Using System Dynamics to Explore the Water Supply and Demand Dilemmas of a Small South African Municipality
- Clifford-Holmes, Jai K, Slinger, Jill H, Musango, J K, Brent, A C, Palmer, Carolyn G
- Authors: Clifford-Holmes, Jai K , Slinger, Jill H , Musango, J K , Brent, A C , Palmer, Carolyn G
- Date: 2014-08-15
- Language: English
- Type: Conference paper
- Identifier: vital:7070 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1014840
- Description: This paper explores the challenges faced by small municipalities in providing water services in a developing world context of increasing urban demand. The paper uses a case study of the Sundays River Valley Municipality (SRVM) in South Africa. The municipality faces multiple dilemmas in reconciling its available water supply with growing demand for potable water in the primary urban settlement in the area, in a struggle that is typical of the broad category of South African municipalities to which the SRVM belongs. These dilemmas are explored using a system dynamics model, referred to as the ‘Kirkwood water demand system dynamics model’ (K-DEM). This paper specifically introduces the K-DEM structure,which is aimed at investigating the impacts of households progressively receiving full water and sanitation services; the use of rainwater harvesting as an alternative form of water supply; and the possible effect of a household-level water conservation / water demand management programme. Baseline results are discussed, and areas for future research identified. Paper presented at the 32nd International Conference of the System Dynamics Society, 21-24 July 2014, in Delft, the Netherlands. , Word , Mac OS X 10.8.5 Quartz PDFContext
- Full Text:
- Authors: Clifford-Holmes, Jai K , Slinger, Jill H , Musango, J K , Brent, A C , Palmer, Carolyn G
- Date: 2014-08-15
- Language: English
- Type: Conference paper
- Identifier: vital:7070 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1014840
- Description: This paper explores the challenges faced by small municipalities in providing water services in a developing world context of increasing urban demand. The paper uses a case study of the Sundays River Valley Municipality (SRVM) in South Africa. The municipality faces multiple dilemmas in reconciling its available water supply with growing demand for potable water in the primary urban settlement in the area, in a struggle that is typical of the broad category of South African municipalities to which the SRVM belongs. These dilemmas are explored using a system dynamics model, referred to as the ‘Kirkwood water demand system dynamics model’ (K-DEM). This paper specifically introduces the K-DEM structure,which is aimed at investigating the impacts of households progressively receiving full water and sanitation services; the use of rainwater harvesting as an alternative form of water supply; and the possible effect of a household-level water conservation / water demand management programme. Baseline results are discussed, and areas for future research identified. Paper presented at the 32nd International Conference of the System Dynamics Society, 21-24 July 2014, in Delft, the Netherlands. , Word , Mac OS X 10.8.5 Quartz PDFContext
- Full Text:
Critical analysis of environmental water quality in South Africa Historic and current trends
- Griffin, Neil J, Palmer, Carolyn G, Scherman, Patricia A
- Authors: Griffin, Neil J , Palmer, Carolyn G , Scherman, Patricia A
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , report
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/437812 , vital:73414 , ISBN 978-1-4312-0536-3 , https://wrcwebsite.azurewebsites.net/wp-content/uploads/mdocs/2184-1-14.pdf
- Description: South Africa is widely recognised as having an admirable water law, and as being a leader in granting a right to water, in terms of quality and quantity, to the environment. However, the water quality of South Afri-can water resources is deteriorating (eg CSIR 2010, DWA 2011a), alt-hough good water quality management structures, strategies, ap-proaches, programmes, instruments, and tools have been developed and implemented nationally. The research reported on here provides a review of changes in water quality management structures, pro-grammes and approaches over the past two decades, and highlights areas where these need updating, completion or revision. As a com-parative illustration of changes in water quality with time, changes in 11 water quality parameters in two river systems (the Crocodile River in Mpumalanga, which is moderately impacted, and the Olifants River, in Mpumalanga and Limpopo, which is severely impacted) are presented.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Griffin, Neil J , Palmer, Carolyn G , Scherman, Patricia A
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , report
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/437812 , vital:73414 , ISBN 978-1-4312-0536-3 , https://wrcwebsite.azurewebsites.net/wp-content/uploads/mdocs/2184-1-14.pdf
