeni LM in the east rises to elevations in excess of 1700 m.a.m.s.l. The NDM area is high lying with altitudes at 1700 m.a.m.s.l. at the south and at Middelburg it drops to 1500 m.a.m.s.l. These areas are characterised by gently rolling hills. In the Delmas LM topography is relative flat, and the average height is +/- 1 580m above sea level.

1.1.3.2  Climate

The rainfall (see Map 10) occurs mainly in summer varying between 500 to 800 mm per year. The higher rainfall occurring on the higher lying eastern portions of the Upper Olifants WMA area (near Belfast). The peak rainfall months are January and February and rainfall occurs generally as thunderstorms. Under normal rainfall season all the rivers has a strong inflow through the study area, which has a high positive impact on the dam levels.

The average rainfall for the Elands River area in the far western Nkomati WMA (corresponding to the far eastern portions of the NDM) varies between 750 – 1050 mm/a, while the average evaporation is 1400 mm/a.

The mean annual gross evaporation (as measured by Symons pan) ranges from 1300 mm in the east to 1900 mm in the west.

The western portions are hotter with summer temperatures peaking at more than 35 oC at Siyabuswa in Dr JS Moroka LM and the eastern portions cooler averaging at 25 oC at Belfast in Emakhazeni LM. Winter temperatures are generally above freezing point, but colder spells at the higher lying portions do occur in the Belfast region.

1.1.3.3  Land use and nature conservation

A major issue within the Dr JS Moroka and Thembisile municipalities is the lack of land rights for the greater part of the community. Tenure upgrading is needed, but only seven towns within the Thembisile LM and only two within the Dr JS Moroka LM have been proclaimed as townships, also impacting on the raising of income through rates and taxes.

Furthermore the Land Claims issue as depicted by the IDP magnifies the security risk of banks, business, investors and private individuals (2007, NDM: 18):

Land: The NDM has compiled a land audit report (LAR), which starts to point to development patterns, trends, and land reform issues in the District. The LAR depicts several issues relating to land in the District. Some of the aspects could have a negative contribution towards the growth of the region’s economy and employment creation. In terms of the study undertaken which is based in the information as of June 2006 the land restitution progress is depicted in figure 5. In general, the land reform process needs to be fast-tracked.

Figure 1.1: Land restitution progress in the NDM

Figure 1.2: State land and land claims

It is evident in the figure that most land in Thembisile and Dr JS Moroka are dominated by registered state land.

Other trends include the following (2007, NDM: 20):

The status of land use management mechanisms varies between a total lack (i.e. Dr JS Moroka) and fully integrated LUMS (i.e. Steve Tshwete). The following trends can be recorded:

§  Change from communal land to full title in the former homeland areas

§  Pressure on agricultural land for eco-tourism related recreation and leisure activities

§  Increase on illegal and informal activities on agricultural land

§  Council land is increasingly allocated for small scale farming and urban agriculture, particularly in urban areas.

§  A need for higher density residential zonings has been identified in certain urban areas, with a trend for rezoning from ‘residential 1’ and ‘residential 2’.

The IDP 07/08 gives an overview of a State of the Environment Report (SoER) for the NDM that has been developed. Land use and nature conservation can be described in terms of two WMA's, i.e. the Olifants WMA and the Nkomati WMA. Four sub-water management areas reside within the Nkangala District. The % of the LM situated inside each sub-WMA is indicated below:

Table 1.5: Coverage of Water Management Areas

Local Municipality / Sub-WMA
Upper-Olifants / Middle-Olifants / Crocodile / Komati West
Delmas LM / 100%
Emalahleni LM / 100%
Steve Tshwete LM / 100%
Emakhazeni LM / 40% / 40% / 20%
Thembisile LM / 20% / 80%
Dr JS Moroka LM / 100%

The following information was extracted from the Reference Framework document compiled by DWAF (2006, DWAF: 27):

The Olifants WMA:

The Upper Olifants and Wilge River catchments are dominated by the False Grassveld, which occurs at altitudes ranging from 1500 – 1700 m above sea level and rainfall from 600 – 800 mm per annum. Under these conditions combined with regular burning the veld is a particular sour wiry grassveld.

Dryland and irrigated cultivation are other important land uses in the Upper Olifants catchments, with many areas in the southern and central parts producing high yields of maize. Irrigation of diverse crops takes place in various parts of the catchments. Intensive farming in the form of piggeries and cattle feedlots are also scattered throughout the catchments. The largest portion of the ground in Dr JS Moroka and Thembisile LM's belongs to the State and/or tribal authorities, which is used by the communities for general grazing for their animals.

Some of the nature conservation areas include the following:

·  The Upper Olifants River, upstream of Loskop Dam, contains the gorge area which has scenic qualities and numerous fish populations.

·  The Steelpoort River, although having a high sediment load, has several flow dependent fish species.

·  The Witbank Nature Reserve was originally established as a recreation resort and was proclaimed as a nature reserve by the then Administrator of Transvaal Province on the recommendation of the Witbank City Council during 1997. The reserve comprises of two clearly distinguishable areas, namely the wooded area along the Olifants River and the more Highveld grassland area.