DOCSLIB.ORG

Rand Water Annual Report for the 2016/17 Financial Year

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Rand Water Annual Report for the 2016/17 Financial Year RAND WATER INTEGRATED RESULTS For The FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE 2017 1 RegulatoryAgenda Framework Welcome Strategic Financial Looking Vote of Update Performance forward Thanks 2 Strategic Update Chief Executive: Percy Sechemane 3 About Rand Water Nature of business Vision Rand Water is the largest bulk water utility in Africa and is one of the largest in the world, providing bulk potable water to more than 12 million people in To be a provider of sustainable, universally competitive water and sanitation Gauteng, parts of Mpumalanga, the Free State and North West – an area that solutions for Africa. stretches over 18 000 km2. Additional 13 000 km2 in the Western Highveld On 15th April 2013, the Institutional Reform and Realignment process was Mission approved and announced . The important conclusions were To deliver and supply world class affordable, reliable, and good quality water • The number of water boards were reduced from twelve to nine and related services to all stakeholders through: • Rand Water took over the BBR area of service • Safe, efficient transport, sustainable and innovative business practices; Rand Water draws water from its catchments and purifies it for human • Empowered employees; consumption. The water is then supplied / sold to Municipalities, mines and industries. • Mutually beneficial strategic relationships; and Water sources • Legislative compliance and best practice. Since 1974, the Tugela-Vaal scheme has fed water into the Vaal River to Key statistics supplement its supply. This is done by inter-basin transfer of water from the Tugela River in KwaZulu-Natal. Rand Water is a public utility wholly owned by government (DWS) . Rand Water has been in existence for 114 yrs The Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) also transfers water to the Vaal . Bulk Water supplier - 4414 Mℓ/d Dam. This entire project comprises six dams and three pumping stations. The first phase of the LHWP was completed in 1998 and is designed to meet the . Total Pipeline Length - 3 500 km demand for water in Gauteng up to the year 2020. Total Number of Reservoirs - 58 1903: 1913 – 1998: The Rand Water Board 1886: was officially Major development schemes Scarcity of water established after the are undertaken to respond to during the peace agreement demand. Developments such as discovery of gold in between the British the Vaal River Scheme, the Vaal the Witwatersrand government and the Dam, Zwartkopjes pumping posed a problem. Boer Republics. station and the Lesotho Highlands Project 1905: 2014: 1893: Rand Water - Take over of the operations of Small private commences with full the former BBR operations, providing companies began - Takeover of regional bulk bulk water to the supplying water. infrastructure in Mpumalanga Witwatersrand area. 4 Strategic and Operational Overview Alignment To National Government Objectives Achieve operational integrity and use best Honourable Minister fit technology National Treasury National Department Auditor General National Parliament Shareholder Compact Maintain financial Achieve a high health and sustainability performance culture Corporate Business Plan Rand Water Strategy Reporting Formats Vision Annual Report Annual Assessment of Water Mission Boards Strategic Objectives Quarterly Reports KPAs Positively engage Achieve growth stakeholder base KPIs Rand Water’s operating model re-evaluated to :incorporate: • Alignment to Innovation hub • The Innovation policy was approved by Board in February 2016 • Innovation programs will be assisted by newly approved piloting policy • Partnership with the Dept. of Science & Technology to be at the cutting edge of technological innovation • The Innovation Hub remains critical in the search for new ideas 5 Strategic Themes • Improved operational reliability and performance continues • Operating model provides solid foundation • Balance sheet has sufficient flexibility to fund growth plans • Capital projects development and execution critical focus area • Capital expenditure projected to increase over the next 5 years • Ministerial Directives – Rand Water is actively • Delivering continued & sustained involved in undertaking a number of Directives, shareholder value working closely with the Honourable Minister • New auditors of the organization since October 2016 - Auditor General of South Africa 6 Added Value QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS MAINTAINED CERTIFICATION ACHIEVED DIFR OF 0.29 AGAINST A TARGET OF 0.34 RELIABILITY OF SUPPLY Met peak daily demands and abided to Bulk Water Supply Contracts OCCUPATIONAL, SAFETY, HEALTH & ENVIRONMENT Embedded in our project management processes PRODUCT QUALITY Product Quality - Consistently maintained the national drinking water standard and delivery to customers on the SANS 241 Composite Indicator. 