Groundwater prospects probed for olive farm

Abstract

Groundwater investigation The prospect of the establishment of an olive plantation near Malagas, in the Western Cape, prompted an in-depth investigation into potential sources of water for irrigation, writes Lloyd Flanagan of SRK Consulting. The medium-density olive plantation is being established on Milkwood River Farm, a property located about 10 km east of Malagas, in the Breede River Management Area. The Greenleaf Olive Company plans to plant 300 ha of olive trees in the first phase to produce about 500 000 ℓ/a of olive oil for the local and international market. About 1,61 million cubic metres of water a year is required to meet the irrigation demand on the farm. About 85% of the required annual supply will be used during the summer months between October and March each year. It was initially proposed that in-stream dams be built on both the perennial Melkhout and Jacobs rivers, with a combined capacity of 1,5 million cubic metres a year. However, the proposal was rejected due to the potential negative impacts of abstraction and storage.

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