Letters to the Editor

Letters

No denying climate change Coupled with this research was the need to in their response printed in the March/April The recent response by Dr Midgley and Prof determine the role of variations in solar 2007 issue of the Water Wheel (Is Climate Underhill to the earlier article by Prof Alex- activity on climate. Prediction Model Flawed?). I have suc- ander (Is Climate Prediction Model Flawed, No scientists have yet developed a cessfully developed, calibrated and verified Water Wheel March/April 2007) deserves multiyear climate prediction model or exam- a multiyear climate prediction model that amplification and emphasis. ined the role of solar activity. I examined meets the requirements identified by the Even without the details and statistical and reported on both aspects in my techni- commission of enquiry more than thirty years analysis provided by Midgley and Underhill, cal report, Long Range Prediction of River ago. the Alexander article was characterised by Flow – A Preliminary Assessment, published The ball is now firmly in the court of the some very strange arguments and pseudo- in 1978. My paper Floods, Droughts and Water Research Commission. With South logic. I strongly share the belief that peer Climate Change was published in August Africa rapidly approaching the depletion of review was either absent or minimal. We 1995 in which I successfully predicted the our remaining water supplies, and my predic- have a looming problem here and the only imminent reversal from drought to flood tion based on the model that we can expect uncertainties relate to the magnitude and time conditions. I continued my research. In April drought sequences all the way through to frame. 2004 my paper, Development of a Multiyear 2016, the commission is under a fundamen- There is the consolation that the Climate Prediction Model, was published in tally important obligation. The commission Midgley/Underhill article may well have Water SA. Based on my studies, in November must decide urgently whether or not my served to bring together data which might not 2005 I issued a flood alert. Climatologists studies meet the requirement set out in the have been easily accessible to many readers. disagreed. Within three months countrywide report of the commission of enquiry that led Maybe these authors could be persuaded floods occurred over virtually the whole of to the commission’s establishment. If the to provide some directions to authoritative, Southern Africa. commission has doubts about my work then easily accessible input on climate change My Water SA paper had three compo- it will have to initiate research on this topic as implications for this country. nents. The first was the further develop- a matter of urgency. Prof AT Forbes, Marine & Estuarine ment of a multiyear climate prediction By publishing the vitriolic article of Research, Hyper by the Sea model recommended in the commission of Midgley and Underhill, the commission (The letter has been edited – Ed.) enquiry’s report thirty years ago, including has unintentionally discouraged all future the influence of solar activity. The second research in this field. No researchers are Cooperation or confronta- was the development of an advanced method likely to undertake this research in the tion in water resource for numerical characterisation of the hydro knowledge that they may expose themselves development? meteorological processes that would be to personal attacks such as those published In the late 1960s, civil engineers in the needed for water resource development and in Water Wheel. Department of Water Affairs appreciated management applications as our resources Prof Will Alexander that South Africa’s water resources would become depleted. This characterisation (Climate change remains an extremely approach depletion soon after the turn of makes provision for changes in flow regimes passionate issue for researchers, the century. A commission of enquiry was resulting from climate changes once these decision makers and the public alike. appointed. Its 1970 report resulted in the can be verified and quantified. The third Due to the many uncertainties that remain, establishment of the Water Research Com- aspect of my paper was that I was unable it is understandable that there are many mission. The commission of enquiry also to detect any changes in the hydrometeoro- opinions regarding this issue. Only time recommended that research be conducted logical processes that could be attributed to will tell what the future climate will look on the development of a climate prediction global warming. like in South Africa. Please note that no model that was required for future water It is not all that clear which of these three other correspondence on this issue will resource development and management. aspects Midgley and Underhill challenged be accepted. – Ed.)

Letters must be addressed to The Editor and can be faxed to (012) 331-2565 or E-mailed to [email protected]. Letters are published at the editor’s discretion, and may be edited for length. Letters are strictly the opinion of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect the considered opinions of the members of the Water Wheel or the WRC.

