Botswana-SA Water Quality Baseline Report 2013 (Limpopo River Basin)
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BOTSWANA-SOUTH AFRICA Joint Water Quality Project Supported by Resilience in the Limpopo Basin Program JOINT WATER QUALITY BASELINE REPORT LLIIMMPPOOPPOO BBAASSIINN BBEETTWWEEEENN TTHHEE RREEPPUUBBLLIICCSS OOFF BBOOTTSSWWAANNAA AANNDD SSOOUUTTHH AAFFRRIICCAA FINAL 22001111//22001122 Joint Water Quality Baseline Report for Limpopo Basin between Botswana and South Africa 2011/12 Department of Water Affairs: Botswana Department of Water Affairs: South Africa DOCUMENT VERSION CONTROL Title: Joint Water Quality Baseline Report for Limpopo Basin between Botswana and South Africa Date: August 2013 Authors: DWA Botswana DWA South Africa Reviewers: Participating beneficiaries: DWA Botswana DWA South Africa Department of Environmental Affairs, South Africa LIMCOM Dissemination level: Open for distribution Nature: Not confidential Version: Version 4.0 Status: Final Report i | P a g e F i n a l Joint Water Quality Baseline Report for Limpopo Basin between Botswana and South Africa 2011/12 Department of Water Affairs: Botswana Department of Water Affairs: South Africa TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .................................................................................................................................... 4 LIST OF STAKEHOLDERS CONSULTED ......................................................................................................... 5 ACRONYMS ......................................................................................................................................................... 6 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................................................................................... 7 1 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................ 10 2 BACKGROUND .......................................................................................................................................... 11 2.1 Limpopo River Basin .......................................................................................................................... 11 2.1.1 Demographics ................................................................................................................................. 11 2.1.2 Status of Water Use ........................................................................................................................ 12 2.1.3 Potential Sources of Water Pollution .............................................................................................. 12 2.2 Water Quality Management ................................................................................................................ 12 2.3 Water Hyacinth ................................................................................................................................... 13 2.3.1 Description ...................................................................................................................................... 13 2.3.2 Water Hyacinth Control in the Limpopo Basin .............................................................................. 13 2.3.3 Key Considerations in the Control of Water Hyacinth ................................................................... 14 3 THE 2011/12 JOINT WATER QUALITY SURVEY .................................................................................. 15 3.1 Objectives Of The Joint Survey .......................................................................................................... 15 3.2 Scope and Limitations of the Joint Survey .......................................................................................... 15 3.3 Parameters Analysed ........................................................................................................................... 15 3.3.1 Electrical Conductivity (EC)........................................................................................................... 15 3.3.2 Dissolved Oxygen (DO) ................................................................................................................. 15 3.3.3 pH ................................................................................................................................................... 15 3.3.4 Turbidity ......................................................................................................................................... 16 3.3.5 Total Dissolved Solids .................................................................................................................... 16 3.3.6 Nitrates ............................................................................................................................................ 16 3.3.7 Phosphate ........................................................................................................................................ 16 3.3.8 Potassium ........................................................................................................................................ 16 3.3.9 Calcium ........................................................................................................................................... 16 3.3.10 Magnesium ................................................................................................................................. 16 3.3.11 Sodium ....................................................................................................................................... 16 3.3.12 Iron ............................................................................................................................................. 17 3.3.13 Manganese .................................................................................................................................. 17 3.3.14 Copper ........................................................................................................................................ 17 1 | P a g e F i n a l Joint Water Quality Baseline Report for Limpopo Basin between Botswana and South Africa 2011/12 Department of Water Affairs: Botswana Department of Water Affairs: South Africa 3.3.15 Lead ............................................................................................................................................ 17 3.4 Methodology ....................................................................................................................................... 18 3.4.1 Sampling Period .............................................................................................................................. 18 3.4.2 Methods Used for Collection and Analysis of Samples .................................................................. 18 3.4.3 Standards ........................................................................................................................................ 19 3.4.4 Aquatic Vegetation ......................................................................................................................... 19 3.5 Joint Water Quality Monitoring Sites ................................................................................................. 20 3.5.1 Criteria Applied .............................................................................................................................. 20 3.5.2 Location and Description of Sites ................................................................................................... 20 4 FINDINGS AND ANALYSIS OF THE 2011/12 JOINT FIELD SURVEYS ............................................. 24 4.1 Physico-Chemical Parameters ............................................................................................................. 25 4.2 Heavy Metals ...................................................................................................................................... 32 5 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ....................................................................................... 35 6 PROPOSED ACTION PLAN ...................................................................................................................... 37 6.1 Six-Point Short-To-Medium Term Action Plan .................................................................................. 37 6.2 Long-Term Action Plan ...................................................................................................................... 38 7 REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................................. 39 8 ANNEXURES .............................................................................................................................................. 40 Annexure 1: Detailed River Water Quality Results .......................................................................................... 40 Annexure 2: Presence of Aquatic Plants ........................................................................................................... 46 Annexure 3: Applied Standards ........................................................................................................................ 49 Annexure 4: Pictures of Sampling Sites ........................................................................................................... 52 Annexure 5: Profile of Limpopo River Basin between Botswana and South Africa ........................................ 54 List of Tables Table 1: Applicable Standards