Next week, on July 12, 2022, the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) will have a meeting with the Richmond community and neighbouring areas in the Northern Cape as part of public engagements on the published Unconventional Gas Regulations.
The published Unconventional Gas Regulations, which were created in accordance with Section 38 of the National Water Act of 1998, have been the subject of meetings between the DWS and internal and external parties.
When using water for unconventional gas activities, the regulations specify conditions and guidelines.
Public involvement is now starting, especially with the communities that will be most impacted by unconventional gas activities that are currently being piloted or that may be used in the future.
The following municipalities will host the public events from July 11 to July 20, 2022:
11 July 2022 – Theunissen in the Free State
12 July 2022 – Richmond in the Northern Cape
13 July 2022 – Beaufort West in the Western Cape
18 July 2022 – Lephalale in Limpopo
19 July 2022 – Volksrust in Mpumalanga
20 July 2022 in Matatiele in the Eastern Cape
Public participation and views will be sought through meetings and recorded comments, and information pamphlets will be provided.
Before the regulations are finalized and gazetted, communities in the impacted areas are expected to provide comments.