[CS] Water Supply - South Africa

What and where is South Africa?

A developing country in Southern Africa

What are South Africa’s main sources of water?

1) Dams

2) Wells

3) Desalination

[Dams] What is the process of South Africa collecting & distributing water with dams?

1. During monsoon seasons, rainwater is collected in dams

2. The collected water is stored behind dam walls in a reservoir

3. Water is transferred from dams to other regions via inter-basin transfer schemes

4. An important dam in the country is Vaal Dam and it supplies water to the Gauteng region

5. Once transferred, water is treated at water treatment plants to make it safe for consumption

6. Water gets distributed to households and industries via pipelines

[Wells] What is the process of South Africa collecting & distributing water with wells?

1. Wells are drilled into areas where groundwater can be accessed

2. Water is extracted from wells using pumps

3. An essential well is in the semi-desert region of Great Karoo, alleviating the lack of surface water

4. Groundwater may be treated in water treatment plants to ensure safety

5. Water is distributed to industries & households via pipelines

[Desalination] What is the process of South Africa collecting & distributing water via desalination?

1. Seawater is pumped into a desalination plant

2. The seawater undergoes pre-treatment to remove large particles or impurities

3. Desalination - Water udergoes reverse osmosis, where high pressure removes salt & smaller impurities

4. After desalination, remineralisation may take place to improve taste & quality

5. It is stored in tanks to keep the quality consistent

6. The treated water is distributed to households & industries via pipelines

7. An example is the Mossel Bay Desalination Plant in Western Cape - it has the max. capacity to produce 15 million litres of water daily