The Water Wheel July/August 2007 Upfront

Let’s build New groundwater together – Minister sampling manual John M.C. Weaver Lisa Cavé A. Siep Talma ublic Works Minister Thoko Didiza has available Pcalled for greater cooperation in the construction industry in an effort to drive infra- new manual on groundwater sampling structure development in emerging economies. Ahas been published by the Water GROUNDWATER SAMPLING As government news agency BuaNews Research Commission (WRC). (Second Edition) reports the Minister was speaking at the This revised edition follows the publica- closing session of the International Council tion of the first manual by the organisation in for Research and Innovation in Building and 1992. Authors John Weaver, Lisa Cavé, and Construction in Cape Town earlier this year. A. Siep Talma explain that the purpose of the She said that the construction industry has a TT 303/07 manual is to provide consistent groundwater Water Research pivotal role to play in infrastructure provision. sampling techniques that will ensure that all Commission “Construction creates the foundations of the groundwater quality data collected is repre- global economy and the basis for human sentative of in situ groundwater quality. sampling techniques, and legislation govern- advancement. It also accounts for about 10% For many years, groundwater sampling ment sampling at pollution sites. of the global economy, and provides much has been directed towards evaluating water The new manual incorporates a number needed employment and dignity to millions quality of aquifers for water supply purposes. of additional sections, such as sampling for of people around the world.” Closely allied to this objective has been the isotopes, and down-hole logging, to name a That is why infrastructure development curiosity of hydrogeologists, who have wished few. Some chapters have been substantially continues to occupy a central position in to understand the natural processes that govern revised to include advances in field instru- government’s agenda to roll back the under- changes in groundwater chemistry over the dis- mentation, such as pH meter technology and development of decades of neglect, Didiza tances and time of long groundwater flowpaths. increased attention to organic compounds. said. The inherited backlog of uneven deploy- Recently, more attention has been “The manual provides sufficient technical ment coincides with the need for new levels focused on the contamination of groundwater. detail for hydrogeologists involved in water of infrastructure investment. With this attention the understanding of the supply projects to collect proper samples, Increased infrastructural development complex hydrogeochemical and hydrogeolog- and to conduct hydrogeochemical investiga- would enable the country to deliver the ical processes governing the fate and trans- tions of natural systems,” note the authors. Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative of port of these contaminants has increased. • To order the manual (WRC Report No TT South Africa (AsgiSA) which aims to achieve Closely linked to this has been a proliferation 303/07) contact Publications at Tel: (012) an economic growth rate of 6% by 2010 and of specialised sampling equipment, complex 330-0340 or E-mail: [email protected] to halve poverty and unemployment by 2014.

Keeping an eye on our rivers

his year’s World Water Monitoring Day Twill take place on 18 September. This international outreach programme, created by the Water Environment Federation and the International Water Association build public awareness and involvement in protect- ing water resources around the world. Held annually since 2002, the programme engages communities in monitoring the condition of local rivers, streams, estuaries and other water bodies. On-line site registration and purchase of monitoring kits begins on 18 July. The monitoring period occurs between 18 September and 18 October. • For more information, go to www.worldmonitoringday.org

The Water Wheel July/August 2007 Upfront

SA’s housing efforts not enough – UN expert Global news at a glance

• UN-Habitat has signed an agreement with Coca-Cola to collaborate on projects to improve community access to water and sanitation in India and Nepal. Among others, the collaboration will see 150 schools in West Bengal state receiving safe water and sanitation facilities. • The Sante Fe River is the most endangered river in the US, according to the American Rivers Organisation. • The World Bank will be providing US$360-million in loans and guar- antees to the 250MW Bujagali hydropower project in Uganda. The scheme, which will be constructed on the Victoria Nile, is due to be com- espite South Africa’s efforts to redress restitution claims. “In many such cases, missioned in 2011. Dhousing inequality, desperate living communities do not receive even the most • Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, conditions persist in some areas, according basic support services, including proper Somalia and Sudan have strength- to United Nations human rights expert Miloon sanitation, water, access to schools and ened East Africa’s capacity to predict Kothari following a visit to the country earlier access to livelihood options,” he said, climate-related disasters through this year. adding that “there are few follow-up support the establishing of a regional cli- Kothari, who is a Special Rapporteur mechanisms, such as regular maintenance mate monitoring institution, on adequate housing called on the govern- or service repair facilities in cases of reset- the Intergovernmental Alliance on ment to boost social services and take other tlement.” Development Climate Prediction and measures to improve all settlements. “Suc- To redress these conditions, Kothari Application Centre. cess cannot be measured merely through recommended that government improve • New research confirms that avoiding the number of houses built, but also needs coordination between departments of hous- deforestation can play a key role to take into account quality of housing and ing, water, health and social services, ensur- in reducing future greenhouse gas access to services.” ing a unified approach to housing. He also concentrations. According to CSIRO, While praising the South African advocated inclusive tactics for the rehabilita- in Australia, deforestation in the trop- government’s post-1994 efforts, he eluded tion of urban areas, strategies to mitigate ics accounts for nearly 20% of carbon to the many informal settlements which skyrocketing real-estate prices, restrictions emissions due to human activities. have sprung up as a result of large develop- on evictions and renewed concern for shelter ment projects, rapid urbanisation, and land for households headed by women. DWAF to spend billions on storing R184-m. to get rid of NW buckets water

