Adopt a River How Development Impacts on the Liesbeek the River Health Programme Liesbeek Maintaenaince Project Report

A Publication of the South African Water Sector Civil Society

| March 2012 |

Adopt a River How Development impacts on the Liesbeek The River Health Programme Liesbeek Maintaenaince Project Report

CSO March 2012 The role that civil society play at a community level is crucial and contributes towards the Department of Water Affairs responsibility to protect and conserve water resources and involve local communities. It is also the responsibility of communities through the civil society groups to look after water resources.

This edition of the newsletter is a continuation of the commitment the Department has made towards the showcasing and marketing Civil Society work and contribution to the sector.

This second CSO newsletter has profiled the successful stories and shared experiences done by Civil Society jointly with the Department in protecting water resources, and the THEME is “RIVER HEALTH PROGRAM”.

For more information the newsletter, please can contact:

Miss Unathi Mila Civil Society Organisation: National Coordinator Department of Water affairs Tel: 012 336 7177 Email: [email protected]

CSO March 2012 Adopt A RiverWestern Cape

Background • Promoting a volunteerism ethic An initiative to create awareness in South Africa to benefit all levels amongst all South Africans of the need of society and as encouraged to care for our scarce water resources by the United Nations. and to facilitate their participation in the protection and management of these A phased approach has been followed resources was raised in Parliament to develop the programme. Phase 1 in 2006. Parliament wanted to know “be part of the was the initiation and development from officials of DWAF whether South prevention and of a strategic framework document. Africa’s rivers are healthy and fit for Phase 2 was the development of use. Some members of Parliament problem solving” an Implementation Plan and Phase volunteered to adopt a river and act 3 is the pilot implementation of the as patron for that river. This was done resources. Specific objectives include: Programme in selected Rivers. to foster public participation in the protection and management of our • Empowering all water users to Implementation rivers and also as a sign of their own protect their water resources Phase 3 has been launched by the commitment. Therefore, Adopt a River and participate in water resource Deputy Minister during Water week Programme was born. management; in Stellenbosch with the adoption • Facilitating the involvement of the Eerste River by Stellenbosch The Adopt a River Programme aims to of patrons and sponsors in Municipality as well as the Cape play a vital role in encouraging citizens stakeholder empowerment and Winelands District Municipality. A to learn about water resources and water resource management stakeholder forum is in place – chaired become involved in the protection and strategies; by Department of Water Affairs (DWA) management of these resources in (Ms W Kloppers) and operational their particular area. • Developing and making task teams are coordinated by the Once awareness of the water resource available the necessary tools for operational manager – Adv Hanlie (and its benefits and problems) is training and empowering local Linde from Stellenbosch Municipality. created, stakeholders (including role-players; volunteers) can gain knowledge and Various Adopt a River initiatives already insight into the causes of the problems • Ensuring optimum effectiveness, exist in the Western Cape, notably in affecting the quality of the water through involvement and the Gouritz Water Management Area resources in their particular area. They linkages with other existing (WMA) (Southern Cape) with the Eden will then be able to act as watchdogs, programmes and initiatives District Municipality (David Papier and but also be part of the prevention and aimed at water resource Emmy Douglas from Eden DM) since problem solving group for the specific protection and management. 2005. The project is a collaborative water resources in their area. It will also These include the River Health venture between Eden District enable them to realistically evaluate Monitoring Programme; as well Municipality, Department of Water service delivery and hold the relevant as other monitoring programmes Affairs (DWA), Cape Nature and the authority responsible where there is conducted by various Department of Education and involves a lack of implementation of proper institutions including local and a number of schools and Rivers in the services as well as environmental district municipalities, academic area. and water resource management and scientific institutions and legislation. other provincial and national There are also other Adopt-a-River Government Departments. initiatives currently in the initiation Aim and objectives phase: The linkages also include The main aim of the Adopt a those being established o Grabouw, Klipdrift River with River programme is to create an between communities and Waterwise Women, Theewaterskloof understanding among all water the local authority responsible Municipality, department of Agriculture users and in particular the previously for services provision and the & other stakeholders. Initial meeting marginalized communities of the inclusion of water resource held with stakeholders and Adopt- concepts of integrated water resource management in Water Service a-River pledge signed. Project to management to encourage them development Plans (WSDPs) commence in 2011. to become actively involved in the and Integrated development protection and management of these Plans (IDPs). o Preliminary discussions being held with schools in Paarl and Franschhoek 3 areas.