7 Added Value ATTAINED AN UNQUALIFIED AUDIT OPINION FINANCIAL CAPITAL Strong improvement in operating margins and returns in excess of the weighted cost of capital ATTAINED BBBEE of 95% AGAINST TARGET OF 85% CUSTOMER CENTRIC APPROACH SATISFACTION RATE OF 85% ACHIEVED 91.67 % OF PERFORMANCE TARGETS AS SET OUT IN THE SHAREHOLDERS COMPACT JOB CREATION 238 permanent & contract (direct) & 6 068 temporary (indirect) jobs created 8 Rand Water Academy Presidential Outcome 5: SKILLS - A skilled and capable workforce to support an inclusive growth path Rand Water Academy Pillars: Research Platforms | Centre of Excellence | Centre of Competence | International Water Professionals Exchange Hub | WAT/SAN Solutions NATIONAL TREASURY GRADUATE INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME WAR ON LEAKS PROGRAMME MPUMALANGA SKILLS AUDIT Graduate Intake A skills audit has been completed in the Mpumalanga (NT 2, NT 3 & NT 80) province as part of the Rand Water’s Master Plan in the 90 Extended Area of Operations. 80 70 80 60 ACADEMY INTERNATIONAL FOOTPRINT 50 40 28 30 20 17 10 9 11 7 8 0 Total INTERNATIONAL NETHERLANDS UNESCO IHE OFFICE FOR WATER Engineers WATER PARTNERSHIP Town PlanningTown Quantity Survey Quantity Systems Natural Sciences Natural Management Construction Construction Project Geographic Information Geographic RURAL DEVELOPMENT GRADUATE INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME Current Trainee Headcount Initiated a project with UNESCO – IHE to implement a Graduate Intake 5000 4294 FIPAG Academy for Professional Development in Water (RD 1, RD 2 & RD 3) 4000 and Sanitation in Mozambique ( Maputo). 3000 2313 Total 28 2000 1477 ACADEMY LOCAL FOOTPRINT 997 Legal 3 675 1000 225 Engineering 3 0 Information… 4 Phase 1 Phase 2 Process Controller 10 Artisans Water Agents Plumbers Government Statutory Municipalities Mines Human Resources 5 Departments Bodies Finance 3 Current Headcount: 9 981 Trainees 0 10 20 30 Phase 1 = 2699 Graduate Intake Phase 2 = 7282 9 RandRedemptionWater FoundationReserve Policy and Requirements Water and Sanitation Projects Environment Conservation Projects • Schools Sanitation and Water Supply • Rehabilitation of Wetlands • Schools Rainwater Harvesting • Clearing of Alien Vegetation • Rural and Urban Landscaping and Greening • Water Demand Management & Initiatives Conservation • Expanded Public Works Programme Land Care • Household Sanitation - Bucket Eradication Education and Training Programme • Rural Communities Water Supply • Back to School Education Support Project • Municipal Capacity Building • Early Childhood Development Support • Training on : Operations and Maintenance of • Adopt-a-Learner Study Support Grant • The National Curriculum Support and Waste Water Treatment Plants Schools Mobile Libraries Enterprise Development Projects • High School Career Guidance Health, including HIV, and AIDS projects • Business Start –Up Project • Business Incubation Project • Community Home Based Care • The Business Information and • Community Based Health Awareness Raising Project • Infrastructure Development Support • Business Partnerships Development • School Based Health Education and Awareness Raising on HIV and AIDS 10 10 RegulatoryPerformance Framework Snapshot • Social: Continuous Water supply, Sanitation solutions, RWA, RWF & CSR initiatives as well as job creation and capacity building. Triple • Environmental: Blue & Green drop standards achieved, Environmental conservation Bottom line programs; Water Catchments, Wetland rehabilitation • Economic: YOY increases; Revenue 8%, Gross income 12%, Net income 11%, Cash Reserves of R805m and Capital spent R2.5bn • A long and healthy life for all South Africans - Uninterrupted supply of quality water for over 24 hours. System stabilised and energy management initiatives enhanced Presidential after the interruptions experienced in September 2014. Outcomes • Skilled and capable workforce: Rand Water Academy, Capacity building and Job creation • Efficient local government system: Rand Water Mpumalanga • Implementing Agent on behalf of Municipalities or Government Departments • Institutional Realignment Shareholder • Enhanced quality and quantity of water resources; Water demand management and Acid mine drainage Compact • R2.4 bn spent on ensuring the maintenance and supply availability of our bulk water infrastructure • Implemented projects amounting to R124m on behalf of National Departments & Local Authorities 11 Financial Performance Chief Financial Officer : Matshidiso Nyembe 12 Salient Features - Highlights • Change in accounting framework – transition to IFRS from SA GAAP • Low volume growth resulting from water restrictions implemented during the period • Income margins and returns maintained and/or improved • Capital budget flexed to accommodate the reducing volumes • Stringent capital discipline allowed