he North West government has budgeted aimed at meeting the 2007 deadline for the significant percentage of the Department TR184-million for the eradication of the eradication of bucket sanitation. One of the A of Water Affairs & Forestry’s (DWAF’s) bucket system in all formal areas by the end local authorities battling to improve sanita- R5,3-billion budget for the 2007/08 financial of the 2007/08 financial year, government tion to receive funds is Matlosana Local year will go towards financing the construc- news agency BuaNews reports. Municipality, which will have R85-million tion of bulk raw water infrastructure. Delivering his budget speech earlier to replace its 14 000 bucket toilets. In total, Presenting her first budget as Minister of this year, MEC for Local Government & North West still has about 25 124 bucket Water Affairs & Forestry in Parliament earlier Housing Phenye Vilakazi said this was toilets in formal settlements. this year, Lindiwe Hendricks said funds had

The Water Wheel July/August 2007 Upfront

also been set aside for the maintenance of It is expected that these projects will in dam safety, weirs, canals, tunnels, pump future be implemented through the National Water by stations, siphons, pipelines and related Water Resources Infrastructure Agency. Numbers buildings. “My department has completed Meanwhile, Hendricks pointed to the lack of a preliminary assessment of refurbishment bulk infrastructure and wastewater capacity • 240 – The number of reservoirs under requirements, which is estimated at R3,1- as one of the greatest challenges faced by Umgeni Water’s jurisdiction. billion. While R1,5-billion has been secured municipalities. “This lack of infrastructure is • R4,8-million – Nelson Mandela Bay we will continue to investigate various ave- becoming increasingly acute as we roll out municipality’s estimated annual sav- nues for funding the R1,6-billion shortfall.” water and sanitation services.” ings through its water conservation While construction of the De Hoop Dam The optimum solution, according to the programme. People in the community gets underway in Limpopo, investigations into Minister, was often regional works that could are trained as plumbers and sent out to a number of other bulk raw water infrastruc- supply a number of municipalities. “My poorer areas to repair leaking pipes and ture projects continue. These include department has decided to establish a special taps. the construction of the Spring Grove and programme for water services bulk infrastruc- • 3 – The number of river systems of Mzimkulu Off-channel dams in KwaZulu- ture. The programme will come into operation strategic importance to eThekwini Natal, as well as the possible raising of the during this financial year, and a grant amount Municipality that are still in a natural Hazelmere Dam in the same province. Deci- of R1,4-billion has been allocated over the state. A total of 61 river systems were sions on these projects are expected this year. next three years.” surveyed. Another potential bulk infrastructure • 1 billion – The estimated number of being investigated at present is the Groot Heritage Site ‘out- people who have received at least basic Letaba River Water Resources Development sanitation in the last 14 years, accord- project in Limpopo. The main feature of grows’ old name ing to the United Nations. About 2,6 billion people are still without toilets, an this project is the possible construction of estimated 980 million of them children. the Nwamitwa Dam below the confluence outh Africa’s first World Heritage Site, • R2-million – The capital cost of the of the Groot Letaba and Nwanedzi rivers. If SGreater St Lucia Wetland Park, has been Kobeeberg project, which is supplying constructed, this dam could have a storage renamed. water to nine farms in the Vanrhynsdorp capacity of 144 million m3 and an estimated According to Minister of Environmental area, in the Western Cape, through four yield of 47-million m3 a year. Affairs & Tourism, Marthinus van Schalkwyk, the park’s new name, iSimangaliso Wetland groundwater pumps, and a new 18 km- The main purpose of the development Park, better reflects its “unique identify and pipeline and associated 21 water tanks. is to meet the projected growing primary sense of place”. “The 220 000 ha wetland • 11 Mℓ – The size of Rand Water’s larg- water requirements of the region to 2025 park has outgrown the name of St Lucia, est reservoir, Libanon. The water utility and to improve the water availability for the linked to the town and lake of the same name. has a total of 47 reservoirs. riverine ecosystem in an effect to improve “The consolidated boundaries of the park now • R284,8-million – The total funds the baseflows into the Kruger National Park. include a third of the length of the KwaZulu- allocated to the Eastern Cape to eradi- The project is also expected to stabilise water Natal coastline, and destinations such as Kosi cate the bucket system in the province, availability to the irrigation sector for existing Bay, Lake Sibaya, Sodwana Bay, uMkhuze according to government news agency development, including the establishment of Game Reserve, False Bay, Fannies Island, BuaNews. There are about 58 470 resource poor farmers. Charters Creek, Lake St Lucia, Cape Vidal households in the province still using Initial feasibility studies were completed the bucket system. and Mapelane,” the minister continued. “In in 1998. A bridging study addressing issues • 500 – The average daily water addition, internationally the island of St Lucia ℓ pertaining to environmental authorisation; consumption of a typical resident in in the Caribbean, with its newly-established project financing and technical aspects California, US. World Heritage Site, has a strong market (such as updating cost estimates, optimising • US$23,1-million – The earned reve presence, which dilutes the brand value of configuration and sizes, and reassessing the nues of the South African desalination our St Lucia Wetland Park.” yield) is underway at present. plant market in 2006, according to global growth consulting firm Frost & Sullivan. This value is expected to Water on the Web more than triple by 2013 spurred on www.hydrogeologistswithoutborders.org water in developing countries. HWB places a by increased demand due to expected Hydrogeologists Without Borders was initi- particular emphasis on potable water supply to future water shortages. ated by a group of Canadian Hydrogeologists the most impoverished areas of the world and • 300 000 – The number of deaths in 2005. HWB is a group of hydrogeologists, seeks to build hydrogeologic capacity to apply linked to a number of causes most water well technicians, groundwater specialists local solutions to the development, use, man- closely connected to shifting weather and groundwater organisations who share a agement and long-term protection of ground- patterns by 2030, according to the concern about the high importance of groundwater resources in developing countries. World Health Organisation.

