Environmental Impacts of Dam Water Quality in KwaZulu-Natal: A Case - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Environmental Impacts

• f Dam Water Quality in

KwaZulu-Natal: A Case Study Approach

Author: Mendy Shozi (Cand. Sci. Nat.)

[BSc: Applied Chemistry; BSc (Hons) Environmental Sciences (UKZN)]

Co-Author: Abulele Adams

[BSc: Environmental Sciences; BSc (Hons) GIS (NMMU)]

Outline

• 1. Introduction
• 2. Case Study Introduction

2.1. Impact on the four dams 2.2. Case study findings 2.3 Umgeni Water results

• 3. Discussion on findings
• 4. Lessons learnt
• 5. Way forward

• 1. Introduction
• South Africa is facing a looming water

crisis

• Unsustainable social and economic

activities

• Metropolitan and residential areas in

South Africa are situated in watersheds of rivers e.g. Umgeni Water Catchment

Introduction

Figure 1: Residential and commercial areas in close proximity to Umgeni River

• Umgeni Water is a state-owned water

utility

• Committed to protecting, conserving and

sustaining natural resources

• Umgeni Water ‘Water Quality

Management Plan’:

• 1. Monitoring quality of raw water
• 2. Assessing risks
• 3. Catchment management activities
• 4. Improving water quality

• 2. Case study introduction
• The catchment is characterised by a myriad of

anthropogenic activities.

• Biological and chemical water-borne pollutants

contaminate water storage supply.

Figure 2: Location of the four dams on Umgeni River

2.1 Impact on the four dams

• Agriculture  chemical pollutants (pesticides, fertilizers)
• Livestock microbiological pathogens
• Alien invasives and plantations  blocks and reduces

natural flow and may cause soil erosion - sedimentation

• Commercial Activity (residential and industry)  various

chemical pollutants

• Residential run-off  chemical pollutants, micro-

biological pollutants

• Overflowing sewage and wastewater works  chemical

pollutants, micro-biological pollutants

• Wetland destruction  cannot filter impurities in systems

2.2 Case study findings

Case study findings

2.3 Umgeni Water Results (2012 and 2013)

• Dam water quality as determined by Umgeni Water (2012;

2013): Bio-assessment tool

Figure 3: The quality of impoundments in the Umgeni River catchment *(Source: Umgeni Water Annual Report 2011/2012; 2012/2013)

• 3. Discussion of findings
• Case study findings show that dam

catchments water quality contaminated

• Socio-economic and health impacts of

polluted dam and river water.

• Umgeni Water Annual Report 2012/2013

reports less contamination.

• Disadvantages of solely using biological

assessment.

• 4. Lessons learnt
• Numerous benefits associated with

effective dam catchment management

• Need multi-faceted water quality

monitoring scheme

• Reduction of treatment costs
• Improved ecosystem goods and services

received from river catchment

• Reduced health risks to water users

(domestic, recreational)

• 5. Way forward
• Need for effective integrated water information

system (NIWIS)

• Polluters must be held accountable
• Reduce pollution sources
• Greater transparency between local/national

government, industry and community members regarding the way forward

• Water resource management projects, e.g.:
• 1. Working on Wetlands
• 2. DUCT River Walk

• 6. References

Brighton N (2013) Saving Midmar – Meeting Today. River Walks: Journey from the source to the sea

Görgens A and de Clercq W (2005) Research on Berg River Water Management: Summary of water quality information system

and soil quality studies. Gezina, Water Research Commission Govender D (2011). Midmar Muck. M-NET, Carte Blanche report. Article 4358. Jogiat R (2013) Save the Midmar Dam Project: Working together for water security in the uMgungundlovu Water Service

• Authority. SANBI

Papu-Zamxaka V, Mathee A, Harpham T, Barnes B, Rollin H, Lyons M, Jordaan W and Cloete M (2010) Elevated mercury exposure in communities living alongside the Inanda Dam, South Africa. Journal of Environmental Monitoring, 12 (2): 472-477 Todd, C. and Claasen, M. (2000). Strategic Assessment of the Baseline Environmental Context in Cato Manor: water resources. LEAD Programme in Technology for Enhanced Environmental Management. Durban, March, 2000. Umngeni_Water (2012) Annual Report 2011/2012, Chapter 10: Conserving our natural resources. KwaZulu-Natal, Umngeni_Water (2013) Annual Report 2012/2013, Chapter 9: Conserving our natural reources. KwaZulu-Natal, WRC (2002) State of Rivers Report: uMngeni River and neighbouring rivers and streams. Pretoria, Water Research Commission