Table Mountain Group Aquifer Feasibility Study and Pilot Project
The City of Cape Town is conducting a feasibility study to assess the potential for possible future augmentation of its water supplies with groundwater from a deep-lying geological structure called the Table Mountain Group (TMG) Aquifer. The area under consideration lies between Tulbagh and Kleinmond. This groundwater project is one of several potential supply strategies recommended by Integrated Water Resource Planning and Bulk Water Supply studies undertaken by the City between 1999 and 2001.
Notice is given in terms of Regulation 4(6) of the regulations published in Government Gazette Notice No. R1183 under Section 26 of the Environment Conservation Act (No 73 of 1989) of the application for authorisation of activities 1(d), 2(c) and 2(e). This authorisation is sought in order to allow the drilling and pump-testing of exploratory boreholes to determine the quantity and quality of groundwater in the TMG Aquifer. No water will be abstracted for bulk supply. The City of Cape Town has appointed the TMG Aquifer Alliance to undertake the study and the requisite environmental process towards authorisation of the Exploratory Phase of this Feasibility Study and Pilot Project. Further project information is available on the website: www.tmg-aquifer.co.za
Current Project Phase
The Final Scoping Report was submitted to the environmental authorities at the beginning of December 2004.The Record of Decision was issued 18 May 2005. An appeal was lodged against this decision and an Appeal Record of Decision was issued on 22 February 2006. The Executive Summary of the Final Scoping Report has been distributed to all registered I&APs. The report has also been made available on the project website (www.tmg-aquifer.co.za) and in several public libraries. A Record of Decision (RoD) was issued by the authorities on 18 May 2005 giving authorisation for the exploratory drilling to take place. The appeal lodged against the 18 May 2005 authorisation was adjudicated by the Provincial Minister of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning and the project received authorisation to continue with Exploratory Drilling on the 22 February 2006. The borehole siting can now be finalised and a tender for the drilling contract issued.