The Water Wheel July/August 2007 Upfront

Water Diary WATER quality symposium will focus on the emerging field held at Breakwater Lodge, in Cape Town. The AUGUST 13-17 of river management and environmental theme for this year’s symposium is “Hydrol- The Unilever Centre for Environmental Water flows. Enquiries: Lynette Maxwell, E-mail: ogy and Water Resources: The Future is Not Quality is offering an introductory course in [email protected]; Visit: What It Used to Be.” Enquiries: Roxanna managing environmental water quality. Regis- www.riversymposium.com Cloete, Tel: (021) 481-2446; Fax: (021) 424- tration deadline: 24 July. Enquiries: Tel (046) 5588; E-mail: [email protected]; 622 2428; E-mail: [email protected] CLIMATE CHANGE Web: www.ru.ac.za/institutes/iwr/index/html SEPTEMBER 3-6 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT The Third International Conference on Climate WASTEWATER TREATMENT AUGUST 15-17 and Water will be held in Helsinki, Finland. SEPTEMBER 9-13 Sustain, the water, energy, earth and air Main themes include climate change and IWA’s 10th Specialised Conference on Large business-oriented exhibition will be held at hydrological extremes, climate change and Wastewater Treatment Plants will be held the Sandton Convention Centre. Visit: www. water resources; risk and risk management; in Vienna, Austria. This conference aims to sustainex.co.za adaptation to the impacts of climate change promote the exchange of experience and in the water sector; climate change mitigation knowledge in wastewater treatment between Drinking water and hydrology. Enquiries: Esko Kuusisto (con- designers, managers, operators and sci- August 19-22 ference secretary); E-mail: esko.kuusisto@ entists on an international level. Enquiries: DWAF, WISA and the WRC are hosting a ymparisto.fi; Visit: www.ymparisto.fi/default. [email protected] Drinking Water Quality Conference at Sun asp?contentid=169172&lan=en City. Enquiries: Taryn van Rooyen, Tel: (011) GEOCHEMISTRY 463-5085; Fax: (011) 463-3265; E-mail: RIVERS SEPTEMBER 10-14 [email protected] SEPTEMBER 3-6 The 7th International Symposium on Applied The Tenth International River Symposium Isotope Geochemistry will be held in Stel- BILLING & METERING and International Conference on Environ- lenbosch, Western Cape. Enquiries: Dr Jodie AUGUST 21-24 mental Flows will be held in Brisbane, Miller, Chair organising committee, Fax: (021) Billing & Metering World Africa will take Australia. Enquiries: Emily Smigrod, River 808-3129; E-mail: [email protected]; Web: place at the Sandton Convention Cen- Symposium event coordinator; Tel: +61 www.sun.ac.za/geology/aig7.htm tre, Johannesburg. Visit www.terrapinn. (0)7 3034 8230; Fax: +61 (0)7 3846 com/2007/bmwza 7660; E-mail: [email protected]. DAMS au; Visit: www.riversymposium.com/index. SEPTEMBER 17-19 RIVERS php?page=Symposium2007 The 14th German Dam Symposium will be SEPTEMBER 3-6 held in Munich, Germany, in conjunction The 10th International River Symposium and HYDROLOGY with the Seventh ICOLD Symposium. Environmental Flows Conference will be SEPTEMBER 6-7 E-mail: [email protected] or held in Brisbane, Australia. This year’s The 13th SANCIAHS Symposium will be Visit: www.conventus.de/talsperre