- Description: South Africa is widely recognised as having an admirable water law, and as being a leader in granting a right to water, in terms of quality and quantity, to the environment. However, the water quality of South Afri-can water resources is deteriorating (eg CSIR 2010, DWA 2011a), alt-hough good water quality management structures, strategies, ap-proaches, programmes, instruments, and tools have been developed and implemented nationally. The research reported on here provides a review of changes in water quality management structures, pro-grammes and approaches over the past two decades, and highlights areas where these need updating, completion or revision. As a com-parative illustration of changes in water quality with time, changes in 11 water quality parameters in two river systems (the Crocodile River in Mpumalanga, which is moderately impacted, and the Olifants River, in Mpumalanga and Limpopo, which is severely impacted) are presented.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Sediment as a physical water quality stressor on macro-invertebrates a contribution to the development of a water quality guideline for suspended solids
- Gordon, Andrew K, Niedballa, J, Palmer, Carolyn G
- Authors: Gordon, Andrew K , Niedballa, J , Palmer, Carolyn G
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , report
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/438018 , vital:73429 , ISBN 978-1-4312-0456-4 , https://wrcwebsite.azurewebsites.net/wp-content/uploads/mdocs/2040-1-13.pdf
- Description: The aims of the project (and the chapter in which they are addressed) are presented below: 1. Establish the most appropriate sediment test material for exposure trials–Chapter 2 2. Test the effects of suspended particulates on selected macroinvertebrates at different levels of biolog-ical organization–Chapter 3 3. Generate an exposure-response rela-tionship framework from data generated in Aim 2 and relevant data in the literature–Chapter 4 4. Attempt to relate exposure-response data developed in the laboratory to natural conditions in the field–Chapter 5.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Gordon, Andrew K , Niedballa, J , Palmer, Carolyn G
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , report
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/438018 , vital:73429 , ISBN 978-1-4312-0456-4 , https://wrcwebsite.azurewebsites.net/wp-content/uploads/mdocs/2040-1-13.pdf
- Description: The aims of the project (and the chapter in which they are addressed) are presented below: 1. Establish the most appropriate sediment test material for exposure trials–Chapter 2 2. Test the effects of suspended particulates on selected macroinvertebrates at different levels of biolog-ical organization–Chapter 3 3. Generate an exposure-response rela-tionship framework from data generated in Aim 2 and relevant data in the literature–Chapter 4 4. Attempt to relate exposure-response data developed in the laboratory to natural conditions in the field–Chapter 5.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Water and transformation in South Africa
- Authors: Palmer, Carolyn G
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:578 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1009525
- Description: Water and transformation in South Africa: in special memory of Kader Asmal and Francois Junod.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Palmer, Carolyn G
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:578 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1009525
- Description: Water and transformation in South Africa: in special memory of Kader Asmal and Francois Junod.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
The development of water quality methods within ecological Reserve assessments, and links to environmental flows
- Palmer, Carolyn G, Rossouw, N, Muller, Nikite W J, Scherman, Patricia A
- Authors: Palmer, Carolyn G , Rossouw, N , Muller, Nikite W J , Scherman, Patricia A
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , report
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/438033 , vital:73430 , ISBN 0378-4738 , https://wrcwebsite.azurewebsites.net/wp-content/uploads/mdocs/WaterSA_2005_02_1634.pdf
- Description: In the South African National Water Act (NWA, No 36 of 1998), the eco-logical Reserve is defined as the quality and quantity of water required to ensure appropriate protection of water resources, so as to secure ecologically sustainable development and use. Aquatic ecosystems are recognised as the core location of water resources, and although con-siderable progress has been made in developing methods for quantify-ing environmental flow requirements, this paper describes and discuss-es the first agreed method for quantifying environmental water quality requirements in an ecological Reserve assessment. Integration of flow and water quality is emphasised, and is based on the philosophy that environmental flows should be motivated to provide ecologically im-portant flow-related habitat, or geomorphological function, but should not be motivated to solve water quality problems by dilution. Water qual-ity is multivariate, and not all variables can be considered in an ecologi-cal Reserve assessment, but core water quality variables include: sys-tem variables (salts, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, temperature), nutrients (phosphate, nitrite, nitrate) and toxic substances (those listed in the South African Water Quality Guidelines for Aquatic Ecosystems, includ-ing toxic metal ions, toxic organic substances, and/or substances from a chemical inventory of an effluent or discharge). In addition, biological indicator data (eg SASS data), chlorophyll-a (eg phytoplankton and pe-riphyton data) and toxicity test data may be used. For each variable, a concentration range or response is linked to a class within a water re-source classification system, where classes range from minimally to severely modified.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Palmer, Carolyn G , Rossouw, N , Muller, Nikite W J , Scherman, Patricia A