CSO March 2012 Adopt A River Program in the Eastern Cape by Department of Water Affairs” Eastern Cape Name of coordinator: Unathi Makati-Tshayingca

The Adopt a River Program is an who dump next to their areas taken during the “Adopt-A-River” initiative of the Department of Water and or near the river Challenges program to share with. Affairs and has, as its broad focus, of the “Adopt-A-River” Program the development of an increased in the Eastern Cape awareness of South Africa’s water resources and increasing community • Some of the beneficiaries were participation in taking care of these often sick especially during resources. It is hoped that increased winter season, as a result two knowledge on water resources, will of them passed on during first develop into an active participation phase. by stakeholders in contributing to environmental management, and • It then became difficult to replace ultimately result in better management due to pre training requirements and protection of our environment and, and as result we continued with specifically, of scarce and precious 95 No beneficiaries. water resources. • Some of the areas that were identified were not highly The “Adopt-A-River” program started polluted; some beneficiaries had 01 September 2010 to 31 August 2011 to be moved to newly identified First Aid training first Phase in the Eastern Cape. The sites. Buffalo River and its closest tributaries were identified because of being highly • Unofficial or illegal dumping polluted. The stakeholders involved in sites that are known to the this “Adopt-A-River” program were; municipality concerned that are Buffalo city Municipality councilors, closer to the Buffalo River. This the Traditional representatives, the dumping site makes the work of Amahlathi Municipality councilors, the beneficiaries difficult, and officials and Implementing Agency progress very limited, this waste representatives. The main aim of the is washed down to the river “Adopt-A-River” program was to when heavy rains come. focus of the alien removal, clean-up, rehabilitation, community awareness – • The recent heavy rains had clean up of solid waste and community a negative impact on the awareness. project, the project progress Water Safety Training The project makes use of women got affected, and beneficiaries beneficiaries, selected through the could not go to work for few involvement of Ward councilors, from more days after the floods as it areas closest to the river stretching was dangerously wet next to the from Amahlathi Local Municipality, river. near Luphondweni village through Buffalo City Municipality around King • The solid waste coming with the William’s Town and Zwelitsha to East floods London. The highlights of the “Adopt-A- River” Program in the Eastern Project Objectives Cape

• To employ 100 women • Invitation of one of the beneficiaries to clean up the beneficiaries to Parliament Buffalo river from source to sea Beneficiaries at Work • To allow communities to take • Project launch by the Deputy care of the cleanliness of their Minister on the 3rd June 2011 rivers and the surroundings The “Adopt-A-River” Program in the • To encourage community Eastern Cape is approaching the members to guard against those second phase. Herewith the photos

CSO March 2012 Training of 100 women who were as they are in most cases the bread Beneficiaries were requested to wait recruited by members of the Alexandra winners. Volunteers were nor paid by until they had been trained and tools Environmental Management Forum end of September due reports from the being purchased. was conducted from 30/11/2011 Department alleging that they were not Purchasing of to 01/12/2011 at East Bank Hall, aware that work had commenced and tools and storage Alexandra. that even though they had supplied volunteers with protective clothing, Tools were purchased by the Forum Project Commencement training has to be done before work. on the 01/12/2011. It was agreed Volunteers commenced working in Mveledzo, Shomang and SELOF had by all members of the Forum that September 2011 after the project to intervene as beneficiaries were the tools will be stored at Mveledzo was launched by the Deputy Minister recruited by them. Our intervention Community Organisation, No. 898-3rd Mabudafasi at East Bank Hall, was that beneficiaries have to be paid Street, Marlboro, 2063. The tools are Alexandra. for September as they have worked. transported by Mveledzo to and from Those who had no banking details daily. The project volunteers were 100 and were assisted in opening accounts all females. This to empower women and all beneficiaries were paid. Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority written by Candice Moodley

INTRODUCING EWSETA heart, become the key driver in making the access to these skills opportunities a reality for all South Africans. Be it in your world of work, family or community life, it is considered polite practice to introduce yourself to those you are In this regard the National Skills Development Strategy meeting for the first time. This immediately accomplishes two (NSDS) III is the overarching strategic guide for all important objectives – first, it allows people the opportunity to SETA’s, providing direction with regards to our sector get to know you better and second, it opens up the possibility skills planning and implementation. The NDSD III to strengthening the relationship. ensures that our Strategic Plans are at all times aligned to government and industry development strategies Although our partnership with the Department of Water such as the Human Resource Development Strategy Affairs (DWA) is well established and our colleagues know for South Africa (HRDS-SA), the New Growth Path us well, we are honoured to have been given the opportunity (NGP), the Industrial Policy Action Plan (IPAP)and rural to “meet” a key component of our stakeholder base –Civil development strategies. Most notable is the National Society Organisations (CSOs). We view this opportunity as the Skills Accord (NSA) which was signed by the Minister beginning of a new era in engagement with our CSOs and as of Higher Education and Training with representatives such, would like to begin by way of an introduction. of organised business, labour and community-based structures. The Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority (EWSETA) is one of 21 statutory bodies established through The important role that CSOs and other organisations the Skills Development Act of 1998, as amended, to facilitate like Cooperatives and SMMEs are set to play in the skills development for Energy and Water stakeholders, through education and training landscape of our country has providing integrated, value-added education and training been firmly entrenched in the NSDS III under Goal 4.6. services. Outcome 4.6.3:

