South Africa needs to consider water supply and demand

By bne IntelliNews January 8, 2010
South Africaneeds to consider water supply and demand when planning infrastructure, a WaterResources Group report said. The group is led by McKinsey and the WB andincludes large, international, corporate players. By 2030, demand will outstripsupply by 17.7%, although high economic growth and climate change could almostdouble the gap, Business Day reported. Renewable technologies that reduceconsumptive water use are the best options for sustainable water-resourcemanagement. Water decisions need to consider the entire economy rather thanindividual sectors, the report said. Coal will become the main mining wateruser, using 180mn cubic metres by 2030. Dry-cooled, coal-fired power plantsnear most of the coal beds may need water transferred from other regions, sincetheir local supply is insufficient.

Related Articles

South Africas Exxaro mulls firing striking coal miners.

South African company Exxaro Resources said one of the options it currently considers is dismissing striking coal mine workers who fail to return to work in the week of March 25, fin24 reported ... more

South Africas Telkom says there is no decision to lay off 13,000 employees.

South Africas telecommunication operator Telkom said that it has not made a decision on retrenching 13,000 employees, or more than half of its staff, TechCentral reported quoting a company ... more

BP, Masana Petroleum Solutions sell LPG business in South Africa.

Oryx Energies, a major independent provider of oil and gas products and services in Africa, has agreed to buy the South African liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) distribution businesses of BP and ... more

Dismiss