Only in China!

The western, eastern and northern regions of the Republic of China receive very little rainfall and these regions experience prolonged periods of severe drought. The city of Beijing which is situated in the northern region has grown rapidly in recent times with heavy industry in the capital city attracting many people from the rural areas into the city. All this has put a big strain on the water supply in Beijing and these other regions of China. Back in 1952 Chairman Mao recognized the water shortage problems and proposed a radical solution viz., a water diversion system and long after his death, in December 2003 soil was broken in the ambitious “the south-to-north water diversion project”. The aim of the project is to tap into the abundance of water in the country’s four major rivers situated in the south by diverting water from these rivers to the drought-prone regions in the west, east and north. This bold project is expected to result in the building of a network of canals traversing thousands of kilometres and channelling water (using the force of gravity) from the four rivers to landlocked areas in the west, east and north. Since 2003, parts of the south-to-north water diversion project have been coming on stream (pun not intentional) in stages and it is expected that upon completion (at an estimated total cost of US$62 bil) in 2050, the network of canals will divert a staggering 44,8 billion cubic meters of water per annum.

SA has its own water problem

South Africa is generally considered a semi-arid country with some areas receiving heavy rainfall and others little to nothing at all. Having said this, South Africa does have a vast network of rivers and the largest of these, the Orange River has an abundance of water which ultimately flows into the Atlantic Ocean having travelled hundreds of kilometres from its source. It is estimated that 8% of South Africa’s total exports are agricultural and farming-related products ranging from grain, fruits, fruit juices to animal hides. Maize, which is largely grown in the Free Sate and the surrounding provinces, accounts for up to 33% of South Africa’s gross agricultural production and recently there’s has been reports of a crippling drought in the Free State and the surrounding provinces.

SA’s own water diversion project

Now, I’m no specialist on matters related to water technology, but the drought in our country has left me wondering whether or not there’s perhaps an opportunity for South Africa to have its own water diversion project. Through this project, water could be drawn from the Orange River or its main tributary, the Vaal River and be diverted to those parts of the country which receive little to no rainfall. A project of this nature would no doubt have an impact on the environment however I have no doubt in my mind that what South Africa needs is a radical sustainable solution to the water shortage problem.