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , report
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/438033 , vital:73430 , ISBN 0378-4738 , https://wrcwebsite.azurewebsites.net/wp-content/uploads/mdocs/WaterSA_2005_02_1634.pdf
- Description: In the South African National Water Act (NWA, No 36 of 1998), the eco-logical Reserve is defined as the quality and quantity of water required to ensure appropriate protection of water resources, so as to secure ecologically sustainable development and use. Aquatic ecosystems are recognised as the core location of water resources, and although con-siderable progress has been made in developing methods for quantify-ing environmental flow requirements, this paper describes and discuss-es the first agreed method for quantifying environmental water quality requirements in an ecological Reserve assessment. Integration of flow and water quality is emphasised, and is based on the philosophy that environmental flows should be motivated to provide ecologically im-portant flow-related habitat, or geomorphological function, but should not be motivated to solve water quality problems by dilution. Water qual-ity is multivariate, and not all variables can be considered in an ecologi-cal Reserve assessment, but core water quality variables include: sys-tem variables (salts, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, temperature), nutrients (phosphate, nitrite, nitrate) and toxic substances (those listed in the South African Water Quality Guidelines for Aquatic Ecosystems, includ-ing toxic metal ions, toxic organic substances, and/or substances from a chemical inventory of an effluent or discharge). In addition, biological indicator data (eg SASS data), chlorophyll-a (eg phytoplankton and pe-riphyton data) and toxicity test data may be used. For each variable, a concentration range or response is linked to a class within a water re-source classification system, where classes range from minimally to severely modified.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
Applied aquatic ecotoxicology sub-lethal methods, whole effluent testing and communication
- Palmer, Carolyn G, Muller, Nikite W J, Davies-Coleman, Heather D
- Authors: Palmer, Carolyn G , Muller, Nikite W J , Davies-Coleman, Heather D
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , report
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/437785 , vital:73409 , ISBN 1-77005-252-6 , https://wrcwebsite.azurewebsites.net/wp-content/uploads/mdocs/1245-1-041.pdf
- Description: This report is the most recent in a series of WRC reports on the development of the capacity to undertake ecotoxicological research in South Africa. The development followed the following tines: • Recognition, as a result of the Kruger National Park Rivers Research Programme, that there were virtually no data on the water quality requirements of South African macroin vertebrates. • Development of the capacity to undertake experimental tolerance testing using riverine invertebrates in artificial stream systems. • Investigation of the salt tolerances, and whole effluent toxicity responses, of both standard toxicity test taxa and South African macroinverte-brates. • Development of both lethal and sub-lethal measures. • Application of re-search results to the development of methods for water quality within ecological Reserve determinations, and the implementation of the National Water Act (NWA) (No 36. of 1998) and National Water Resource Strategy (NWRS). The WRC is com-mitted to funding research that underpins the implementation of the NWA and the NWRS. Over the past 12 years it became clear that there would not be a rapid up-take of ecotoxicology research results in South Africa, and that it was important to place ecotoxicology in the wider context of water quality. From this recognition, the concept of Environmental Water Quality evolved.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2004
- Authors: Palmer, Carolyn G , Muller, Nikite W J , Davies-Coleman, Heather D
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , report
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/437785 , vital:73409 , ISBN 1-77005-252-6 , https://wrcwebsite.azurewebsites.net/wp-content/uploads/mdocs/1245-1-041.pdf