In order to achieve this mandate, partnerships between NSDS Goal 4.6: Encouraging and supporting EWSETA and employers, public education institutions, private cooperatives, small enterprises, worker-initiated, NGO training providers and government departments have played a and community training initiatives key role. However, in ensuring increased access to training and skills development opportunities and thereby achieving the • NSDS Outcome 4.6.3: Worker, NGO and fundamental transformation of inequities linked to class, race, community-based education programmes gender, geography, age, disability and HIV/AIDS, partnerships are supported and their impact measured and with CSOs, who have the core interests of their communities at reported on

CSO March 2012 stronger commitment to delivering on We are pleased to inform our water • Strengthening our partnership our mandate. This is an important time services sector stakeholders that and collaboration with DWA and in EWSETA’s legacy and now more EWSETA has set specific targets within other departments than ever, we urge all CSOs to come our 2011/2012 – 2015/2016 Strategic • Hosting CSO workshops forward and with EWSETA embrace Plan in support of NSDS III Goal 4.6 • Updating our CSO database the spirit of our nation - TOGETHER, and in order to deliver successfully on • Implementing special projects WE CAN DO MORE. the Outcomes identified, EWSETA will identified through partnerships be undertaking the following: with all relevant stakeholders Should you require any assistance or information with regards to • Embarking on Research The task at hand is a critical one EWSETA water qualifications, learning Initiatives and our Water Sector team, under programmes, Sector Skills Plan or • Incorporating the research the leadership of our Water Sector any other sector related matter please findings into our Sector Skills Manager, Ms. Tsholofelo Mokotedi, contact: Plan is certainly up for the challenge and the EWSETA on (+27 11) 274 4700 or • Developing appropriate she and her team look forward to visit our website at www.eseta.org.za. strategies that address the skills strengthening engagement with their needs as identified through our water sector stakeholders in the research months to come. • Establishing new partnerships EWSETA has been through a with CSOs active in the water challenging time but we have come out sector on the other side with a clear focus and

From Left to Right: Nonhlanhla Mazibuko - Administrator; Ntandose Gamede - officer; tsholofelo Mokotedi - Manager; Joana Seabi - ETQA Officer; Patience Montshiwa - Administrator

CSO March 2012 How development impacts on the Liesbeek Written by: Friends of Liesbeek

