Ballito desalination plan assessed

ASSESSMENTS of Ballito’s desalination project – to gauge its environmental impact – are currently under way, say authorities.

The Mercury reported on the R600 million project – being built with a Japanese company – in November.

Desalination involves the removal of salt from sea water to make it safe for consumption by humans.

eThekwini municipal spokesperson Tozi Mthethwa told The Mercury last week the project was a long-term intervention to address water shortages.

“The investigation into the viability of the project is under way. An environmental impact assessment process will have to be undertaken to determine the impacts.”

eThekwini, as was reported last year, signed a memorandum of agreement with Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organisation (Nedo) – represented by executive director Munehiko Tsuchiya – to build the plant.

Mayor Zandile Gumede said eThekwini was the first African municipality that had been identified by the company to participate in the pilot project. “We need to explore a range of initiatives to save water, use water sparingly and work with our international partners to find alternative sources of water,” she said.

South Africa had been in the grip of one of the worst droughts in decades with 2015 being the driest year on record since 1921, she added.

“This has impacted on local dam storage levels, thus putting pressure on the water supply system. Also, the national energy grid is under strain. Therefore, it is essential for efficient, sustainable and environmentally friendly technologies to be explored.”

Tsuchiya said: “Water shortages are a global concern therefore we will continue to support our partners, the eThekwini Municipality in their quest to find the best available practice to resolve water scarcity.”