Water Resources Consultants

Possible impacts associated with harvesting of river sand for the construction of water supply pipelines from the Thune Dam to beneficiary villages were assessed. Specific tasks undertaken included situational analysis of the proposed river sand harvesting sites including biophysical and socio economic baseline environment, archaeological assessment and a review of policies and legislative frameworks that have a bearing on the project. Relevant stakeholders including residents of areas close to the proposed sites, land board and the department of mines we also consulted. The study culminated with identification of impacts, proposed mitigation measures to ameliorate the negative impacts and enhance positive ones. The study also produced an environmental management plan that will serve as a framework for the implementation of the mitigation measures during construction and rehabilitation phases of the river sand harvesting sites.

Department of Water Affairs, Botswana
Mr E. Nkutlwang & Ms D. Isoa,
Tel: +267 3612840

This project aims to abstract an annual volume of 495 million cubic meters (MCM) of water from the Chobe & Zambezi River at Kazungula. WRC conducted specialist studies for the project which entailed stakeholder consultations, socio economic study, land use impact studies, ecological impact assessment, archaeological impact assessment, hydrological impact assessment and a desktop groundwater availability assessment were conducted as part of the EIA study to understand environmental variables that might impact or be impacted by the proposed project. The deliverables of the EIA study included an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), Archaeological Impact Assessment (AIA) and an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) entailing Mitigation and Monitoring Plans. The EMP also contains Environmental Guidelines for the construction, operation and decommissioning phases of the proposed project.

Department of Water Affairs, Botswana
Mr. O. Dikgomo,
Tel: +267 3607335

The project components included construction of 34 m high dam wall with a length of 1.7 km, outlet pipe works, dam spillway, access roads to the dam wall, realignment of existing road, borrow pits and quarry site. WRC inputs included;

• Conducting and audit of the previously completed EIA and prepared an Construction Environmental Management Plan to be complied with during construction
•  Providing environmental induction/training/awareness to all site staff including health and safety training
• Compilation of  checklists of environmental specifications to be adhered to during the construction period as a tool for daily compliance monitoring
• Undertook onsite monitoring to check compliance with the construction environmental management plan
• Compilation of monthly environmental compliance reports including level of compliance
• Developed environmental flow release requirements for maintenance of downstream ecosystems
• Advised on the rectification of any pollution, contamination or damage to the project site, rights of way and adjacent land, as required

WRC carried out a review of the EIA which was carried by the Ministry of Agriculture for the proposed Zambezi Integrated Agro Commercial Project in Pandamatenga. Recommendations were made on how to rectify the indentified defied gaps within the EIA.

Ministry of Agriculture, Botswana:
Mr. N. Fitt / K. Wah
Tel: +267 3907057

The project undertook an EIA for a proposed temporary disused radioactive sources (used in mining, environmental applications and medical facilities) storage facility near Pilikwe Village in the Central District. The following key studies were undertaken to assess the potential impacts of the project;

• Radiological impact assessment
• Review the designs of the proposed facility to assess if it was fit for purpose (with input from the International Atomic Energy Agency)
• Archaeological impact assessment
• Hydrological study to assess potential run off from the site and propose appropriate designs for mitigation
• Liaise  with key stakeholders, affected parties and relevant government departments on issues relating to the proposed development to ensure compliance to existing policies, guidelines, regulations and accommodate public views

Department of Radiation Protection, Botswana
Mr. K. Phutietsile,
Tel: +267 3957013

The goal of the study was to identify the principal (main) environmental impacts and aspects of concern associated with the proposed Mosetse dam and to propose mitigation measures to reduce the negative impacts, and enhance the positive ones. Specific tasks undertaken were;

• Ecological impact assessment to assess the potential impact of dam particularly the breeding success of Flamingos which breed on the Sua Pans downstream of the proposed dam site
• Hydrogeological study to determine impact of the dam on recharge of downstream aquifers and proposed mitigation measures
• Land use impact assessment for determination of re-location and compensation needs
• Consultation of key interested and affected parties (IAP) and relevant government departments on issues relating to the proposed development to ensure compliance to existing policies, guidelines, regulations (bye-laws) and accommodation of public views
• Assessment of the archaeological impact of the proposed dam
• Production of maps, showing infrastructure, archaeological sites, and properties to be impacted by the dam
• Carry out environmental flow requirements for maintenance of  downstream  ecological systems and water users
• Development of dam operating rules