Load more

Recommended publications
  • A Case Study of Rand Water
    Pertunia Mohlabi, Jannie Ferreira, Vincent Mello, Tebogo Mile & Lesetja Maraba Managing records in networked environment using EDRMS applications: a case study of Rand Water Pertunia Mohlabi, Jannie Ferreira, Vincent Introduction Mello, Tebogo Mile and Lesetja Maraba Rand Water, South Africa The existence of organisations in categories [email protected]; such as Rand Water is interesting and challenging. Rand Water runs a business that [email protected]; produces a product that no living being can [email protected]; live without; its product is thus [email protected]; indispensable. The product is regulated by [email protected] the Government of South Africa through its acts and legislation signed and adopted by Government through its Parliament. In the Abstract case of Rand Water, the Water Services Act of 1997 guides and endorses its existence Rand Water was founded in 1903 at the conclusion and its operations. Similar principles apply of the Anglo Boer War and has a very rich history when it comes to how Rand Water ought to as an organisation. Founded with the sole purpose to manage and archive its records. The setup provide clean water to domestic and industry needs in was different when Rand Water enjoyed a the greater Johannesburg and Witwatersrand area, fair amount of independence also in as far as at that time, it then became part of the bigger body governance of its records management of bulk water supply entities in 1997 as guided by function was concerned. However, with the the Water Services Act of 1997. In consideration of passing of the Water Services Act in 1997 the date that Rand Water was founded, its records and Rand Water’s subsequent incorporation pre-date it by ten years as its oldest archives date into the greater family of bulk water back to 1893 with correspondence about the setting suppliers, its records management function up of smaller, fractional water supply authorities.
    [Show full text]
  • Mine Water Management in the Witwatersrand Gold Fields with Special Emphasis on Acid Mine Drainage
    MINE WATER MANAGEMENT IN THE WITWATERSRAND GOLD FIELDS WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON ACID MINE DRAINAGE REPORT TO THE INTER-MINISTERIAL COMMITTEE ON ACID MINE DRAINAGE DECEMBER 2010 REPORT TO THE INTER-MINISTERIAL COMMITTEE ON ACID MINE DRAINAGE MINE WATER MANAGEMENT IN THE WITWATERSRAND GOLD FIELDS WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON ACID MINE DRAINAGE Prepared by the Expert Team of the Inter-Ministerial Committee under the Coordination of the Council for Geoscience Team of Experts drawn from: The Council for Geoscience Department of Water Affairs Department of Mineral Resources Council for Scientific and Industrial Research Mintek Water Research Commission and Advisors: Prof. TS McCarthy – University of the Witwatersrand Prof G Steyl – University of the Free State Prof. J Maree – Tshwane University of Technology Prof. B Zhao – University of Fort Hare December 2010 TEAM OF EXPERTS — RESEARCHERS Chairperson Dr T Ramontja Chief Executive Officer – Council for Geoscience Compilers and contributing authors: Dr H Coetzee Specialist Scientist: Environmental Geoscience – Council for Geoscience Mr PJ Hobbs Senior Research Hydrogeologist – Council for Scientific and Industrial Research Dr JE Burgess Research Manager – Water Research Commission Prof. A Thomas Unit Manager: Central Regions – Council for Geoscience Mr M Keet Acting Director: Gauteng Regional Office – Department of Water Affairs Contributing authors: Dr B Yibas Geochemist/Geologist – Council for Geoscience Ms D van Tonder Geologist – Council for Geoscience Mr F Netili Hydrogeologist – Council for
    [Show full text]
  • Management of Water Levels in the Flooded Mines of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
