Reverse Osmosis Plant
To understand “reverse osmosis,” it is probably best to start with normal osmosis.
According to Merriam- Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, osmosis is the “movement of a solvent through a semipermeable membrane into a solution of higher solute concentration that tends to equalize the concentrations of solute on the two sides of the membrane.”
In reverse osmosis, the idea is to use the membrane to act like an extremely fine filter to create drinkable water from salty (or otherwise contaminated) water. The salty water is put on one side of the membrane and pressure is applied to stop, and then reverse, the osmotic process.
Transnet use 71 000 kiloliters of fresh water on a monthly basis to mitigate the dust polution on iron ore in bulk stotage. Saltwater is not adequate to wash away the dust as it has a negative impact on the iron ore. Due to the ever increasing pressure on fresh water reserves in the Western Cape, Transnet had to look for alternative sources of fresh water to mitigate the iron ore dust polution. Therefor the need for a desalianation plant.
We as the LRRA strongly opose the potential development of such a plant due to the size of the plant and the potential negative impact that it will have on the greater Saldanha Bay. 45 Million liters of high concentrate brine are due to be released back into the bay on a regular basis.
Such a plant will only be supported if the high concentrate brine can be pumped into a high energy area with a high frequency of waves and strong currents outside the bay. Although this organization is of the opinion that a Reverse Osmosis plant is not a solution to this problem but rather a water treatment plant receiving the Saldanha Bay Municipal Area sewerage and stormwater treated adequatly for industrial use.
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To appeal the process is an absolute must do.
This is irresponsible management of resources and the sooner long term planning prior to allowing large scale development is made the sooner we may have a chance on sustaining the environment.
There are at least 6 large desal. plants planned and I am sure many more are being mooted. This before addressing the core problem is solved.
The world over desal plants are receiving negative reviews and SA is now attempting to solve the water crises using this technology.
Africa, the worlds dumping ground for failed technology.