Sanitation MDG: the Race Is on ��

ISSN 0258-2244 March/April 2008 Volume 7 No 2 Sanitation MDG: The race is on �� Table of contents 3 LETTERS 4 UPFRONT 5 SANITATION 14 International Year of Sanitation SANITATION 16 Can SA lay claim to a ‘sanitary revolution’? ISSN 0258-2244 March/April 2008 Volume 7 No 2 WETLANDS 21 From wetland to waste land – Human activities threaten Gauteng treasure EDCs 24 The ABC of EDCs: Global concern spurs researchers into action WATER TREATMENT PLANTS 28 New guidebook helps find better treatment solutions IWRM 30 The business of compulsory licensing Sanitation MDG: The race is on SERVICE DELIVERY 32 Survey shows good progress in RDP principles Cover: Africa’s sanitation ministers gathered in Johannesburg SANITATION 34 to discuss ways of accelerating African ministers unite in fight against backlogs sanitation service delivery (See page 16). WATER KIDZ 36 Washing hands can save your life THE LAST WORD 38 DWAF/WRC alliance strengthened THE WATER WHEEL is a two-monthly magazine on water and water research published by the South African Water Research Commission (WRC), a statutory organisation established in 1971 by Act of Parliament. Subscription is free. Material in this publication does not necessarily reflect the considered opinions of the members of the WRC, and may be copied with acknow ledgement of source. Editorial offices: Water Research Commission, Private Bag X03, Gezina, 0031, Republic of South Africa. Tel (012) 330-9031. Fax (012) 331-2565. WRC Internet address: http://www.wrc.org.za Editor: Lani van Vuuren, E-mail: [email protected]; Editorial Secretary: Rina Human, E-mail: [email protected]; Layout: Drinie van Rensburg, E-mail: [email protected] The Water Wheel March/April 2008 4 Letters LETTERS TO THE EDITOR SA laws lagging behind High levels of nitrates lead to conception and In view of the pending water crisis I find it pregnancy problems in mammals, including strange that the use of grey water i.e. bath, humans. washing and shower water to irrigate gardens Other problems relate to the absence of is strictly forbidden by most municipalities in Cryptosporidium testing in the SANS 241. Crypto sporidium testing is compulsory in the South Africa. On the other hand, in Melbourne, (2002) edition 5 by removing the class ‘O’ sec- USA. Several major outbreaks have occurred Australia, householders are encouraged to tion. Rand Water continuously run auto analysis notably in the USA in 1993 when 100 people harvest grey water and rain water by means of and maintain the old class ‘O’ standard. died and 300 000 were hospitalised. The latest a state subsidy of up to A$1 500 to assist in No facts are given concerning the inorganic outbreak in the west of Ireland affected 70 000 installing the necessary equipment and visually parameters such as calcium, magnesium, homes. The common reason given for not test- friendly storage tanks. Duel flush toilets are also cadmium, cobalt and vanadium which are criti- ing is the cost. Compare this with hospitalisa- mandatory. cal in South Africa and included in our standard. tion expenses. In South Africa regulations stipulate that: As an example cadmium, which is a worse toxin Then, the article on page 23 of the Janu- all discharge from any sanitary fixture, which than lead, has a maximum of 10 micrograms ary/February edition (Mercury Levels in SA includes washing machines, showers, basins, per litre. However, some of the boreholes in Water Resources Probed) refers specifically etc., must be disposed of into the water-borne Johannesburg are showing toxic levels of two to mercury. I am now retired but for over 20 sewage disposal available. That is the municipal milligrams per litre. years I have regularly had mercury determined sewerage connection provided. Chemical oxygen demand has fallen away in potable water by SANS approved laboratories Although municipalities are aware of private and is not mentioned. Dissolved organic carbon for this element. At least three laboratories are use of grey water, its disposal or use for irriga- has replaced this old para meter but it does not capable of this evaluation in South Africa. tion does not comply with national building allow for non organic oxydisable parameters in It is agreed that mercury is a major prob- regulations; therefore the discharge of grey water the water, such as sulphides, sulphur, ferrous lem, but far more serious is cadmium, which is to a garden can not be specified for approval by iron. These are continuously found in South rising rapidly. It would appear that whenever old the local municipalities’ building department as Africa as a result of mine drainage. mine (rock) dumps are disturbed, mercury/lead/ the applications would be refused. Nor will The present standards for South Africa in cadmium all rise rapidly. building inspectors issue occupation certificates terms of Tables 1 and 2, are tabulated and also It would be of far more use if the full spread once building work is completed should they show the old standard. All figures are the maxi- of toxic elements were determined in this find out that the drainage installation does not mum for the given parameter. High levels of programme and local resources used instead of comply with the SABS regulation. magnesium in drinking water have been shown costly overseas laboratories. One again we are caught napping. Our to cause behavioural problems in humans. authorities warn us of a pending crisis, but they Waterwatcher persist in hanging on to antiquated legislation. Table 1: For heavens sake let’s get our act together. Determined Unit NL max SABS 241 SANS241 SANS 241 SA max as Furthermore I notice from TV coverage that limit 2002 Class 1 max Class II Given in at all meetings involving Eskom and various Class ‘O’ max Max report governmental authorities there is invariably a Aluminium µg/ℓ 200 150 300 500 300 Ammonia µg/ℓ 200 200 1000 2000 1000 bottle of bottled water in front of every delegate. Antimony µg/ℓ 5 5 10 50 10 Is this because the authorities don’t trust our Arsenic µg/ℓ 10 10 10 50 10 municipal water or are they totally unaware of Bromate µg/ℓ 1 - - -- the electricity, raw materials and disposal Chromium µg/ℓ 50 250 100 500 100 Copper mg/ℓ 2 0.5 1 2 1 costs of hundreds, if not thousands, of these Iron µg/ℓ 200 10 200 2000 200 unnecessary items? Lead µg/ℓ 10 10 20 50 20 Dennis Toens, Somerset West Manganese µg/ℓ 50 50 100 1000 100 Mercury µg/ℓ 1 1 1 5 1 Nickel µg/ℓ 20 50 150 350 150 Articles shows SA in poor Sodium mg/ℓ 150 100 200 400 200 light Zinc mg/ℓ 3 3 5 10 5 The article on pages 24 to 27 of the January/ Chloride mg/ℓ 150 100 200 600 200 Cyanide µg/ℓ 50 30 50 70 50 February 2008 edition of the Water Wheel (SA Fluoride mg/ℓ 1.1 0.7 1 1.5 1 Drinking Water Standards Under the Micro- Sulphate mg/ℓ 150 200 400 600 400 scope) shows South Africa in a very poor Selenium µg/ℓ 10 10 20 50 20 light, particularly Rand Water. The maximum Nitrate mg/ℓ 50 26 ) 44 ) 88 ) 10 Nitrite mg/ℓ 0.1 ) ) ) 10 limits given in Tables 1 and 2 of this article Magnesium mg/ℓ - 30 70 100 - are incorrect. The actual figures are shown in Cadmium µg/ℓ - 3 5 10 - SANS241 Class II max. We should remember Cobalt µg/ℓ - 250 500 1000

Load more