    Proceedings IMWA 2016, Freiberg/Germany | Drebenstedt, Carsten, Paul, Michael (eds.) | Mining Meets Water – Conflicts and Solutions Management of water levels in the flooded mines of the Witwatersrand, South Africa Henk Coetzee1,2 1Council for Geoscience, 280 Pretoria Street, Silverton, Pretoria, South Africa, 2Department of Geosciences/Africa Earth Observatory Network, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Summerstrand Campus, Port Elizabeth, South Africa [email protected] Abstract Following the cessation of underground mining in the three original mining complexes in South Africa’s Witwatersrand Gold Field, mines started to flood with no control measures in place. In 2002, acidic water began to discharge from the West Rand Gold Field’s underground workings, negatively impacting on the downstream environment, with impacts identified in both surface and underground water. In the years following this, underground operations ceased in the Central Rand and East Rand Gold Fields and the underground workings were allowed to flood. Three approaches have been identified for the management of the flooded underground workings: Flooding and management of the discharge at surface. Maintaining the water level at a pre-determined safe level, locally referred to as an “environmental critical level” by pumping. Controlling the water level in the underground workings by means of a discharge tunnel. Currently, pump and treat programmes are at various stages of development and implementation in the three original gold fields. Planning for these has been severely hampered by a lack of reliable historical data on volumes pumped. The absence of supporting data also led to the selection of conservative environmental critical levels, which will be extremely costly to maintain.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 Call for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene
    CALL FOR WATER, SANITATION AND HYGIENE (WASH) SERVICE DELIVERY PARTNERSHIPS FUNDING PROPOSALS-THE NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS (NGOs) SECTOR. The Rand Water Foundation (RWF) is on a journey to becoming a National Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Centre of Excellence ensuring Communities’ access to clean and safe drinking water; Adequate and dignified sanitation facilities for vulnerable communities; Prevention of water sources contamination; and Promoting hands-washing for behavioral change on personal hygiene ; a socio-economic developmental model integrating water, sanitation and hygiene interventions through the NGOs’ sector as key service delivery partners. Key strategic impact analysis of WASH resonates in Drinking Water; Sanitation and Hygiene; Water Quality; Water use efficiency; Water resources management; and Ecosystems. In addition to Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) as primary activities of the RWF, Capacity Building of NGOs is one of the key strategic drivers of WASH and therefore classified as RWF’s strategic intermediary activities. The programme activities is in the current year (2020/2021) focusing on driving several WASH activities to benefit RW’s areas of operation, and it such activities will be undertaken by qualifying and experienced NGOs to be identified. Such NGOs will be capacitated through funding to enable efficient and effective WASH service delivery in this regard. The second programme activity is training and development of NGOs for WASH service delivery. Training will focus on NGOs in the water sector, and those that are currently not in the water sector, but would want to change focus into WASH. Qualifying NGOs are invited to submit service delivery partnership funding proposals as follows: 1.
    [Show full text]
  • About Rand Water Introduction (759KB)
    “To life!” Contents Chairperson’s message 8 Acting chief executive’s report 10 Let’s raise a glass of the official drink of Gauteng – Board members 16 delicious, clean, fresh water supplied by Rand Water. Portfolio Integrating Committee (PIC) 18 Review of operations 20 Without water, there can be no life. It is the presence Stakeholder review 36 of sufficient water that makes life on Earth possible. Environmental and quality review 56 Governance and risk review 76 But not all parts of our planet have the same access to Consolidated annual financial statements 83 usable water. South Africa is one of the less fortunate Statement of responsibility parts of the globe in this respect – and Rand Water by the members of the Board 84 faces the challenge of supplying the potable water Independent auditor’s report to needs of the economic hub of the country – the the Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry 85 only such hub in the world that is remote from any Report of the audit committee 86 significant water source. Board members’ report 87 Significant accounting policies 94 But this is a challenge that Rand Water has risen Consolidated income statements 101 to with success for more than a century – an Consolidated statement of recognised income achievement well worth a toast at this point in the and expense 101 United Nations’ International Decade for Action ‘Water Consolidated balance sheets 102 for Life’. Consolidated cash flow statements 103 Notes to the consolidated annual financial statements 104 Rand Water Annual Report 2008 1 underlying Rand Water VISION THE RAND WATER STORY Rand Water is an industry leader and partner of choice For over 100 years, Rand Water has been supplying in sustainable bulk water services.
