UPDATE: ‘Desalination brine won’t be toxic’

UMGENI Water Amanzi has refuted claims that brine pumped back into the sea from the proposed Illovo desalination plant will be toxic.

There is opposition to the proposed plans to build the desalination plant on the banks of the Illovo River, using sea water reverse osmosis (SWRO) technology.

It is proposed the main intake pipe be situated in Winklespruit and sea water will be pumped in from about a kilometre out to sea to the plant situated close to Mother of Peace. About 55% of the treated water will be used for consumption, while the remaining 45% of water, known as brine, will be pumped back out to sea.

“It is important that matters are put in their proper and correct perspective in order to prevent the possibility of any misunderstanding or confusion occurring as a result of certain statements that are attributed to Illovo Business Park Manager, Ken Lombard (in the Sun’s report ‘Desalination plan leaves a sour taste‘, dated 24 June),” said Umgeni Water corporate stakeholder manager, Shami Harichunder.

Small quantities of cleaning solution will be added to the water when it is discharged, but this is similar to and will have a similar toxicity to baby’s toothpaste

“Brine is essentially hyper saline water, meaning it is seawater with twice the amount of salt and other standard sea minerals. There is no scientific evidence that brine is in its totality or remotely toxic. If hypothetically it is toxic then this would mean all seawater is toxic. Small quantities of cleaning solution will be added to the water when it is discharged, but this is similar to and will have a similar toxicity to baby’s toothpaste.”

There were also fears that the Illovo River estuary, which has finally recovered since the closure of the sugar mill 10 years ago, will once again be destroyed by the plant.

“There are no plans to construct a desalination plant within the estuary,” said Harichunder. “The intention is to construct the plant – if it is approved as an option – on the banks of the Illovu River away from the estuary. There will also be no discharges from the plant into the estuary and it is therefore difficult to fathom how the estuary would be destroyed.”

Lombard also expressed doubt the plant will offer much employment for local people. “During construction, if the plant is approved, an estimated 180 people, including locals are expected to be employed on site. On completion of the project and when fully commissioned, an estimated 40 people would be required to operate the plant,” said Harichunder.

Umgeni Water is considering the possibility of two desalination plants, one in the north of eThekwini and the other in the south, as options to augment water resources in the future. Each scheme will be able to produce 150 mega-litres of potable water per day. These desalination plants are being considered among other options that include conventional water schemes such as dams, reservoirs and water treatment plants.

The proposed desalination plant in the north of eThekwini may not come to fruition because the Lower Thukela Bulk Water Supply Scheme in Mandini has already been constructed to augment supply, the wall at Hazelmere Dam is being raised to increase capacity and the uMkhomazi Water Project is the preferred long-term supply option to augment water resources in the area.

“In the south, the requirement for water is continuously increasing and it is projected that demand will exceed capacity of supply systems in about five years. Hence, additional water will be required. Once a scheme is constructed, demand for water in that region will be met for about 30 years,” said Harichunder.

“Umgeni Water is currently considering the augmentation options available for the south of eThekwini and Ugu. There are essentially two options available for long-term water supply on the South Coast – a desalination plant on the banks of the Illovu River, or the Lower uMkhomazi Bulk Water Supply Scheme. A decision on which option to implement will be informed by cost and other factors, including environmental impacts.”

The proposed Illovo desalination plant is at a stage where public participation and engagement in terms of National Environment Act and environment impact assessment (EIA) has been completed.

“The cost of establishing a desalination plant against the cost of establishing a conventional scheme is expected to be completed by Umgeni Water in about three months,” said Harichunder. “In the meantime, the EIA for the proposed project has been submitted to the Department of Environmental Affairs for a decision on whether to issue approval or not for a desalination plant to be constructed on the site.

It is difficult to say precisely when a final decision will be made by Umgeni Water on whether to opt for a desalination or conventional plant. Once that decision has been made, it will be communicated to the media.”

 

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