The importance of implementing pollution prevention principle in effluent water management for environmental legal compliance in a coal power station, a case of Kendal Power Station, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa

Abstract

This study focuses on the Kendal Power Station located in the Nkangala District, eMalahleni Municipality in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. The study intended to establish whether or not the effluent water management activities impact negatively on the ground water resources surrounding the power station. This was done by examining the monitoring reports on the boreholes used for monitoring potential contamination of groundwater caused by effluent water, and whether this complies with the limits as stipulated in the power station water use licence. Data from 2011 to 2020 was used. The chemical variables which formed part of the study are pH, electrical conductivity, sodium, calcium, and sulphates. Four boreholes in the vicinity of the effluent water dams were used for this study. In instances where the limits as stipulated in the water use license were exceeded, it indicated that pollution or contamination of the groundwater resources occurred. It was found that three boreholes had high instances of non-compliance with the water use license limits. The fourth borehole, which is located at the highest topographic point, had less instances of non-compliances to the water use license limits, compared to the two boreholes in close proximity. It was also found that the highest incidences of non-compliance were with sodium, followed by sulphates, electrical conductivity, and calcium, with pH having the least incidences of non-compliances. It was thus concluded that the Kendal Power Station did not implement pollution prevention principles in effluent water management.