    [Show full text]
  • Water and Development in the Context of the Greater
    Gold, Scorched Earth and Water: The Hydropolitics of Development in Johannesburg Paper presented to the Seminar on Water Management in Megacities at the Stockholm Water Symposium on 15 August 2004 By Anthony Turton Gibb-SERA Chair in IWRM & Universities Partnership for Transboundary Waters [email protected] With various inputs from Craig Schultz, Hannes Buckle, Mapule Kgomongoe, Tinyiko Maluleke & Mikael Drackner CSIR Report No: ENV-P-CONF 2004-022 Abstract Johannesburg is one of the few major cities of the world that does not lie on a river, a lake or a seafront. Since the discovery of gold in 1886, Johannesburg has grown from a dusty mining town to a major urban and industrial conurbation that houses and sustains a quarter of the total population of South Africa, accounting for 10% of the economic activity on the entire African continent. Water supply to Johannesburg is done by Rand Water, which is credited with sustaining the largest human concentration in the southern hemisphere that is not located on a river. This poses major challenges to engineers because the geology of the gold-bearing reef is also associated with the watershed between two major international river basins in Southern Africa – the Orange and the Limpopo. Being classified as Pivotal Basins1 in the Southern African Hydropolitical Complex, these two river basins form the strategic backbone to the economies of the four most economically developed countries in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region - South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe. In order to sustain the urban and industrial complex in the Greater Johannesburg Conurbation, massive Inter-Basin Transfers (IBTs) are necessary, posing a challenge to the notion of a river basin as a fundamental unit of management within the framework of Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM), because in essence every river basin in South Africa is now hydraulically connected to every other river basin, with this pattern starting to cross international borders in an increasingly complex web of transfer schemes.
    [Show full text]
  • Call for Service Delivery Partnerships Proposals
    CALL FOR SERVICE DELIVERY PARTNERSHIPS PROPOSALS. The Foundation is on a journey to becoming a National Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Centre of Excellence ensuring Communities’ access to clean and safe drinking water; Adequate and dignified sanitation facilities for vulnerable communities; Prevention of water sources contamination; and Promoting hands-washing for behavioral change on personal hygiene through; Business partnerships development for WASH, a socio-economic developmental model integrating water, sanitation and hygiene interventions through entrepreneurship and the NGOs’ sector as service delivery partners. Key strategic impact analysis resonates in Drinking Water; Sanitation and Hygiene; Water Quality; Water use efficiency; Water resources management; and Ecosystems. In addition to Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) as primary activities of the RWF, Enterprise Development and Capacity Building of NGOs are key drivers of WASH and therefore RWF strategic intermediary activities. Secondary activities include; Biodiversity and Ecosystems Management; Rural Development; and Rand Water Cares. Qualifying Small Micro and Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) are invited to submit service delivery partnership proposals for the implementation of the Rand Water Foundation primary, intermediary, and secondary activities as follows: 1. WATER SANITATION AND HYGIENE (WASH) PROGRAMME: WASH projects are aimed at ensuring safe management of water, sanitation, and hygiene in communities, further promoting a healthy society. The WASH programme will in 2021/2022 be implemented through the following projects: 1.1. Households Sanitation-Bucket Eradication. The project is aimed at providing communities with adequate sanitation facilities restoring households’ dignity by replacing bucket systems with hygienic, environment friendly and waterless households’ sanitation facilities. The project will benefit one hundred (100) households located in Mamafubedu, Petrus Steyn within Nketoane Local Municipality in the Free State Province.
