Koeberg Power Station near Melkbos. Photo: Sam Clark Koeberg Power Station near Melkbos. Photo: Sam Clark
A temporary groundwater desalination plant opened at Koeberg Nuclear Power Station yesterday, which it will use to run operations.
The desalination plant will mean the utility will be independent from the City's water supply.
Koeberg power station project manager Velaphi Ntuli said he was satisfied by the project.
It could have taken up to five years to complete, but this particular project took less than a year, Ntuli said.
He said the plant is currently pumping out desalinated groundwater, which could potentially be distributed to the City by the end of the week.
“The (groundwater) desalination plant is part of Koeberg’s three-pronged water management strategy to address the current water shortages, while ensuring that the plant is able to provide safe and sustainable electricity.
"This strategy includes reducing the power stations water usage, keeping adequate on-site water storage and looking at alternative water supplies (ground and sea-water).
“This equates to the City of Cape Town supplying 10.5kl of water to approximately 11 000 houses a month.
"Our water tanks are kept full to cater for emergencies,” added Ntuli.
Safety evaluation manager Mahesh Valaitham said they were still in negotiations with the City ahead of a seawater desalination plant.
Chemistry manager Mandisi Stwayi said the plant produces over 920kl of water a day.
Stwayi said before the underground water can be used, it has to go through chemical tests, rejecting dirty water and cleaning the rest to make it usable.