CT ups pump station power to help curb spills

he City of Cape Town will in future be pump stations failed, mainly due to local via a telemetry system which monitors which Tusing mobile and fixed power generation power failures. “The City has considered pumps are running, the availability of pumps, plants in collaboration with the city’s elec- installing standby generators at all sewage as well as pump trip conditions, including tricity department to curb possible sewage pump stations. However, this would come mains failure and power outages, wet well overflows. at an installation cost of R30-million,” high level alarm, and intruder alarms in In a report to the Utility Services Port- reported Clive Justus, Chair of the Utility high-risk areas. These monitoring systems folio Committee, the Directorate of Utility Services Portfolio Committee. “As this would provide an early warning to rectify the situa- Services says there are 501 pump stations not guarantee perfect functionality, the City tion before the pump station overflows. The in the metropole. Of these, 376 are used to has now embarked on a strategy of using a average response times to alarms range from pump sewage while others are used to pump combination of mobile and fixed generation 30 to 60 minutes, which is in most cases potable water to higher lying areas. plant.” ample time to prevent pump station over- In the last year, at least 33 of the sewage All sewage pump stations are monitored flows, the City said in a statement.

The Water Wheel July/August 2007 Upfront

HELP – Linking hydrology with society’s needs

With the HELP Southern Symposium taking place in South Africa in November, it is prudent to reflect on the origin and purpose of the HELP initiative and touch on progress that has been made to date.