- Description: This report is the most recent in a series of WRC reports on the development of the capacity to undertake ecotoxicological research in South Africa. The development followed the following tines: • Recognition, as a result of the Kruger National Park Rivers Research Programme, that there were virtually no data on the water quality requirements of South African macroin vertebrates. • Development of the capacity to undertake experimental tolerance testing using riverine invertebrates in artificial stream systems. • Investigation of the salt tolerances, and whole effluent toxicity responses, of both standard toxicity test taxa and South African macroinverte-brates. • Development of both lethal and sub-lethal measures. • Application of re-search results to the development of methods for water quality within ecological Reserve determinations, and the implementation of the National Water Act (NWA) (No 36. of 1998) and National Water Resource Strategy (NWRS). The WRC is com-mitted to funding research that underpins the implementation of the NWA and the NWRS. Over the past 12 years it became clear that there would not be a rapid up-take of ecotoxicology research results in South Africa, and that it was important to place ecotoxicology in the wider context of water quality. From this recognition, the concept of Environmental Water Quality evolved.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2004
Early development of water quality methods and approaches in ecological Reserve assessments
- Palmer, Carolyn G, Scherman, Patricia, Muller, Nikite W J, Rossouw, J N, Malan, H L, Jooste, S
- Authors: Palmer, Carolyn G , Scherman, Patricia , Muller, Nikite W J , Rossouw, J N , Malan, H L , Jooste, S
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , report
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/437840 , vital:73416 , ISBN 1-77005-227-5 , https://wrcwebsite.azurewebsites.net/wp-content/uploads/mdocs/1108-1-041.pdf
- Description: This project was initiated in 2000 to allow the ecological Reserve team for water quality to undertake additional research while working on eco-logical Reserve determinations funded by the Department of Water Af-fairs and Forestry. The results of this work form the basis of the meth-ods reported in the Water Research Commission report Hughes DA (Ed)(in press).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2004
- Authors: Palmer, Carolyn G , Scherman, Patricia , Muller, Nikite W J , Rossouw, J N , Malan, H L , Jooste, S
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , report
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/437840 , vital:73416 , ISBN 1-77005-227-5 , https://wrcwebsite.azurewebsites.net/wp-content/uploads/mdocs/1108-1-041.pdf
- Description: This project was initiated in 2000 to allow the ecological Reserve team for water quality to undertake additional research while working on eco-logical Reserve determinations funded by the Department of Water Af-fairs and Forestry. The results of this work form the basis of the meth-ods reported in the Water Research Commission report Hughes DA (Ed)(in press).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2004
Environmental water quality in water resources management
- Palmer, Carolyn G, Berold, Robert, Muller, Nikite W J
- Authors: Palmer, Carolyn G , Berold, Robert , Muller, Nikite W J
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , report
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/437611 , vital:73397 , ISBN 1-77005-083-3 , https://wrcwebsite.azurewebsites.net/wp-content/uploads/mdocs/TT217-04.pdf
- Description: This book will help anyone working with water resources to make decisions about water quality, specifically environmental aspects of water quality. The book ex-plores the balance between water resource protection and water resource use, with a particular focus on water quality. A balance is necessary because the National Wa-ter Act (NWA) requires that water resources be protected and managed to meet the water quality requirements of ecosystems. At the same time the Act also requires that water be used for social and economic benefit.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2004
- Authors: Palmer, Carolyn G , Berold, Robert , Muller, Nikite W J
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , report
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/437611 , vital:73397 , ISBN 1-77005-083-3 , https://wrcwebsite.azurewebsites.net/wp-content/uploads/mdocs/TT217-04.pdf
- Description: This book will help anyone working with water resources to make decisions about water quality, specifically environmental aspects of water quality. The book ex-plores the balance between water resource protection and water resource use, with a particular focus on water quality. A balance is necessary because the National Wa-ter Act (NWA) requires that water resources be protected and managed to meet the water quality requirements of ecosystems. At the same time the Act also requires that water be used for social and economic benefit.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2004
The development of a toxicity database using freshwater macroinvertebrates, and its application to the protection of South African water resources
- Palmer, Carolyn G, Muller, Wilhelmine J, Gordon, Andrew K, Scherman, Patricia A, Davies-Coleman, Heather D, Pakhomova, L, de Kock, E
- Authors: Palmer, Carolyn G , Muller, Wilhelmine J , Gordon, Andrew K , Scherman, Patricia A , Davies-Coleman, Heather D , Pakhomova, L , de Kock, E
- Date: 2004
- Language: English
- Type: text , Article
- Identifier: vital:7073 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1009528
