over-abstraction

The improvement in hydraulic fracturing techniques resulted in the exploitation of natural gas associated with low-permeability organic-rich shale formations in the United States. South Africa has prospective shale gas resources linked with the marine black shales of the Whitehill Formation found in the Karoo Basin. Plans exist to develop the Karoo shale gas resources to diversify the primary energy mix. However, concerns among stakeholders about groundwater contamination and source of water for hydraulic fracturing remain unresolved.

The University of the Free State investigated the possible dewatering of boreholes situated on the farm properties in the vicinity of an underground coal mine. The investigation consisted of three phases.
Phase one was a hydrocensus on the farm properties.
Phase two consisted of borehole yield determination by conducting pumping tests on the boreholes (where possible) identified in the hydrocensus phase.

Note: This case study was submitted and reported in the Publication Advances in Groundwater governance. The demand on fresh water has increased to such an extend that supply cannot keep up with demand, especially in areas where desalination of seawater is not an option. There is a large gap between the water user, the water supplier and the capacity of the resource/s. The water user sees it as his/her right to be provided with clean water in sufficient volumes to sustain their most basic needs.At the same time people want higher levels of service, especially where sanitation is concerned.