STRENGTHS,
WEAKNESSES, OPPORTUNITIES AND THREATS OF WATER POLLUTION IN GREATER JOHANNESBURG (Walmsley,
1997)
| STRENGTHS |
WEAKNESSES |
- Department of Water Affairs have released manuals containing
giudelines for water quality constituents
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- Water pollution has serious impacts on the fauna and flora
of river ecosystems, by depleting the water column of oxygen
- Water pollution can also have serious impacts on human
health, causing dairrhoea, cholera, typhoid fever, poisoning and gastroenteritis
- Toxicity can lead to cancer generation, a decrease in
reproduction, and genetic abnormalities
- Urban land use will always result in water pollution to some
degree due to the impurities generated in the urban environment
- Exposed mine dumps in the GJ area contribute to much of the
suspendid solids present in river water in the area, especially those rivers draining
south of the ridge
- Poor waste management can be attributed to much of the water
pollution in Greater Johannesburg. This is especially linked to litter, unsanitary living
conditions along many river banks, illegal dumping of hazardous waste and industrial and
mining effluent
- The removal of reeds to curb flooding, removes one of the
primary natural cleansing functions of the river. There are many other methods available
to mitigate flooding other than remove riverine vegetation
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| OPPORTUNITIES |
THREATS |
- Constructed and natural wetlands aid the treatment of
polluted water
- More efficient enforcement of legislation and guidelines
- Business incentives to reduce effluent discharges
- Recycling of water
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- An uncontrolled increase in industrial development could
result in an increase in the amount of water pollution in the area
- Densification within the Metropolitan boundary will result
in more sources of water pollution
- Uncontrolled development will result in more sources of
water pollution and diminish the role of the water quality guidelines
- Poorly designed waste management procedures and facilities
will exacerbate the existing problem
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CRITERIA FOR WATER MANAGEMENT ACCORDING TO
LA 21
Source: http://www.igc.apc.org/habitat/agenda
A synopsis of the key focus areas of Local Agenda 21 has
been used as a guideline for assessing responses on the driving forces of water pollution.
Six broad categories have been identified in Local Agenda 21 as focus areas in response to
water-related issues, which can be used for catchment management planning. The following
five of these six apply to GJMC.
Integrated water resource development and
management
Water resource assessment
Drinking water supply and sanitation
Water and sustainable urban development
Protection of water resources, water quality and aquatic
ecosystems.
INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT
AND MANAGEMENT PLANS
Basis for action
The extent to which water resources development contributes
to economic well being is not always appreciated. Due to high population growth
many countries face conditions of water scarcity, which in turn limits their economic
development. Gardening is a major pastime in Highveld towns, and on average, a
Johannesburg household uses 55% of its water on the garden (Clarke, 1991).
The holistic management of freshwater as a finite and vulnerable resource and the
integration of sectoral water plans and programs is therefore vitally important.
Objectives
- To assess water demands from industry, economic and social
needs versus water availability
- To project water demand versus water availability
- To provide for basic needs and the protection of ecosystems
- To formulate Catchment Management water plans which
integrate technological, socio-economic, environmental and human health concerns.
- To address community water needs within the framework of
local economic development.
- To formulate management plans to ensure community
participation.
Strategies as per Land Development Objectives (LDO), 1997
- Formulate costed and targeted action plans and investment
programmes
- Measures for the protection and conservation of potential
sources of freshwater supply, and making inventory of water resources.
- Database with forecasting models, economic planning models
and methods for water management and planning, EIA methods.
- Allocation decisions through demand management, pricing
mechanisms and regulatory measures.
- EIA and social impact assessment of drought and flood.
- Promotion of schemes for rational water use through
awareness-raising, educational programmes and levying of water tariffs.
- Mobilisation of water resources.
- Integration of water quantity and quality management.
- Water conservation through improved water use efficiency and
wastage minimisation schemes. (Save Water 1, Save water 2, Save water 3,Save water 4, Save water 5, Save water 6).
- Optimise local water resources.
- Public participatory techniques and implementation in
decision-making.
- Dissemination of information, including operational
guidelines, and promotion of education for water users.
INTEGRATED WATER MANAGEMENT VISION AS PER THE LDO's
- Well-managed land use will assist in improving ground water
quality
- In co-operation with relevant parties, catchment studies
should be produced to determine water quality and sources of pollution
- Establish a water quality-monitoring programme
- Establish an effective voluntary reporting system by Sectors
requiring DWAF permits and proper means of verification including inspections.
WATER RESOURCES ASSESSMENT
Basis for action
Water resource assessment, including the identification of
potential sources of freshwater supply, includes the ongoing determination of sources,
extent, dependability and quality of water resources, and of the human activities that
affect those resources.
Objectives
- To make available the water resource database
- To utilise this database in water management policy
- To establish institutional arrangements for collection,
processing, storage, retrieval and dissemination to users of information about the quality
and quantity of available water resources.
DRINKING WATER SUPPLY AND SANITATION
- Safe water supplies and environmental sanitation is
important to protect the environment, to improve health and alleviate poverty.
- An estimated 80
percent of all diseases, and over one third of deaths in developing countries are
caused by the consumption of contaminated water.