- Description: There is a growing international trend towards the protection of freshwater resources from pollution by imposing instream guidelines and specified waste-discharge conditions. Current methods for devising freshwater quality guidelines are based on species sensitivity distributions (SSDs) that are used to identify pollutant concentrations, ensuring the protection of a modelled percentage of species (95% protection is a common goal). SSDs are derived from the toxicity test results of as many taxa as possible for each polluting substance. Waste-discharge licences can be for single substances, specified in terms of chemical concentrations, and derived in conjunction with instream guidelines; or for complex mixtures, specified in terms of toxic units. In both cases toxicity test results are the core data used. The emphasis on SSDs calls into question the species constituting the test populations. It is likely that SSDs based in part on the responses of local organisms will achieve superior site-specific ecological protection. Until the early 1990s, there were very few data on the tolerances of South African freshwater organisms. In the intervening decade, the Unilever Centre for Environmental Water Quality at Rhodes University has developed a toxicity database that, to date, records the responses of 21 South African freshwater taxa to 26 single-substance pollutants or mixtures. This is the most comprehensive database of South African toxicity responses available and has been used in the drawing up of methods and guidelines to protect water resources. This paper aims to make these data available and to describe applications of the data using selected case studies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2004
- Authors: Palmer, Carolyn G , Muller, Wilhelmine J , Gordon, Andrew K , Scherman, Patricia A , Davies-Coleman, Heather D , Pakhomova, L , de Kock, E
- Date: 2004
- Language: English
- Type: text , Article
- Identifier: vital:7073 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1009528
- Description: There is a growing international trend towards the protection of freshwater resources from pollution by imposing instream guidelines and specified waste-discharge conditions. Current methods for devising freshwater quality guidelines are based on species sensitivity distributions (SSDs) that are used to identify pollutant concentrations, ensuring the protection of a modelled percentage of species (95% protection is a common goal). SSDs are derived from the toxicity test results of as many taxa as possible for each polluting substance. Waste-discharge licences can be for single substances, specified in terms of chemical concentrations, and derived in conjunction with instream guidelines; or for complex mixtures, specified in terms of toxic units. In both cases toxicity test results are the core data used. The emphasis on SSDs calls into question the species constituting the test populations. It is likely that SSDs based in part on the responses of local organisms will achieve superior site-specific ecological protection. Until the early 1990s, there were very few data on the tolerances of South African freshwater organisms. In the intervening decade, the Unilever Centre for Environmental Water Quality at Rhodes University has developed a toxicity database that, to date, records the responses of 21 South African freshwater taxa to 26 single-substance pollutants or mixtures. This is the most comprehensive database of South African toxicity responses available and has been used in the drawing up of methods and guidelines to protect water resources. This paper aims to make these data available and to describe applications of the data using selected case studies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2004
Riverine macroinvertebrate responses to chlorine and chlorinated sewage effluents-Acute chlorine tolerances of Baetis harrisoni (Ephemeroptera) from two rivers in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- Williams, M L, Palmer, Carolyn G, Gordon, Andrew K
- Authors: Williams, M L , Palmer, Carolyn G , Gordon, Andrew K
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , report
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/437990 , vital:73427 , ISBN 0378-4738 , https://wrcwebsite.azurewebsites.net/wp-content/uploads/mdocs/WaterSA_2003_04_19.pdf
- Description: Chlorine is widely used in South African sewage treatment works, and despite its volatility is likely to have a considerable impact on riverine ecosystems. This paper considers the results of acute (96 h) toxicity responses to chlorine of riverine mayfly nymphs Baetis harrisoni col-lected from the small, relatively uncontaminated suburban Westville Stream, KwaZulu-Natal and from the more severely impacted Umbilo River, which flows through the industrial area of Pinetown, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2003
- Authors: Williams, M L , Palmer, Carolyn G , Gordon, Andrew K
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , report
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/437990 , vital:73427 , ISBN 0378-4738 , https://wrcwebsite.azurewebsites.net/wp-content/uploads/mdocs/WaterSA_2003_04_19.pdf
