1ST QUARTER APRIL-JUNE 2019 BGCMANEWS

WATER USE AUTHORISATION WHY IS MICROBIAL BGCMA CELEBRATES 2019 REGISTRATION MANAGEMENT MONITORING IMPORTANT? WATER WEEK SYSTEM (WARMS) 02 05 06 Minister , New Head for Department of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation n 29 May 2019, President Cyril hence the department is now called Ramaphosa announced his new Department of Human Settlements, Ocabinet and Hon Minister Lindiwe Water and Sanitation with two Deputy Sisulu has been appointed as a new Ministers (Ms Pam Tshwete-Human Minister for Human Settlements, Water Settlements and Mr - and Sanitation. Water and Sanitation). The president has reduced the Minister Sisulu is very experienced and size of the cabinet and government has been heading different portfolios departments by reducing the number of and knows government operations very ministers from 36 to 28. This reduction well. has seen the Department of Water Her appointment is thus warmly and Sanitation being merged with the welcomed by all including the Breede- Department of Human Settlements, Gouritz CMA.

Why is Microbial Monitoring important? By Fabion Smith here have been rapid and extensive that result in high runoff after rainfall may cause infections in some sensitive demographic changes in South events (and hence contamination of groups. Up to 100 counts per 100mm TAfrica in recent decades. With surface waters) are also considered. There will commonly cause infections, even numerous dense settlements (both formal is only a health risk when people are after a single consumption. It is clear and informal), increasing urbanisation actually exposed to faecal contaminated that even very low concentrations can be and other factors, ’s water water. Particularly sensitive water uses significantly problematic. resources are coming under increasing include drinking of untreated or partially Although the primary responsibility threat from faecal contamination. Many treated surface waters. Full or partial rests with DWS, the regional concerned areas still lack appropriate sanitation external contact with water (such as parties that can benefit from a local facilities. Using contaminated water from swimming or washing) also exposes monitoring programme must be for drinking, recreation or irrigation people to significant health risk. The identified and approached. These include, poses serious health risks. In particular, irrigation of crops that are ultimately among others, the Department of Health, contracting such waterborne diseases as eaten raw (like lettuce and tomatoes) is Catchment Management Agencies, gastroenteritis, salmonellosis, dysentery, likewise a serious problem. Water User Associations as well as major cholera, typhoid fever and hepatitis, Most waterborne diseases are industries. Ideally, their involvement becomes increasingly likely. caused by pathogens associated should be a ‘win-win’ situation. By using Land uses that can result in significant with faecal contamination of water. the presence of faecal coliforms as an faecal pollution include settlements that However, pathogens excreted into indicator of recent faecal pollution, have no sanitation infrastructure or one water from healthy skin or hair, wounds, Microbial Monitoring Programmes not that is inadequate. Intensive livestock urine, mucus, saliva, etc. can also be only help prevent disease associated farming without sound waste handling transmitted, particularly by recreational with faecal coliforms but will also help practices is also problematic. Settlements exposure. Some waterborne pathogens prevent outbreaks of cholera. are excreted by healthy carriers (i.e. infected persons, in many cases children, who show no clinical symptoms of disease). The risk of infection is greatest when the contaminated water is used for drinking purposes. According to the Water Research Commission, the guidelines for faecal coliforms (which are used as indicator organisms) note GIS official, Masibulele Makala taking samples for microbial that less than 10 counts per 100mm A vandalized manhole with threat of faecal contamination. analysis.

BGCMANEWS 2 1 ST QUARTER APRIL - JUNE 2019 Aquaponics Farming Sustainable model for food production

he Suurbraak Aquaponic Farming During it’s pilot stages the project will Project is an innovative and Aquaponics concentrate on growing salad vegetables Tsustainable water farming system such as different lettuce, rocket and combining hydroponics and aqua- is thus a spinach along with tomatoes and culture. cucumber. Funded by the Breede-Gouritz sustainable Once it shows promise and success in Catchment Management Centre being able to support the five community (BGCMC), the project was developed water farming members, then more modules can be and is being managed by the Trust for added to expand the project to grow and Community Outreach and Education system. harvest more crops. (TCOE) and Mawubuye Land Rights Talapia fish will be used in the project. Forum. The project has taken seven months These will also be farmed for commercial Hydroponics involves growing crops to set up. The aim of the project is to sale as well and is being seen as an with their roots only in water and not develop a sustainable farming method important protein source that can be in soil. Aqua-culture is the growing and that can provide income generation as supplied to the local community. farming of fish. well. Five community members will be The farm is located in the small town When the two are combined into skilled and trained to manage the farm of Suurbraak in the Western Cape, and an aquaponics project, fish is used to as an income generating project where is situated on land adjacent to the fertilize the water and replenish nutrients they can sell and supply fresh produce to municipal camping site. for the crops. local businesses and supermarkets. In conventional farming systems the use of water is extensive. Water is needed For more information about the project and its produce please contact to irrigate crops but it runs-off and Reinette Heunes on 083 402 2150 dissipates into the soil, requiring new water for irrigation every time. However, with aquaponics you have a recirculating water system. You have one water source that fills the system. This water is cleaned and re- used. The only input required is new water to occasionally top-up due to water loss resulting from plant growth.

