Proposed Brine Treatment Works at Tutuka Power Station, Mpumalanga
Eskom is proposing to construct additional infrastructure at the existing Tutuka Power Station, approximately 22 km north east of Standerton, Mpumalanga for the treatment of groundwater and wastewater. The treatment facilities would consist of two components; namely a brine (referred to hereinafter as reject) concentration plant and a groundwater wastewater treatment works (WWTW). This proposed project triggers a number of listed activities in terms of National Environmental Management Act (No. 107 of 1998)(NEMA) and National Environmental Management: Waste Act (No. 59 of 2008) and accordingly requires environmental authorisation and a waste management licence from DEA via the EIA process outlined in Regulation 385 of NEMA. Aurecon has been appointed to undertake the required environmental authorisation and licencing processes on Eskom’s behalf.
Current Project Phase
The Final EIAR has been completed, and all I&AP comments have been incorporated into the report, the document will be submitted to DEA, who must, within 60 days, do one of the following: If the report is accepted, DEA must within 45 days: (a) Grant authorisation in respect of all or part of the activity applied for; or (b) Refuse authorisation in respect of all or part of the activity. Once DEA have made their decision on the proposed project, all registered I&APs on the project database will be notified of the outcome of the decision within ten calendar days of the Environmental Authorisation having been issued. Should anyone (a member of public, registered I&AP or the Applicant) wish to appeal DEA’s decision, a Notice of Intention to Appeal in terms of Section 62 of NEMA must be lodged with the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs within 10 calendar days of the I&AP being notified. As noted previously a 21 day comment period on the Final EIAR will also be given. However any comments received will not be included in a CRR and will instead be collated and forwarded directly to DEA. Copies of the Final EIAR can be viewed at Thuthukani Public Library in Thuthukani, Standerton Public Library in Standerton, the security centre at Tutuka Power Station and can be downloaded below as well as on Eskom’s website (www.eskom.co.za/eia) until 14 September 2010. Any comments received will not be included in a Comments and Response Report and will instead be collates and forwarded directly to DEA. If you would like to comment on the Final EIAR, please submit your comments on or before 14 September 2010 to: PO Box 494, Cape Town, 8000 Tel: (021) 481 2501; Fax: (021) 424 5588 Email: louise.corbett@af.aurecongroup.com Att: Karen Shippey (Public Participation Office) or Louise Corbett / Brett Lawson (Technical Queries)