The Friends of Liesbeek have become as flood storage. Peak flows during through Bishopscourt, Newlands and increasingly concerned about the episodes of heavy rainfall become Rondebosch) has shown that the number of proposed and approved stronger thus increasing the probability Liesbeek is one the cleanest rivers in developments that are taking place of flooding along the river in particular South Africa! There are many sections on properties abutting or close to in the river’s lower reaches. of the river that carry viable and healthy the Liesbeek. Some of our concerns functioning ecosystems. Recent include the following: Developers aim to achieve maximum sightings of the Cape Clawless Otto return on their investments and thus and the Cape Porcupine in the vicinity 1. A river must be viewed in its totality proposed new developments will use of Esme Road, Newlands further i.e. as a riverine system the property to its fullest permissible suggest that these shy terrestrial and Often proponents of new potential. In the layout or design of the freshwater creatures are finding the development no consideration is given Liesbeek a safe haven. The Liesbeek is developments only consider the to features that would allow for rain also home to various species of birds impacts that might be caused permeation thus creating new areas and there have been regular sightings by a planned development in the for flood storage or for groundwater of Gymnogene, Goshawk and Pied immediate riverine area that is abutted replenishment. Kingfisher. by the property in question. This is very short-sighted. The river is a The developments are generally wall A great deal of time and resources continuous system that flows through to wall concrete and hard surfaced. have been invested in The Liesbeek the entire catchment and impacts Only the footprint of the building Maintenance Project (LMP) which must be considered cumulatively not or buildings is used to determine has been operating now for five only along the river course but in the coverage and the surrounding areas years. The purpose of this project entire catchment. that are brick-paved or hardened are is to develop robust management not considered. activities and partnerships to ensure It is usually the lower reaches that are that the Liesbeek is kept clean of affected by developments upstream 3. A critically litter that paths are trimmed, canals resulting in an ever increasing pollution impacted system are maintained and that invasive alien load and the accumulation of biomass plant species are controlled. This that greatly affects the water quality It is often stated by the proponents has resulted in a remarkable change and aesthetics of the river. In the lower of these new developments, that the in the quality of the water and in the reaches of the Liesbeek, the Liesbeek Liesbeek is a “critically impacted upkeep of the surrounding riverine Lake in Observatory has been heavily system” or that that the Liesbeek is environment. impacted. “already a heavily degraded system”. The cost of addressing these The fact that sections of the river The FoL would like to see the Liesbeek problems is currently being carried by have been canalised is also used as being rehabilitated and one of the long- the ratepayers of Cape Town through an indication that the river has no term goals would be to have sections the work that the City of Cape Town, active aquatic habitats or functioning of the concrete base of the canal the Friends of Liesbeek (FoL) and its ecosystems and hence that there will removed to allow for an improved sponsors have to do to maintain the be no impacts from the proposed new aquatic environment that would allow river. development. for the development of a healthy, functioning riverine ecosystem. 2. Increased hardening of surfaces There may be parts of the river that are degraded but this is not so for 4. Buffer Zone Proposed new developments the entire catchment. It is of grave and other human activities in the concern to the Friends of the Liesbeek In terms of the City of Cape Town’s catchment area of a river can affect that this river, which has irreplaceable Floodplain and River Corridor the river channel form thereby altering aesthetic, educational, recreational, Management Policy, watercourses the magnitude and frequency of spiritual and resource value to the and their adjacent riparian and flooding. Changing the path of a river inhabitants of Cape Town, is often associated fauna and flora must be allows water to flow more rapidly merely regarded as a sewerage or protected or “buffered” from the downstream increasing the risk of storm-water system and treated as impacts of adjacent development or flooding. Buildings and the creation of such. activity. These buffers vary in width hard surfaces within the floodplain as from 10 m to 40 m depending on well as in the overall catchment area, We like to point out that regular the classification of the watercourse. removes areas previously available testing (especially in the areas flowing Buffer zones provide:

CSO March 2012 continuous corridors and habitat for 6. Alien vegetation currently on the In conclusion, whilst the Friends flora and fauna property of Liesbeek (FoL) are not opposed • water quality improvement of point to development nor to the City’s Proponents of new developments or diffuse sources of pollution densification policy we would like to especially on vacant land will often • stream bank and erosion protection see development that takes place in use the existence of alien vegetation • space for appropriate water a well planned, integrated and holistic to motivate for an approval to develop. sensitive urban design elements manner. There must be associated Whilst we acknowledge that a new • socio-economic benefits in the development and maintenance of development may correct the situation, form of public open pace existing services and infrastructure. we do not see this as viable reason • opportunities for recreation and New buildings must be appropriate to approve the particular proposed environmental education for the area in question so that they development. The City of Cape Town • enhancement of waterway, visual will enhance what already exists can make use of other laws to ensure and property values in the area. Finally, the planning of that the owner of the property removes • access for maintenance new developments must include the invasive vegetation and maintains • adequate space for possible future interventions that promote sustainable the property in question. restoration activities urban water usage and drainage We have found in some instances that 7. Size and aesthetics of the proposed management. proposed buildings have extended development into the 10 metre buffer zone (the requirement for concrete canals) and Although this may not directly impact in other instances no allowance has on the Liesbeek we often find that new been made for the required buffer developments are completely out of zone. character with existing or surrounding properties. Again, this could be the 5. 1:50 and 1:100 year floodplains result of developers’ greed or of wanting to get the most out of the The above mentioned policy also investment. We then question the requires the developer to determine need for such a large scale dwelling flood lines. A table is used to on the subject property and show how indicate the permissible land use, it would be out of keeping with the development or activity within the surrounding dwellings. What would floodplain. The developments we deal the need be for such a development in with are mostly residential and these the particular neighbourhood. are not permissible in the <2, 2 – 20 and 20 - 50 year floodplain zones. In the 50 – 100 year zone, floors must be above the 1:100 year flood level and basements are to be flood proofed to the 1:50 year flood level.