    [Show full text]
  • The Case of Johannesburg Water: What Really Happened at the Pre-Paid ‘Parish Pump’
    The case of Johannesburg water: What really happened at the pre-paid ‘Parish pump’ PATRICK BOND Centre for Civil Society (CCS), University of KwaZulu-Natal JACKIE DUGARD Centre for Applied Legal Studies (CALS), University of the Witwatersrand 1 INTRODUCTION At around two o’clock in the morning on 27 March 2005, Phiri resident Vusimuzi Paki awoke to the shouts of a tenant who was trying to put out a fire in one of the other backyard shacks on Paki’s property. Assisted by neighbours, the first crucial minutes were spent trying to extinguish the fire using the pre-paid water meter supply that the Johannesburg Water company had recently installed to control the residents’ water supply. However, the water pressure was insufficient to make much impact on the fire and, after a while, the pre-paid meter water supply automatically disconnected due to insufficient water credit. Residents were then forced to scoop up ditch water with buckets in a desperate attempt to put out the fire. More minutes passed. One neighbour tried to telephone the police at Moroka police station but no-one answered the phone. After battling for an hour, residents finally put out the fire, but not before the shack had burnt to the ground. It was only after Paki’s tenant returned home from her night shift that everyone discovered to their horror that her two small children had been sleeping in the shack. They both died in the fire. Paki’s story highlights the life and death importance of pre-paid water meters. Beyond this tragic incident are other durable water problems: the daily indignity and inhumanity that people in Phiri (one of the poorest areas of Soweto) have had to endure since Johannesburg Water installed pre-paid meters as a cost-recovery measure, starting in 2004, and the prohibitively expensive price charged for subsequent water consumption.
    [Show full text]
  • Johannesburg
    Hydrological Heritage Overview: Johannesburg GOLD IN THE RAND, WATER FROM THE LAND Obtainable from: Disclaimer Design and layout: Water Research Commission The Water Research Commission (WRC) Dreamwave Design Solutions Private Bag X03 has approved this book for publication. Gezina Approval does not signify that the contents ISBN 978-1-4312-0710-7 0031 necessarily reflect the views and policies of Printed in the Republic of South Africa the WRC, nor does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement © Water Research Commission or recommendation for use. © Gerrit Burger Hydrological Heritage Overview: Johannesburg Gold in the Rand, Water from the Land Matthys A. Dippenaar (with photographic contribution by Gerrit Burger) A publication of the Water Research Commission of South Africa October 2015 SP91/15 Contents Preface 4 CHAPTER 2: 13 CHAPTER 3: 30 Acknowledgements 5 A GLIMPSE THROUGH TIME: A GLIMPSE THROUGH TIME: ANCIENT HISTORY RECENT HISTORY CHAPTER 1: 7 INTRODUCTION The Origin of Water on Earth 14 Discovery of Gold 32 A Long and Intricate Geological History 15 The Gold Rush and the Founding Johannesburg: City of Gold 7 Greenstone 22 of Johannesburg 33 The Hydrological Heritage Johannesburg Dome 22 After the war 37 Overview Project 9 Witwatersrand Supergroup 23 Urban Landscape 10 Ventersdorp Supergroup 25 Water Demands of the City Transvaal Supergroup and Black of Johannesburg 11 Reef Formation 25 Diabase and Syenite 26 Karoo Supergroup 26 Landscape Development and Surface Drainage 26 The Rise of Man 29 2 | Hydrological
    [Show full text]
  • Vaal Dam Is Transitioning to Hypertrophic State, Warns Expert
    Vaal Weekblad: Vaal Dam is transitioning to hypertrophic state, warns expert Vaal Dam is transitioning to hypertrophic state, warns expert Acipiding to water expert Dr Anthony Turton the Vaal Dam's green water is a clear indication that the dam is transitioning to a hyper. trophic state. The photos were taken earlier this month by nat ver Elaine Rogers at Hartbeesfontein at the dam. ° IAA Retha Fitchat "What's happening to the Vaal Dam?" This is the question on nature lovers' and the general public's lips after Vaalweek blad published photos of a seemingly heavily polluted dam last week, with wave upon wave of slimy, bright green water near the shore. The photos were taken two weeks ago by Elaine Rogers of Vanderbijlpark during a weekend trip to Hartbeesfontein, a well- known camping and fishing spot at the dam. She reported that some dead fish could be seen, although there were no signs of a major fish kill. After seeing Elaine's photos, Dr Anthony Turton, an acclaimed expert on the quality of water in South Africa, said the images are perfect examples of blue green algae Cyanobacteria hyper scum driven by eutrophication extreme nutrient load from dysfunctional sewage works. "In effect, the Vaal is now becoming exactly the same as Hartbeespoort Dam. From Harties we know that once the system flips to a hypereutrophic state it is impossible to get it back to 'normal' conditions at least in the case of Harties with decades of scientific effort," Turton said. "In short the Vaal Dam has just informed us that it is transitioning to a hypertrophic state and we know that once in that condition, our existing scientific knowledge and political will is unable to bring it back to normal again." Vaalweekblad requested Rand Water for comment on the current water quality of the Vaal Dam and will publish it as soon as it is received.
