Mokolo-Crocodile River water augmentation project phase 2a

The Mokolo Crocodile Water Augmentation Project (MCWAP) is a multi-phase initiative designed to increase water supplies in the Lephalale area of South Africa. Originally envisioned with three phases, the project currently focuses on Phase 1 (MCWAP-1) and Phase 2A (MCWAP-2A). The MCWAP-2 project will provide enough water for new pollution control units at Medupi and Matimba power stations, support the growing population of Lephalale, and unlock the potential of the Waterberg coal fields for power generation and export. This additional water source is essential because the existing MCWAP-1 pipeline cannot meet all these demands.

The MCWAP project underwent some revisions during its planning stages. Initial plans included provisions for future coal-fired power stations and a Sasol petrochemical plant. However, these aspects were dropped due to changes in South Africa’s energy needs and economic considerations. As a result, the overall water transfer capacity of the project was scaled down to better reflect current demands and some anticipated future development needs in the region.

Despite these adjustments, MCWAP-2A is considered the most sustainable solution to address the growing water deficit in the Water Management Area. Alternative water sources were explored during the project’s feasibility study, but MCWAP-2A emerged as the most viable option. The water transferred from the Crocodile River primarily consists of upstream return flows from Gauteng province’s major cities, which itself relies heavily on the Vaal River catchment area for its water supply. 

Phase 1, already operational since June 2015, delivers approximately 30 million cubic meters (m3 ) of water per year to key users like Eskom power stations, Exxaro industries, and the Lephalale Local Municipality. This water comes from the Mokolo Dam.

Phase 2A, currently under development, aims to significantly boost water supplies by adding another 75 million m3 annually. To achieve this, a new 160-kilometer pipeline will be constructed, drawing water from the Crocodile River (West). Once completed, the combined MCWAP system will have a total yield of 105 million m3 per year.