The Orange River, SA’s longest waterway, is at the centre of a long-running drama pitting environmentalists against farmers.

Environmentalists and scientists say the river is being overused by farmers who are irrigating vineyards in a thirsty land. But local farmers have hit back, saying they are an economic boon in a place where jobs are scarce.

“Water usage has definitely doubled in the last 10 years,” said Craig Eksteen, owner of Upington-based adventure tour company Kalahari Adventures, adding he had mixed feelings about using the precious water resources to grow grapes destined for the export market...