CSO March 2012 Liesbeek Maintenance Report 1 May 2011 – 30 July 2011 By: James Cooper (Project Manager)

The River Team Canal Maintenance

The team have worked 4 days a week The team completed the final section during this period due to Grant in Aid of canal maintenance in Mowbray funding being secured to clean the in front of Rygersdaal Sports banks of the Liesbeek in Observatory. Club, trimming all the overhanging The team consisted of a supervisor vegetation in preparation for winter and three staff members for this rains (preventing flooding). period. Painting over graffiti We have found it easier to plan work in four areas during the month, The team completed painting over all concentrating on one area per week, the graffiti from San souci Rd to the while continuing with the 2 days of Railway siding in Mowbray. A watery cleaning for the rest of the week. cement mix was used to paint over the Fig 1 Rehab graffiti. General Maintenance site in Newlands Alien vegetation removal and planting with buffer zone against Kikuyu. Litter clean ups The team continued with weekly cleans The team concentrated on a number indigenous ground cover plants (Sour from Newlands Swimming Pool to the of invasive alien species during the fig), which can outcompete Kikuyu. siding in Rondebosch and cleaning period, namely Kikuyu grass, Tree of the banks in Observatory. Paradise Heaven, Cestrum, Spanish Broom, The second site was the Rehabilitation Park didn’t need to be cleaned as City Purple Loosestrife, Poplars, Canna, site behind Newlands Swimming Pool. Parks staff is now cleaning this area Wild Ginger, Eugenia and Crofton Here the team continue to remove regularly. weed. On many occasion cleared Kikuyu from the site and have begun areas needed to be planted with creating a buffer zone by planting Weeding indigenous plants to prevent soil Sour Fig and Plectranthus around the erosion and to create areas more edges of the site (figure 1). The team has completed weeding suited for indigenous Fauna species. all the flowerbeds from Roslyn Park in Rondebosch up to South African Kikuyu grass The third site was the rehabilitation Breweries in Newlands. site at Belmont Bridge. Again the team They continued weeding the planting Kikuyu is found along most stretches of continually remove Kikuyu from the site before Belmont Bridge and the the Liesbeek. Control is based around site, and have planted Sour Fig as a rehab site behind Newlands Swimming maintaining certain sections where it buffer. Other plants that were planted Pool. is either threatening to outcompete in the area included Crysanthemoides, and grow over indigenous plants, or Psorelea, Athanasia and aloes (figure Cleaning Alfred stream encroach into rehabilitation sites. All 2). Our Chasmanthyes bulbs that we control of Kikuyu is done by physically planted last year are now in full flower Alfred stream has been cleared once a digging or hand pulling the plants and at this site. week following heavy rains. roots. No Herbicide has used. Tree of Heaven Path Maintenance Three sites were focussed on in this period. The first was the Arboretum, Tree of Heaven has been identified All Kikuyu has been trimmed along below Kirstenbosch. Here one still by the City of Cape Town as a high the path behind Newlands Swimming finds many indigenous plants and priority invasive species, which Pool. The team continued to maintain a natural ecosystem. The Kikuyu could be eradicated as it is still in the the path from Breweries to the railway has begun to grow over all of these early stages of invasion. The LMP is siding in Mowbray, with the focus on indigenous plants, smothering them working in partnership with the City to cutting the num num hedges at the and having serious implications for eradicate this species. Church, Telkom Bridge, Roslyn Rd the biodiversity of the area. The team and Bridge Rd. removed most of the Kikuyu from these plants and in future will be creating buffer zones around the indigenous plant communities, by planting

CSO March 2012 Cestrum

A number of individual Cestrum plants were controlled between San Souci Rd and Riverside Mall. The method used was a cut stump treatment.

