These allocation decisions are becoming more and more crucial against the backdrop of an impending water crisis, which makes transparency and accountability in the water sector even more important. However, there is a serious lack of transparency regarding the allocation of water, water management plans and water licences in South Africa.
South Africa’s electricity utility is the country’s only strategic water user. This means that Eskom gets first priority in water use come hell or high water.
Ironically, burning coal to produce electricity is an incredibly water intensive process, with a number of serious implications for both water quantity and quality. In one second, Eskom uses the same amount of water as a single person would use within one year, based on access to the minimum 25 litres of water per day. This means that Eskom’s new coal-fired power stations will use substantial amounts of water, putting South Africa’s water resources at risk, and increasing the potential for future conflicts over water.
There are very effective alternatives to coal, but there are no alternatives to water.
Download the report here: Water Hungry Coal: Burning South Africa’s water to produce electricity