Department of Water Affairs,
Mr. B. Gunter,
Tel: +267 3607345

The main goal of this study was to undertake detailed EIA and AIA for the proposed Senyamadi and Ntsweseolo Hills access roads during the construction of telecommunication towers on top of the hills. Specific tasks undertaken included;

• Identification and evaluation of environmental effects which will be caused by the proposed access roads during construction and operation
• Development of procedures and measures that will mitigate the predicted adverse impacts of the development and measures that will enhance the beneficial effects of the proposed development
• Consultation of key interested and affected parties on issues relating to the proposed development to ensure compliance to existing policies, guidelines, regulations (bye-laws) and accommodate public views.
• Outlined the main elements which should be undertaken during the decommissioning of the project activities

Department of Roads,
Mr. T. Mophakedi
Tel: +267 391 3511

The proposed Thune Dam site was found to be rich in archaeological sites during the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA; Geoflux, 2005) and the subsequent re-evaluation by WRC through field surveys and visits conducted during the audit phase of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) supervision. Hence this project was aimed at implementing the recommended mitigation measures prior to commencement of construction activities. The following activities were conducted during project implementation;

• Exhumation and reburial of 14 graves) of individuals buried at different sites within the proposed inundation area which formally used to be cattle posts and at Mafote (Demafonde) Hill
•  Community and stakeholder involvement in all planning and mitigation activities including  Botswana Police Service, Department of Water Affairs, Bobirwa Sub-District Office, Bobonong Sub-land board, Chiefs, Bobirwa Member of Parliament, Council Secretary-Bobirwa Sub District, Councillors ,Village Development Committees,  Department of National Museum & Monuments, Department of Wildlife and National Parks and Department of Information and Broadcasting Services
•  Documentation of Rock Art Sites in the Thune Dam Inundation area
•  Excavation and documentation of  Iron Age & Stone Sites in the Thune Dam Inundation area
•  Documentation of Ranks 5 archaeological sites in the Thune Dam inundation area and at the Demafonde quarry

Department of Water Affairs,
Mr. G. Dintwa,
Tel: +267 360 7323

This study was aimed at assessing the feasibility of abstracting an annual volume of 495 million cubic meters (MCM) of water from the Chobe & Zambezi River at three proposed intake points.  Specific tasks undertaken by WRC under this study included;

• Hydrological study to assess the potential impact of the water transfer scheme on downstream water availability
• Biophysical impact assessment
• Identification of impacts on land use
• Assessment of the three alternative intake points and recommending the one with minimal adverse impacts
• Conducting stakeholder consultations including relevant personnel in the riparian states of the Zambezi River Basin
• Development of operational rules for abstraction of water from the river system

Department of Water Affairs,
Mr. O. Dikgomo,
Tel: +267 3607335

The study was aimed at assessing the environmental impacts associated with the proposed upgrading of a river crossing structures across Molapowabojang River along Molapowabojang-Lorwana (98m) and Molapowabojang-Mogojogojo (82m) roads. Activities undertaken included;

• Identification and evaluation of environmental, socio-economic and archaeological effects which will be caused by the construction and operation of the river crossing structures
• Examined the impacts for the specified alternative road alignments (including existing alignment as one of the alternatives) and considered environmental aspects of the project in the choice of the final alignment emphasising safety of road users
• Identified and described procedures and activities that will mitigate adverse impacts and enhance the beneficial effects
• Liaised with interest groups and the public within the proposed project areas in order to seek their views on alignment and other issues related to the construction of the river crossings
• Considered environmental aspects of the project in the choice of the final alignment and proposed borrow pits

Department of Roads,
Ms. T. Gontse,
Tel: +267 391 0399