Water Resources

In South Africa, we face very real water supply concerns, that will affect our future economic development potential. At every university and school, and in every home, office or organisation, it is essential that consumers of water become more responsible in the way they use this limited resource. We need to think innovatively about new ways of reducing water demand - outside of the traditional engineering solutions of infrastructure development - if we want to see ongoing economic growth and healthy freshwater ecosystems. Find out more from a variety of water-related organisations or services.

Grahamstown, Eastern Cape:

• Grahamstown water supply: find out more about Grahamstown's water quality and supplies:

  • Latest 2012 Blue Drop Report 

  • Previous reports under 'Resources' - 'Local': Water Supply

• Institute for Water research: conducts research on water quality and associated issues with the aim of contributing to the understanding and sustainable water resource management. The IWR also provides a capacity building service.

• Kowie Catchment Campaign: a community environmental initiative led by volunteers that aims to improve care for the health of the Kowie Catchment and its community.
  

• Grahamstown Rainfall and Weather patterns play a significant role in water supply dam levels.

• Makana Water Indaba (14-15 September 2010) aimed to collate stakeholder inputs and concerns, to inform the development of a final proposal and business plan for sourcing funding and other resources required for implementation. Thus far, the following document has been released by DTIS: Makana Water Action Plan

• VC's water forum: on 8 March 2010, a debate about Grahamstown's water quality left unanswered questions and little clarity on the way forward.

Are you worried about water quality? The following documents provide clear guidelines regarding what constitutes potable water and how it should be correctly managed:

Drinking Water Quality Framework: Pages 24 & 46 outline the steps to be taken if water quality results indicate that a water supply poses a health risk. This is backed by Compulsory National Standards for the Quality of Potable Water (2001, Regulation 5 of Section 9 of the Water Services Act) - which requires that Water Services Authorities "implement drinking water quality monitoring programmes to monitor, improve and report on drinking water service delivery". The suggested minimum frequency of sampling for a town the size of Grahamstown is 10 times a month, according to the Table A.1 on page 57.

• Water Services Act Section 9: The Dept of Water Affairs' specifications for potable water are clearly outlined on page 4 of the Regulations for Potable Water.

National (South Africa):

• Department of Water Affairs - report leaks or abuse of water resources toll free: 0800 200 200

• Drinking Water Quality Toolkit provided by ADAC.

• Free water systems

• WWF Water Neutral Scheme: to balance our water demand with the available water supply.

• Water Environment Transformation: read about WET-Africa's human rights based approach (HRBA) to water-related issues: WET CGI commitment

Global

• Centre for Development and Enterprise: Water: a Looming Crisis?

• National Geographic Freshwater Initiative: inspiring and empowering us to conserve freshwater and all living things that rely on it.

• World Water Day events.

Want to TAKE ACTION?

Go to the Rhodes University ENVIRONMENT front page. Suggestions/Questions? Contact environment(at)ru.ac.za