Spanish Broom

Spanish Broom has been identified by the City of Cape Town as a high priority invader species. Only two plants have been found on the Liesbeek thus far. The method used for control was cut Fig. 3 Loosestrife sproud Fig 1 Rehab stump. from root stock site in Newlands with buffer zone against Kikuyu. Purple Loosestrife will allow for thorough control method. While single Purple Loosestrife plants The team are currently working on the found along the banks Liesbeek River Club section and will complete have been easy to control in the past the initial clearing by mid August. two years, those found as dense stands in Fragmites reed beds have Research on Lythrum control methods not. Accessing plants through the dense reeds provides one problem Research is currently underway to and adequately treating them with establish the best control methods for herbicide, another. To combat this, Loosestrife. Plants have been grown the LMP team began clearing reeds from seed at a nursery in Stellenbosch before the Loosestrife growth seasons and various clearing techniques and (spring and summer), cutting them as herbicides will be tested at three low to the ground as possible using a different growth stages; seedlings, brush cutter, piling the brush on site saplings and flowering plants. Three Fig 4 Concentrated Loosestrife to prevent seed dispersal. The first 5m by 7 m plots have also been set seedlings section in the Valkenberg Wetlands was up in the Valkenberg reed bed to cleared in May and monitored closely. test the effectiveness of the different The results were very interesting. As treatments and herbicides on older, we moved to the beginning of July it resprouting plants, with a well was noted that the Lythrum had begun established tap root system. to resprout from root stock (figure 3), and that the disturbance and removal By the end of this growth season we of the reeds had enabled thousands of should have established the optimal Lythrum seeds to germinate and begin clearing technique, which will aid in our to grow in a concentrated area (figure attempt to eradicate this invader before 4), something we hadn’t seen before. it spreads to other wetland systems. Chester Chauke, the conservation After consulting with SANBI’s EDRR student conducting the research, was (Early Detection and Rapid Response) chosen to represent the City of Cape unit and the City of Cape Town’s EDRR Town at this year’s Fynbos Forum. At the decision was taken to undertake the forum he presented a poster Fig 1 Rehab the same process at the remaining two (figure 5). site in Newlands reed beds where Loosestrife has been with buffer zone against Kikuyu. identified as forming large stands, Poplars namely a site at the River Club and a site in Raapenberg Bird Sanctuary. The team concentrated on removal cut stump treatment. This was done By doing this we are encouraging of Poplars around the Valkenberg in the hope that a channel will be dug germination of seeds that could lie wetlands, in front of the Wild Fig in order to link the Liesbeek to the dormant for up to 30 years and we are restaurant. The method used was a surrounding wetlands. This will supply creating easier, more efficient working the wetlands with more water during conditions within the reed beds that winter,

CSO March 2012 creating many habitats for birds, amphibians and fish, while helping to naturally clean and filter the water. Removal of these Poplars has also taken away the likelihood that vagrants will utilise this area.

A number of Poplars were also removed from the wetlands in Mowbray, using cut stump treatment. All the removed Poplar branches have been used to stabilise the river banks in other sections.

Canna indica and Wild Ginger

The team concentrated on clearing Canna and Ginger behind Newlands Swimming Pool. The South African Breweries staff joined for a day of clearing as part of their corporate investment programme. The banks were stabilised using felled poplar branches and the area has been planted (figure 6) . It has been extremely encouraging to note the number of Arum lily bulbs that have begun to grow in the areas that the Ginger and Canna were removed.

Eugenia Fig 5 Chester’s More and more Eugenia is being seen along the Liesbeek. The luscious red Fynbos Forum Poster fruits make attractive morsels for birds using the river, and seeds are dispersed far and wide in the bird’s Environ centre maintenance spent three days clearing the paths, droppings as they frequent other areas which enabled the paddlers to pass along the Liesbeek. The LMP team During 2 days of rain the team did through difficult sections of the river have cleared a number of Eugenia’s maintenance of the Enviro-centre. (figure 8). from San – souci Rd to Riverside Mall This included an audit of all the using cut stump treatment. items found in the centre, mopping The team also installed the litter the floors, vacuuming, weeding the trap across the Black River during Other activities flowerbeds and cutting up Eucalyptus this exercise to demonstrate how branches and placing them around the effectively it works (figure 9) Species lists flowerbeds (figure 7). Fig 9 Ntobeko and Klaas with the litter The team have been compiling species Peninsula Paddle trap having caught all the floating litter lists along the Liesbeek. This has been released from the Hyacinth. made possible thanks to a generous The LMP team helped clear paths donation of field guides from Struik through the Water Hyacinth found on Publishers. the Black River in preparation for the annual Peninsula Paddle. The team The Liesbeek has been allocated a slot on the Biodiversity database. All our records of flora and fauna will be sent to Westlake where they will be uploaded onto the website.

CSO March 2012 Fig 7 Weeded and maintained flowerbeds

Fig 6 Canna indica and Wild Ginger

Fig 8 Ntobeko (right) and Klaas (Left) finish clearing the path through the Hyacinth

This is an indication to ascertain the community living along the Kuils River in Macassar to realise the danger that they are exposed to especially for children without any conscience. This training was also part of the educational system for the students to correlate the theories seen in class A meeting had been hold in order to promote the and the real world. This is in preparation for a conservation of our environment and this focused campaign for a long term rehabilitation of the Kuils on the rehabilitation of the Kuils River at the Cape River that should commence in 2012. Peninsula University of Technology. The analysis of the sample A group of student conducted the South African collected showed that the Kuils River is critically Scoring System (SASS) training in order to indicate the modified and needs to be rehabilitated. health of the river by measuring the general quality of water in that river in connection with the Adopt a river project. Samples were collected by a student assisted by a member of the department of water affairs and forestry.

