NOTICE OF WATER USE LICENCE APPLICATION, IN TERMS OF THE NATIONAL WATER ACT, 1998 (ACT NO. 36 OF 1998), FOR BRONKHORSTSPRUIT BIOGAS PLANT (PTY) LTD (“BBP”): NOTICE OF DRAFT INTEGRATED WATER AND WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE EXISTING SEPTIC TANK AND SUMPS, AND THE PROPOSED GROUNDWATER ABSTRACTION POINTS AND CONSERVANCY TANK AT BBP IN BRONKHORSTSPRUIT, GAUTENG PROVINCE (DWS EWULAAS APPLICATION NUMBER: WU39556)

This advertisement gives notice to Interested and Affected Parties (“I&APs”) about the availability of the Draft Integrated Water and Waste Management Plan (“IWWMP”) for a 60-day public review and commenting period in support of the Water Use License Application (“WULA”) process for the above-mentioned project.

BACKGROUND TO THE PROJECT

Bronkhorstspruit Biogas Plant (Pty) Ltd (“BBP”), owned by Bio2Watt Energy Holdings (Pty) Ltd, is a renewable energy industrial facility. The existing biogas plant capacity generates 4.6 megawatts (“MW”). BBP has been supplying a private offtaker with green electricity since 2015. In 2018, BBP identified the opportunity to increase its power generation to 9.8MW. The upgrade entails improvements to the original design and will be better positioned to process larger volumes of organic waste more efficiently. This also includes the upgrading of the stormwater management system. Accordingly, BBP is applying for the existing septic tank and sumps, and the proposed groundwater abstraction points and a conservancy tank.

LOCATION OF THE PROJECT

The BBP is situated on the remaining extent of the farm Boschkop 543 JR which is located 18 km south-west of Bronkhorstspruit. The proposed project is situated on the premises of one of South Africa’s largest feedlots. BBP falls under the jurisdiction of the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality in the Gauteng Province.

LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS

Procedure applied to the application

A WULA is required for water use activities contained in Section 21 of the National Water Act (“NWA”), 1998. The application process is undertaken in accordance with GNR 267 (Regulations regarding the procedural requirements for water use licence applications and appeals), dated 24 March 2017.

Applications submitted to competent authority

The DWS has been consulted as part of the pre-application enquiry. The application has been lodged on the DWS e-WULAAS online portal and will follow all phases of the WULA process, which includes undertaking public participation.

Water use activities applicable to the application

The water use activities that are being applied for are:

• Section 21 (a): Taking water from a water resource; and
• Section 21(g): Disposing of waste in a manner which may detrimentally impact on a water resource.

Legislation associated with the application

South African legislation requires that a WULA be compiled in accordance with the NWA. In order to do so, BBP has appointed Shangoni Management Services (Pty) Ltd (“Shangoni”) as the independent Environmental Assessment Practitioner (“EAP”), to undertake and manage the process of applying for the WUL. The following key legislation is applicable to this application:

• National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998).
• GNR267 of 24 March 2017 – Regulations regarding the procedural requirements for water use licence applications and appeals.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

South Africans have a right to be informed about potential decisions that may affect them and to be afforded an opportunity to influence those decisions. This advertisement forms part of a Public Participation Process as part of the project. It describes the various components of the project to enable I&APs to get a better understanding of the potential environmental and social impacts that could be expected from the proposed project. It also outlines the process and the opportunities for the public to become involved during the process.

Register as an I&AP

To register as an I&AP for this project, or to obtain more information or submit comments, please request a Registration Form from Shangoni and return it to the details provided below.

Availability of the draft Integrated Water and Waste Management Plan

The draft Integrated Water and Waste Management Plan (“IWWMP”) will be made available to the public for review for a period of 60 days from 14 March 2025 to 20 May 2025 at the Bronkhorstspruit Biogas Plant; the  Bronkhorstspruit Community Library; and the Shangoni’s website (www.shangoni.co.za). E-mail or fax your comments to Shangoni (details provided below) by no later than Tuesday, 20 May 2025.

Where to obtain more information

To obtain additional information please contact the environmental consultant at the details provided below.

Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP): Shangoni Management Services (Pty) Ltd

Contact person: Sameera Ismail

Tel: 012 807 7036

E-mail: sameera@shangoni.co.za

Fax: 012 807 1014

Postal Address: P. O. Box 74726, Lynnwood Ridge, 0040