Objectives
To protect the environment and safeguard health through the
integrated management of water resources, liquid and solid waste
To introduce institutional reforms to promote an integrated
approach, including changes in procedures, attitudes and behaviour
To promote community management of services
To create awareness through information dissemination and
public participation
Activities
Environment and health
- Sanitary disposal of excreta and sewage, using appropriate
systems to treat waste waters
- Adequate sewage treatment facilities and drainage systems
- Treatment and safe reuse of domestic and industrial waste
water
- Control of water associated diseases
People and institutions
- Decisions to be taken at the lowest appropriate level with
public consultation and involvement of users in planning and implementation
Community management
- Support and assistance to communities in managing their own
systems on a sustainable basis
- Participation of communities in water management
- Promotion of primary health and environmental care at the
local level, including training for local communities in appropriate water management
techniques and primary health care
- Rehabilitation of defective systems, reduction of wastage
and the safe reuse of water and waste water
- Programmes for rational water use and continued operation
and maintenance
- Increase urban treatment capacity with increased loads
Awareness creation and public information /
participation
- Strengthening of sector monitoring and information
management
Vision for water and sanitation as per LDOs
- Incorporation of former townships into SMLC will result in
improved provision and management of bulk and reticulated services, which will improve
water quality if not accompanied by massive unmanaged urban development.
- Upgrading of sewer systems and improvement of storm water
services
WATER AND SUSTAINABLE URBAN
DEVELOPMENT
Basis for action
Urbanisation and industrialisation place strains on the
water resources and environmental protection capabilities of cities. Urbanisation thus
impacts on water demands, usage, management and the treatment thereof. Water shortages and
the development of new resources also have a considerable impact. Improved management of
urban water resources, including the elimination of unsustainable consumption patterns can
make a contribution to the alleviation of poverty and the improvement of the health and
quality of life of the urban poor.
Objectives
To implement environmentally sound management of water
resources. This will give rise to strategies and actions to :
- ensure the continued supply of affordable water for present
and future needs, and
- reverse current trends of resource degradation and
depletion.
Activities
- Protection of water resources from depletion, pollution and
degradation
- Efficient and equitable allocation of water resources
- Institutional / legal / management reforms
- Promotion of public participation in water conservation and
water demand management
- Support of local capacity building
- Providing enhanced access to sanitary services
Vision for the sustainable water usage as per the
LDOs
There are substantial opportunities for water saving through
improved leak detection; by introducing water efficient plumbing, and efficient water
metering.
The overall growth in water demand in Greater Johannesburg
needs to be met with measures to reduce water demand and wastage in co-operation with
relevant parties.
Water saving technology and methods should be investigated
in order to change consumer behaviour.
PROTECTION OF WATER
RESOURCES, WATER QUALITY AND AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
Basis for action
Problems include the inadequate supply of freshwater, poor
water quality and pollution of surface and groundwater sources. These problems occur from
inadequately treated domestic sewage; inadequate controls of the discharges of industrial
wastewater; loss and destruction of catchment areas; ill-considered siting of industrial
plants; inadequate waste services, and growing populations which impact on water quality
and quantity. The leaching of nutrients and pesticides threatens aquatic ecosystems, and
living freshwater resources are threatened.
Many of these problems have arisen from a development model
that is environmentally destructive, and from a lack of public awareness and education
about surface and groundwater resource protection.
Ecological and human health effects are the measurable
consequences.
Objectives
- To utilise a catchment management approach, based on the
needs of people and the environment.
- To protect groundwater resources.
- To integrate water-quality elements into water resource
management
Activities
- Water resource protection and conservation
- Water pollution prevention and control
- Development and application of clean technology
- Groundwater protection
- Protection of aquatic ecosystems
- Protection of freshwater living resources
- Monitoring and surveillance of water resources and waters
receiving waste
- Development of legal instruments for the protection of the
quality of water resources
Vision for the protection of water resources, water
quality and aquatic ecosystems as per the LDOs
Substantial room exists to improve the management of rivers,
streams and wetlands as major recreational and natural features. These are currently under
major pressure from development proposals, informal activities and illegal dumping.
An effective public education and awareness programme needs
to be established on water pollution and use.
Improved service provision and community education is needed
to prevent pollution from run-off from Powa Park.
CURRENT RESPONSES TO WATER POLLUTION IN GREATER
JOHANNESBURG
- Establishment of the Jukskei catchment monitoring programme
and forum
- Establishment of the Klip River Catchment monitoring
programme and forum
- Use of the Geographic Information System to map pollution
points
- Provision of sanitation services
- Establishment of Water pollution by-laws
- Provision of safe drinking water
- Doornkop
Water Conservation Project:
- National Water Week - March 1998
GAPS STILL TO BE INCLUDED
- Legislative framework
- Institutional Capacity
- Groundwater analysis
- Analysis of wet industries
- Catchment bio-diversity / species
- Current status of joint projects between national,
provincial and international role-players
- Cross analysis of socio-economic issues that impact on water
pollution
- Water pollution projections
- Water consumption patterns in relation to water demand and
water availability.
REFERENCES
Clarke, J. 1991: Back to Earth: South Africa's
environmental challenges. Southern: Halfway House.
Institute for Global Communication 1997: Towards an
Agenda for Information. http://www.igc.apc.org/habitat/agenda
Walmsley Environmental Consultants 1997: GJTMC
Integrated Metropolitan Development Plan - Report No. W262. WEC: Rivonia. |