CSO March 2012 The River Health programme Report Written by Thulani Guzana

Chapter 14 of the National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. The RHP is designed to develop the capacity and 36 1998) (the Act), places a duty on the Minister to, information base, enabling reporting on the ecological “as soon as practically possible, establish national state of our river systems, in an objective and scientifically monitoring systems that would allow for the collection sound manner. The information generated by the RHP of appropriate data and information that is necessary to assists in identifying areas of sustainable utilisation and assess various aspects of aquatic resources”, including unacceptable ecological deterioration. the health of aquatic ecosystems (the Act, 137 (2) (f).The Department has, as a result, developed an overarching The programme is based on assessing the condition of Framework for the National Water Resources Quality biological communities of rivers (such as fish, aquatic Monitoring Programmes to ensure that all National Water invertebrates and riparian vegetation) as well as river Resources Quality Monitoring Programmes comply with habitats to provide an integrated measure or health of the the requirements of the Act and that these programmes river systems. are effectively and efficiently implemented. The RHP was designed to meet the following objectives: The National Aquatic Ecosystem Health Monitoring Programme (NAEMHP) forms part of this portfolio of • Measure, assess and report the ecological state of national water resource quality monitoring programmes. aquatic ecosystems. In response to the Department’s drive to align its national • Detect and report spatial and temporal trends in the water resources quality monitoring. The River Health ecological state of aquatic ecosystems. Programme (RHP) forms part of the NAEMHP. The RHP • Identify and report emerging problems regarding was initiated in 1994 as a response to the need for aquatic ecosystems. more detailed information on the state of South Africa’s • Ensure that all aquatic ecosystems health reports aquatic ecosystems. The programme was initiated by provide scientifically relevant information for the the then Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (now management of aquatic ecosystems. the Department of Water Affairs), the Department of • Create public capacity and environmental awareness. Environmental Affairs and Tourism (now the Department of Environmental Affairs) and Water Research Commission.

The following categories are used in the RHP to establish the ecological health state of a river:

Ecological River Health Category Description Colour (Reserve) Categories

A Natural Blue

B Good Largely natural with few modifications Green

C Fair Moderately Modified Yellow

D Poor Large Modified Red

E Seriously Modified Large Modified Purple

F Officially Modified Critically or Extremely modified Black

CSO March 2012 River Health Ecological Perspective Management Perspective Category Natural No or negligible modification of The river is relatively untouched, no dam impede flow and no in-stream biota and riparian habitats waste discharges enter the river.

B The biodiversity is largely intact and Human related disturbances have a low impact ont eh river the ecosystem is essentially in a good state. C Few sensitive species may be absent Multiple disturbances are associated with economic and biological populations are less development and include impoundment, water quality abundant degradation and habitat modification. - invasive or opportunistic species may be present. D River habitat diversity and availability High human densities or extremely resource exploitation have have declined and only tolerant greatly altered the river. Management intenvention should species are present. The species already be in place to improve the health of the river, restoring that survive are often diseased and flow patterns, water quality and river habitats. population dynamic are disrupted.

The initiation of this programme since 1994 saw the production of State of Rivers report in South Africa from 1994-2004 (Achievements of the RHP 1994-2004: A national perspective on the ecological health of selected South African Rivers); with the reports for Greater Cape Town’s Rivers, Olifants/Doring and Sandveld, Mokolo River, Rivers of the Gouritz Water Management Area, Mthatha River being produced in 2006, 2007 and 2008 respectively.

Currently, the RHP has been implemented by these Regional Offices on seasonal basis in the following rivers:

EASTERN CAPE KWAZULU-NATAL Mzimvubu, Mbashe , Mthatha , Mngazi, Mngazana, The KwaZulu-Natal Regional Office has just appointed Shixini, Ngadla, Jujura, Mtentu, Mthakatyi, Great Kei, the Umgeni Water Board to implement the programme Nahoon, Gonubie, Chalumna, Buffalo, Kowie, Kromme, on behalf of the Region. They have not started with the Kouga/Gamtoos, Great Fish, Groot (East), Bloukrans, monitoring. Storms, Elandsbos, Elands, Lottering, Baviaans and NORTHERN CAPE Baakens. The monitoring has been done on the Harts River. The Department of Environmental Affairs has been the one WESTERN CAPE conducting the monitoring. The Regional Office: Northern Olifants, Doring, Groot, Verlorenvlei, Berg, Diep, Eerste, Cape is in a process of getting data from them. Salt, Hout Bay, Breede, Hex, Riviersonderend, Palmiet, Bot, Klein, Duiwenshoks, Goukou, Gouritz, Hartenbos, NORTH WEST Klein Brak, Maalgate&Gwaing, Touw&Karatara, Knysna, The Department of Environmental Affairs is the one Bietouw&Keurbouws. doing the monitoring as the Department of Water Affairs is experiencing capacity challenges to implement the MPUMALANGA programme. Elands River (Ngodwana site) and (Sappi plant upstream of site), Crocodile River (Poplar Creek) and Sabie River GAUTENG (Upper Sabie). The Regional Office: Gauteng utilises data from the water quality testing and has not started with the seasonal river LIMPOPO monitoring. The data collection is populated onto the Rivers Luvuvhu River and its tributaries, namely Dzindi and Mvudi database that is at Resource Quality Services (RQS), and The following Regional Offices are not directly doing the the technical reports are submitted into the RHP website monitoring but work with other sector partners: within the Department of Water Affairs.