    [Show full text]
  • Reclaiming Public Water
    SOUTH AFRICA: TESTING THE WATERS OF PUBLIC- PUBLIC PARTNERSHIPS By Laila.. Smith South Africa’s first public-public partnership illustrates the potential for addressing some of the critical difficulties local governments face in delivering water services to the poor. In just three years, the partnership between Rand Water and the Harrismith local authority has had significant results that will hopefully set a precedent for the development of future serv- ice-delivery initiatives. Driving Harrismith’s need for a water partnership was years of infrastructure neglect which led to very poor effluent con- trol. The situation reached the point where “raw sewage was running through the river”. The Harrismith city council need- ed to join forces with an external service provider to improve the management of water and sanitation and explored numer- ous partnership options. The service-delivery challenges facing Harrismith need to be understood in the context of the region and recent munici- pal demarcation. Harrismith is part of the Maluti-a-Phophung (MAP) local municipality in the Free State province of South Africa. The local council boundary of Harrismith includes the former white town of Harrismith, the African township of Intabazwe five kilometres to the north, and parts of the former Qwa Qwa homeland, called Tshiame, located between 15 and 20 kilometres to the west. It is, therefore, a dispersed urban set- tlement with little to connect or integrate the separate compo- nents. Reclaiming Public Water 159 Harrismith’s urban complex is loosely grouped and spatial- When the Harrismith local authority explored private sector ly dispersed from the core of economic activity.
    [Show full text]
  • 1467 RW AR 2010 Information
    Vision To be a provider of sustainable, Strategic Objectives universally competitive water and • Achieve growth; sanitation solutions • Achieve a high-performance culture; for Africa. • Positively engage stakeholder base; • Maintain financial health and sustainability; and • Achieve operational integrity and use best fit technology. Mission To consistently meet the expectations of our customers, partners and the government by strengthening our capability to: • attract, develop and retain leading edge skills in water services; • sustain a robust financial performance; • develop and sustain globally competitive capabilities in core areas; • enter into and sustain productive partnerships; and • develop, test and deploy cost-effective technologies. Primary Activities and Key Competencies Bulk potable water supply Project and quality management Bulk sanitation services Commissioning of water and waste-water Products and other services treatment plants Operating and maintenance expertise Training, education and communication Engineering planning and designs programmes Catchment management services Infrastructure refurbishment Scientific and analytical services Water demand management Utility management Retail water services Sanitation and waste water management Water cycle management services 1 Rand Water Annual Report 2009–2010 Message from the Acting Chairperson of uninterrupted bulk water services supply despite the recessionary environment that characterised the year under review. Some costs saving measures were embarked upon and these mitigated the impact of the drastically reduced Tariff, and the double- digit increase in the cost of energy on the overall results. The Board approved a new Strategy for Rand Water and this created a basis upon which Key Performance Areas (KPAs) were developed. Performance Management was a high priority during the year under review and very strict targets were set for the Executive Management to accomplish.
    [Show full text]