BGCMANEWS 1 ST QUARTER APRIL - JUNE 2019 3 BGCMA holds stakeholder engagements to discuss proposed tariffs for the 2020/21 financial year

Members of Water Users Associations making their contributions to the presentation.

he Breede-Gouritz Catchment hearings that will be announced at a later challenges the various stakeholders face Management Agency hosted stage. and the significance of tariff regulation Ta Stakeholders’ Consultative The proposed raw water charges look thereof. meetings on proposed Water Use and at water resource infrastructure charges The proposed tariff hikes for Water Water Infrastructure Charges for the and irrigation charges hence all water Resource Infrastructure for both 2020/21 financial year. user associations are encouraged to industrial and domestic users range from The aims of these meetings is to attend these meetings. 0% to 16.5%. ensure that the BGCMA brings forth Stakeholders raised important issues The meetings were held in different transparency to the water users, that for consideration prior to the finalisation, areas of the BGWMA to ensure that all they understand and are aware of the approval and implementation of the stakeholders are included in the process impeding changes in tariffs and that they proposed water use charges. and also take forward their inputs to the become comfortable in making their It is crucial therefore that the tariffs be tariffs. inputs to be tabled during the National discussed because they also reflect on the

BGCMANEWS 4 1 ST QUARTER APRIL - JUNE 2019 BGCMA celebrates 2019 Water Week By Eben Saal

t was all fun and games for learners either at home, school or at work in in the Breede Gouritz areas when ISR order to save water. The aim was to share Iteam members, supported by other some practices and create some members of the BGCMA staff, visited awareness about the importance of some local schools as part of Water Week saving water. During these visits it was 2019. also reiterated by BGCMA staff members Water Liaison Officers, supported by that it is everyone’s responsibility to save other BGCMA members of staff shared water. some valuable water saving tips with Participants, eagerly shared some learners, teachers and also supporting useful water saving tips amongst each staff at local schools. other and promised to from now onward This was done through interactive start doing their part in order to help activities where opportunity was also to save water. Pamphlets with useful created for some of them to share some information on water saving tips in their tips on what they are already doing mother tongue was also distributed.

BGCMANEWS 1 ST QUARTER APRIL - JUNE 2019 5 Water Use Authorisation Registration Management System (WARMS)

What is Water Use Registration? Who must register their water use? Act. This includes the following Registration comprises the asking and All water users who are using water activities: answering of 6 basic questions: for agriculture, aquaculture, irrigation, • Section 21(e) – engaging in 1. Who are you? watering livestock, industrial, mining, a controlled activity defined 2. Where are you? (This relates to power generation, recreation, urban and as such in Section 37(1), with where the water user may be water supply service must register their specific reference to irrigation contacted i.e. contact details / water use. This covers the use of surface of any land with waste or water postal address & physical address) and ground water. Other water uses containing waste generated 3. How much water are you using? which must be registered include: through any industrial activity /how much waste loads are you 4 Diversion of rivers and streams; or by a water work. discharging? 4 Storage. Any person or body • Section 21(f) – discharging 4. What are you using it for? (This storing water for any purpose waste or water containing relates to water use sectors and in (including irrigation, domestic waste into a water resource the case of waste ‘where was the supply, industrial use, mining, through a pipe, canal or other waste generated from) aqua culture, fishing, water conduit. 5. Where are you using it? (This sport, aesthetic value, gardening, • Section 21(g) – disposing of relates to where the water use is landscaping, golfing, etc) from waste in a manner which may situated (i.e. taking place): Water surface runoff, groundwater or detrimentally impact on a management area, Quaternary fountain flow in excess of 10 000 water resource. drainage region, Latitude & cubic meters; • Section 21(h) – disposing in Longitude, Property) 4 Stream flow reduction activities any manner of water which 6. Where are you obtaining (Afforestation). All afforestation contains waste from, or which your water or where are you (tree planting) for commercial has been heated in, any discharging it purposes, including communal industrial or power generation forestry for commercial gain, that process. Registration of water use is compulsory took place prior to 1972, must be • Section 21(j) – removing, to all the authorization types’ namely registered. discharging or disposing of general authorizations, license, and 4 Local authorities and other bulk water found underground if existing lawful water use. It is not suppliers (water boards); it is necessary for the efficient mandatory to register a schedule 1 water 4 Controlled Activities, such as continuation of an activity or use. irrigating with waste, power for the safety of people. For a complete water use registration, generation, atmospheric a Part 1 form (water user information)/ modification or recharging an N.B. Should you need more clarity on Part 2 form (water use information) and aquifer; how to register, do not hesitate to visit us various supplementary form (property 4 Discharges of waste or water in the office. Our officers will gladly assist and property information etc.) are containing waste in terms of you. required. section 21 of the National Water

BGCMANEWS 6 1 ST QUARTER APRIL - JUNE 2019 BGCMANEWS 1 ST QUARTER APRIL - JUNE 2019 7 BGCMA wishes you all many more years to come….

05APRIL 13APRIL 16APRIL

Natasha Jailers John Sibanyoni Carlo Abrahams

16APRIL 06MAY 01JUNE

Philisiwe Ntanzi Elkerine Rossouw Coreen Rautenbach

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BGCMANEWS 8 1 ST QUARTER APRIL - JUNE 2019