- Description: Chlorine is widely used in South African sewage treatment works, and despite its volatility is likely to have a considerable impact on riverine ecosystems. This paper considers the results of acute (96 h) toxicity responses to chlorine of riverine mayfly nymphs Baetis harrisoni col-lected from the small, relatively uncontaminated suburban Westville Stream, KwaZulu-Natal and from the more severely impacted Umbilo River, which flows through the industrial area of Pinetown, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2003
Use of indigenous riverine invertebrates in applied toxicology and water resource-quality management
- Scherman, Patricia, Palmer, Carolyn G, Muller, Nikite W J
- Authors: Scherman, Patricia , Palmer, Carolyn G , Muller, Nikite W J
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , report
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/438061 , vital:73432 , ISBN 1-86845-962-4 , https://wrcwebsite.azurewebsites.net/wp-content/uploads/mdocs/955-1-03.pdf
- Description: The National Water Policy (DWAF, 1997). and the National Water Act (No 36 of 1998)(NWA) provide the legal and management context for the application of results. The law and the policy are founded on the concepts of equity (fairness of access to water and water services) and sustainability (the opportunity to optimally use water resources now and into the future)(NWA, l (l)(xviii)(b)). The concept of sustainability is based on the understanding that on earth water comes packaged in aquatic ecosystems, and that the product, water, is intimately related to and affected by the structure and functioning of these ecosys-tems.(Aquatic ecosystems include rivers, lakes, wetlands, aquifers and estuaries. Impoundments act as artificial lakes connected to river sys-tems.) A key recognition during the development of the policy and the NWA was that" the environment" does not compete with users for re-sources-the environment (in this case aquatic ecosystems) is the re-source. Therefore a key poiicy of DWAF is that vi resource protection in order to achieve sustainable resource use. Resource protection is achieved through the implementation of resource directed measures (RDM) and source directed controls (SDC).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2003
Use of indigenous riverine invertebrates in applied toxicology and water resource-quality management
- Authors: Scherman, Patricia , Palmer, Carolyn G , Muller, Nikite W J
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , report
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/438061 , vital:73432 , ISBN 1-86845-962-4 , https://wrcwebsite.azurewebsites.net/wp-content/uploads/mdocs/955-1-03.pdf
- Description: The National Water Policy (DWAF, 1997). and the National Water Act (No 36 of 1998)(NWA) provide the legal and management context for the application of results. The law and the policy are founded on the concepts of equity (fairness of access to water and water services) and sustainability (the opportunity to optimally use water resources now and into the future)(NWA, l (l)(xviii)(b)). The concept of sustainability is based on the understanding that on earth water comes packaged in aquatic ecosystems, and that the product, water, is intimately related to and affected by the structure and functioning of these ecosys-tems.(Aquatic ecosystems include rivers, lakes, wetlands, aquifers and estuaries. Impoundments act as artificial lakes connected to river sys-tems.) A key recognition during the development of the policy and the NWA was that" the environment" does not compete with users for re-sources-the environment (in this case aquatic ecosystems) is the re-source. Therefore a key poiicy of DWAF is that vi resource protection in order to achieve sustainable resource use. Resource protection is achieved through the implementation of resource directed measures (RDM) and source directed controls (SDC).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2003
Some For All Forever: Water Ecosystems and People
- Palmer, Carolyn G, Berold, Robert, Muller, Nikite W J, Scherman, Patricia
- Authors: Palmer, Carolyn G , Berold, Robert , Muller, Nikite W J , Scherman, Patricia
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , report
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/437599 , vital:73396 , ISBN 1 86845 850 4 , https://wrcwebsite.azurewebsites.net/wp-content/uploads/mdocs/TT 176 complete.pdf
- Description: Water for people and people for water. We need water and water needs us. That is what this book is about. Water is the basis of all life. No plant, animal or person on earth can survive without it. In fact, all organisms are mostly made up of water. Wa-ter shapes the earth’s surface. It is a fundamental part of climate processes. Out in the natural world, water is not found in taps, buckets and glasses but in rivers, wet-lands, lakes, dams, estuaries, groundwater and the sea. It falls from the sky as rain, runs off the landscape, filters into the soil, flows to the sea in rivers, is stored in dams, evaporates into the sky, and rains back onto the earth. This is the water cycle. People need water for all sorts of things, for drinking, washing, cooking, growing food, in industries, and to dilute and transport wastes. But in the process of using water, people can damage rivers, wetlands, lakes and other watery places. Dam-aged ecosystems do not work very well and may fail us when we need them most. The message of this book is – look after water in the places where it is naturally found – look after water and water ecosystems because you need them so much.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
