Part 2 - Eskom

ENVIRONMENTAL SCOPING REPORT FOR THE PROPOSED 40MW OPEN CYCLE GAS TURBINE POWER
PLANT IN THE AMERSFOORT AREA, MPUMALANGA
Bohlweki-SSI Environmental
־ The poor maintenance of the road, both in the catchment of the wetland,
which could introduce sediments into the wetland through stormwater washoff
of eroded material, or within the wetland, which could lead to erosion of
the wetland in the vicinity of the road.
• Impacts associated with polluted runoff water
Runoff water, including stormwater that may be polluted could run off the site and
into nearby drainage lines. This applies especially to runoff water from any areas
in which fuel or hydrocarbons are stored, other wastewater storage areas, or from
sewage treatment areas. If this polluted runoff were to reach and infiltrate any
nearby wetland it could result in a degradation of water quality and the pollution
of downstream parts of the drainage system and even groundwater. This
scenario would apply especially in the case of an accidental spillage or failure of
lined storage dams causing seepage into the ground from the dam.
The level of potential risk would be dependent upon the proximity of the plant to
surface water resources, the interaction between groundwater and surface water
features (i.e. whether there were any areas of groundwater discharge) and the
nature and level of mitigation measures instituted at the plant. It is however
expected that design and maintenance controls that could be implemented at the
plant would be able to significantly limit the risk of this type of impact from
occurring.
• Water treatment infrastructure
The water treatment infrastructure associated with the plant may result in the
discharge of ‘grey’ water into nearby drainage systems. Should treated water
need to be discharged into nearby drainage systems, this may alter the hydrology
and hydromorpholgy of the drainage line if the discharge was permanent.
However in line with Eskom’s no discharge policy, no water is expected to be
discharged from the plant and associated infrastructure into the adjacent
environment from water treatment infrastructure.
• Impacts related to power lines
Impacts on water resources may result during the operational phase of the power
line through poor operational and servitude management practices. These would
relate mainly to residual impacts that arose during the construction phase, as well
as due to the incorrect rehabilitation of construction-related access. Certain
operational activities such as the clearing of the servitude through the use of
herbicides may also pollute nearby watercourses if not properly undertaken.
Operational access for vehicles to inspect the servitude and lines may impact
watercourses and other wetlands if existing access roads/routes are not utilised.
8.6.5. Decommissioning Impacts
The potential impacts on wetlands related to the decommissioning of the plant and
proposed infrastructure are similar in many aspects to construction-related impacts, if
infrastructure such as buildings is physically removed.
E02.JNB.000308
ESKOM HOLDINGS LIMITED
01
66
08/10/2009