FREE STATE Free State utilised desktop reserves studies and sub catchment management studies to determine the state of the following rivers; Sand River, Modder Riet River and Schoon/Koekemoerspruit. 14

CSO March 2012 Villiersdorp Water Forum: ADOPT A RIVER - 3rd place winners at the Women in Water competition 2011.

Villiersdorp Water Forum won the third price on the category of “adopt a river”. Villiersdorp entered a competition, Women on Water 2011, run by the Department of Water Affairs. The competition ceremony was held in Limpopo and the Villiersdorp Water Forum representatives were Mrs. Rachel Fatyela and Nothembelani Noswili.

The Villiersdorp Water Forum is a women project, this group has adopted 4 of the rivers at Villiersdorp. It consists of 16 unemployed women and 16 new volunteers. They clean these four rivers; they also educate the schools around them, farmers and the rest of the community on the importance of taking care of the rivers. Villiersdorp Water Forum also do education and awareness on saving water and water use at schools and the rest of the community.

With the little money they have won, Villiersdorp Water Forum, committed to use the money to sustain their project, as they are still struggling because they have no uniform, cleaning equipment and transport as some of these rivers are quite far from where they reside.

Women receiving their Awards

CSO March 2012 Interesting Publications 1 Rainwater harvesting for 3 Growing up at School – A Guide for 5 What happens when the toilet is full? Sustainable communities – Issues, Menstrual Management For School Developments in On-Site Faecal Sludge Lessons and Strategies Girls. Management This fieldnote discusses This note captures the proceedings various issues on rain water This booklet, written by Annie of a two day seminar held in Durban harvesting, including lessons from Kanyemba of Zimbabwe, is also a to discuss latest developments implementation, the concept of contribution to the Africa within the and innovations in Faecal Sludge Integrated Rainwater harvesting Southern Africa Knowledge Node on Management (FSM). The note hopes to (IRWH) as applied in Ehlanzeni Sustainable Sanitation (SAKNSS). share some of the insights discussed District, and recommendations from It has been written help school girls and make research, learning and best the RWH harvesting symposium held manage the critical period when they practice available to a wider audience. in 2010. enter adolescence between the ages of 10 and 14 when menstruation 6 SANITATION MATTERS starts. This newsletter is published under 2 BIOGAS FOR SANITATION: Closing the Southern Africa Knowledge Node the Nutrient Loop through Sanitation, 4 on Sustainable Sanitation (SAKNSS) Hygiene, Environmental Protection What happens when the toilet project and the second issue focused and Food Security in Lesotho. is full?A story of pits, PETs and sanitation various issues, including The lesson looks at the Biogas managed sludges. Most urban toilets urban planning and consequences Systems for Decentralized need emptying within five years or for sanitation, onsite faecal sludge Wastewater Treatment (or Biogas less of being built. This note explores management and urban sanitation. DEWATS) technology as it is the range of practical steps that implemented in Lesotho.The case can be taken by local government 7 Integrating Science, Policy and study contributes to the collection and its allies and shows, from Practice: A win- win working of information on sustainable real experience, that meeting this collaboration between eThekwini sanitation technologies implemented challenge can help to safeguard the Water and Sanitation and the in Southern Africa within the health of today's children, even as University of KwaZulu-Natal in Southern Africa Knowledge Node we protect the environment for those enhancing local service delivery on Sustainable Sanitation (SAKNSS) generations to come. This fieldnote looks at the EThekwini network. Beneficiation Model, in which the 6 1 municipality has partnered with 5 the University of KwaZulu-Natal to 2 4 3 undertake applied research aimed at enhancing water and sanitation service delivery in the Municipality.

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