Indiscriminate borehole drilling is undermining the future water supply, food security and economic survival of South Africa’s small towns.
With several small tons running out of the water, there have been many borehole drilling projects initiated by municipalities. However, where these are conducted without the professional input of a qualified geohydrologist, there is the danger that the water supply is not sustainable, said Gert Nel, partner and principal geohydrologist at SRK Consulting.
Without proper scientific planning and management, Nel said boreholes can deplete the underground aquifers, leaving local residents and businesses vulnerable. Speaking after the recent Groundwater Conference in Port Elizabeth, he said the solution is to better control groundwater use and manage the expectations of the water users in these towns. Hosted by the Groundwater Division (GWD) of the Geogical Society of South Africa (GSSA), the conference focused on groundwater's potential as a sustainable water supply source.
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