This paper describes the results of geohydrological studies conducted at Matsopa Mine, where a shallow bentonite body is mined, to investigate the potential impacts of mining on the groundwater environment. An understanding of such potential impacts is crucial since the communitiesin the area are dependent solely on groundwater for their domestic water supply.
Water is regarded as a source of life and access to potable water supply delivery remains the building block to improving and maintaining the community member’s health and productive life. The demand for water supply has been increasing due to population growth and climate change phenomena. Hence, there is need to assess the current state of potable water supply system in selected rural areas of Vhembe District Municipality (VDM), South Africa.
The western part of South Africa is experiencing a prolonged drought. In many cases, the effects of drought have been noticed since 2011, putting the western part of the Northern Cape under severe stress to provide water to the communities. In the past 10 years, rainfall has also decreased, and in most cases, the catchments did not receive rain to help with the recharge of groundwater. Various lessons were learned from the change in the climate and environment.
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