This study, the Table Mountain Group Aquifer Feasibility Study and Pilot Project, focuses on the groundwater potential of the Table Mountain Group Aquifer and is one of several investigations launched by the City of Cape Town in support of its objective of meeting the long-term water demands of the city.
The goal of this five-year project is to determine the feasibility of using the Table Mountain Group (TMG) Aquifer as a water source to augment Cape Town's water supply. This will be undertaken by the Table Mountain Group Aquifer Alliance during the period 2002 to 2007. The study is being designed to comply with robust scientific and environmental protocols and will be subject to professional and public review for its entire duration.
The study consists of two components, a feasiblity study and pilot project, the objectives of which are summarised below.
The specific objectives of the Feasibility Study are to:
Identify locations for a pilot drilling programme to abstract water in viable quantities from the TMG aquifer (sites will be selected according to hydrogeological, ecological, social, legal and logistical criteria).If the water yielded by the exploration boreholes is of appropriate quality and quantity, subject to the required process in terms of the Environmental Conservation Act, a full-scale trial borehole will be established at the most favourable location in terms of monitoring and infrastructural requirements and tested, subject to continuous monitoring. Each phase of the project will be assessed before a decision is taken to embark on the next one.
The objectives of the Pilot Project are to: