Author(s): B. Barta

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Keywords: Inter-basin transfer; Vaal River System; Operation; Environmental constraints

Abstract: Semi-arid hydrological conditions, together with the strife to develop the natural resources and the needs of population for water, initiated the early augmentation of large inter-basin water transfers in South Africa. There are twenty-six significant inter-basin water transfers presently in existence in South Africa. The five largest schemes have an annual combined carrying capacity of 2500 million cubic metres of raw and potable water supplied from the donor (or source) into the recipient river system. The most important transfer scheme is the Vaal River system providing water for some 12million people, and supporting the economic sector of the Gauteng Metropolitan Complex which generates some 40 percent of the GNP. The paper discusses the management approaches, methods of operation and environmental constraints of the large inter-basin water transfer schemes in South Africa.

DOI:

Year: 2001