PHASE 1 HERITAGE IMPACT ASSESSMENT (HIA) FOR THE PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE RAND WATER 06, B17/B18 & B16 PIPELINES AND ASSOCIATED INFRASTRUCTURES.

Rand Water is proposing the construction and maintenance of the Rand Water O6, B17/18
and B16 pipelines with its associated structures. The O6 pipeline will extent from the Palmiet
Pumping station to Klipfontein, covering 16 km approximate. The O6 pipeline forms part of
several projects intended to augment the water supply to the Palmiet Pumping Station
Supply System. The internal diameter of the O6 pipeline will range between 1800mm to
2100mm.
The B17/B18 pipelines are aimed at supplying the projected water demands at the
Zuikerbosch pumping station to the Palmiet Pumping station. The B17/B18 pipelines will have
a diameter of 2300mm with a total length of 46km, this project will also incorporate the
construction and maintenance of the remainder of Rand Water B16 pipeline from
Zuikerbosch pumping station to Slangfontein with a diameter of 2100mm and a total length
of 18km.
The proposed O6, B17/B18 and B16 pipeline must comply with the requirements stipulated in
the National Heritage Resources Act, 1999 (Act 25 of 1999) (NHRA) Section 38 of NHRA,
subject to the provisions of subsections (3) to (10), in conjunction with the environmental
legislation that requires public participation as part of an application for authorisation or
approval; namely the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA, Act No. 107 of
1998). The Projects have previously been issued with HIA’s RoD’s but have expired, hence the
re-application. In terms of NEMA Authorisations, the project’s Environmental Authorisations
are still valid.
The new B16 pipe operates in parallel with the existing B8 pipe and that the B9 and B18
Slangfontein link reduces flow or ceases to operate for the short term. The B9//B18 pipes
remain as a backup supply in times when either sections of or entire lengths of the B16 or B8
are out of commission for repairs. As the B16 runs out of capacity at a future point, the
B9//B18 can again supply water regularly to Mapleton from the Palmiet system. It is likely that
the Palmiet B17 will be augmented before the B16 is duplicated, so this will be the logical role
of the B9/B18. These pipelines are aimed at supplying the projected water demands. The
proposed pipelines will be constructed within the jurisdictions of the following municipalities:
Emfuleni Local Municipality, Ekurhuleni Local Municipality and Midvaal Local
Municipality, Gauteng Province.
Province(s): Gauteng