- Authors: Palmer, Carolyn G , Berold, Robert , Muller, Nikite W J , Scherman, Patricia
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , report
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/437599 , vital:73396 , ISBN 1 86845 850 4 , https://wrcwebsite.azurewebsites.net/wp-content/uploads/mdocs/TT 176 complete.pdf
- Description: Water for people and people for water. We need water and water needs us. That is what this book is about. Water is the basis of all life. No plant, animal or person on earth can survive without it. In fact, all organisms are mostly made up of water. Wa-ter shapes the earth’s surface. It is a fundamental part of climate processes. Out in the natural world, water is not found in taps, buckets and glasses but in rivers, wet-lands, lakes, dams, estuaries, groundwater and the sea. It falls from the sky as rain, runs off the landscape, filters into the soil, flows to the sea in rivers, is stored in dams, evaporates into the sky, and rains back onto the earth. This is the water cycle. People need water for all sorts of things, for drinking, washing, cooking, growing food, in industries, and to dilute and transport wastes. But in the process of using water, people can damage rivers, wetlands, lakes and other watery places. Dam-aged ecosystems do not work very well and may fail us when we need them most. The message of this book is – look after water in the places where it is naturally found – look after water and water ecosystems because you need them so much.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
The use of Daphnia spp. and indigenous river invertebrates in whole effluent toxicity testing in the Vaal Catchment.
- Muller, Nikite W J, Palmer, Carolyn G
- Authors: Muller, Nikite W J , Palmer, Carolyn G
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , report
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/438048 , vital:73431 , ISBN 1 86845 855 5 , https://wrcwebsite.azurewebsites.net/wp-content/uploads/mdocs/815-1-02.pdf
- Description: Freshwater is vital to societal, and environmental, well-being and any changes in the distribution, abundance and quality of water resources and ecosystems are detrimental to this societal and environmental sus-tainability. Increasing socio-economic activities world-wide have been accompanied by increased pollution stress on the aquatic environment. The need for improved efficiency in water quality management is urgent and immediate and it is important that policy to manage freshwater sys-tems is underpinned by sound science. Strategies to manage receiving water quality have been implemented world-wide and include chemical monitoring, biological monitoring and toxicological assessments, all of which are supported by on-going research. Water quality management in South Africa has come a long way since 1919, when it was first promulgated (Union Health Act 36 of 1919; van der Merwe and Grobler, 1990) but only included sewage effluent. Later amendments broadened water quality management to include effluent discharge from industry, mining and storm-water runoff. However, despite these and uniform, and general, effluent standards (UES), as well as DWAFs recognition of the need for integrated water resource management, water quality in the resources continue to deteriorate (DWAF, 1995; Basson etal 1997).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
- Authors: Muller, Nikite W J , Palmer, Carolyn G
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , report
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/438048 , vital:73431 , ISBN 1 86845 855 5 , https://wrcwebsite.azurewebsites.net/wp-content/uploads/mdocs/815-1-02.pdf
- Description: Freshwater is vital to societal, and environmental, well-being and any changes in the distribution, abundance and quality of water resources and ecosystems are detrimental to this societal and environmental sus-tainability. Increasing socio-economic activities world-wide have been accompanied by increased pollution stress on the aquatic environment. The need for improved efficiency in water quality management is urgent and immediate and it is important that policy to manage freshwater sys-tems is underpinned by sound science. Strategies to manage receiving water quality have been implemented world-wide and include chemical monitoring, biological monitoring and toxicological assessments, all of which are supported by on-going research. Water quality management in South Africa has come a long way since 1919, when it was first promulgated (Union Health Act 36 of 1919; van der Merwe and Grobler, 1990) but only included sewage effluent. Later amendments broadened water quality management to include effluent discharge from industry, mining and storm-water runoff. However, despite these and uniform, and general, effluent standards (UES), as well as DWAFs recognition of the need for integrated water resource management, water quality in the resources continue to deteriorate (DWAF, 1995; Basson etal 1997).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002