ELP (Hydrology for the Environ- (draining into Mozambique) and the Some four hundred HELP basin Hment, Life and Policy) is a joint Thukela. These initiatives are being representatives and water UNESCO/WMO programme which led by the International Water Man- resources specialists from around is designed to establish a global agement Institute (IWMI) and the Uni- the world will share their experi- network of catchments to improve versity of KwaZulu-Natal respectively. ences and chart the way forward the links between hydrology and the A further HELP basin for the Berg for this important initiative. A parti needs of society. It is a cross-cutting River, coordinated by the University cular challenge for the Symposium programme of the UNESCO Interna- of the Western Cape, is under con- organisers is how to not only make tional Hydrological Programme, the sideration. With the unique challenge this an excellent once-off event, key intergovernmental programme to provided by the National Water Act but an ongoing process for shar- advance water science. that water resources management ing and learning – a HELP related should be devolved to 19 catchment International Centre of Excellence In many international water fora, for management associations, it would maybe? example the Second World Water seem desirable that each catchment Forum in The Hague in 2000, there and its management association To encourage wide participation from has been a growing call to advance should have an academic institution roleplayers and particular students, processes of collaboration between at its side, providing essential scien- the South African Committee has science and technology in a field tific support. extended the Call for Posters on the context and water policy and man- Symposium Themes until 31 July agement. This finally led to the HELP Given the need for science-led water 2007. Please submit your 1 page Programme, designed to create a resources management, the Depart- (150-300 words) to [email protected] framework that enables water law ment of Water Affairs and Forestry in and policy experts, water resources 2005 took the strategic decision to Should you be interested to attend managers and water scientists strengthen its National Committee this event, registration can be done to work more closely together on for the UNESCO-IHP. The Committee via the Symposium website www. water-related problems and achieve is now representative of the water unescohelp.co.za which also scientific results that are more directly sector as a whole and the Secretariat contains greater detail on the poster beneficial to the needs of society. is provided by the Water Research requirements. Commission. This is to be achieved in an integrated long-term programme with This move is to serve not only process hydrology undertaken at national interests, but“Paradigm where possible, Lock” larger drainage basin scales than also the sub-region and Africa as a previously, so that it can be of more whole. One of the first actions of the practical value to the resource man- new committee was to make a bid agement process. Importantly, the to host the prestigious HELP South- HELP design also recognised the ern Symposium in South Africa and inequality of opportunity between already the bit of vision and coopera- developed and developing coun- tion has paid off. tries, and therefore emphasises the technology transfer, education and capacity-building initiatives needed to allow the HELP objectives to be achieved throughout the world.

To date, some 70 HELP basins have been set up worldwide, with 14 of them in Africa. South Africa has two HELP basins, namely the Olifants The ‘Paradigm Lock’ based on outdated knowledge and technology.

The Water Wheel July/August 2007 10 Company news

New phase as TCTA turns 20 Anglo Coal aims for zero waste through new project

SIR and Anglo Coal have signed a Ccontract for the construction of a demon- stration plant to recover products from waste gypsum. The plant will reportedly make use of CSIR’s patented GypSLiM process which produces sulphur, limestone and magnesite from the waste gypsum produced during the neutralisation of acid mine-water. Anglo Coal, in partnership with BHP Billiton, is currently constructing the world’s first plant to produce drinking water from acid mine drainage. Water from the plant, which will have an initial capacity of 20 Ml/day, will CTA, originally created to implement and Vaal Dam to Secunda to sustain economic be supplied to the Emalahleni Local Munici- Toversee the South African side of the Lesotho growth and development in Mpumalanga. pality. Highlands Development Project, has turned 20. Sasol and Eskom are the main benefici- “Anglo Coal sees this (pilot project) as The company, a Schedule 21 State- aries of this R2,5-billion emergency project. an exciting opportunity to solve the waste owned entity, later handled liability man- The project is funded on a similar structure as problem by converting a mining environ- agement of the project. In 2002, TCTA was the BWP. mental liability into a sustainable asset,” appointed to fund and implement the Berg “The occasion of our twentieth anni- said Rian van der Merwe, Anglo Coal Head: Water Project (BWP) near Franschhoek, in versary assures a new phase in TCTA’s Joint Ventures and New Business the Western Cape. Construction of the project life,” said Chair Malixole Gantsho. “We see Development. He emphasised that even started in July 2004 at an estimated cost of ourselves as a key component of the future at the present 99% water recovery at the R1,6-billion. The project is funded through a National Water Resources Infrastructure Emalahleni Water Reclamation Plant, the combination of long-term committed facili- Agency, drawing on the reservoir of our waste being produced over the next 20 ties and a commercial paper programme to experiences and playing a catalyst role in the years will cost R300-milllion to manage, cater for short-term liquidity requirements. responsibility of funding, financing, imple- while the coal mining house is aiming for In 2004, TCTA was further issued a direc- menting, administering, further developing, zero waste disposal. tive by the Minister to implement and fund altering, refurbishing, operating, maintaining the Vaal Pipeline Project (VRESAP), a 121 and managing South Africa’s national water Chlorine gas km-long pipeline that abstracts water from the resources infrastructure going forward.” plant planned Water on the Web for Coega www.ewisa.co.za http://water.nml.uib.no/ E-WISA is the new business and information The Water Research Network database is a he Coega Industrial Development Zone system of the Water Institute of Southern Africa collaborative effort, run by the University of Thas signed its tenth investor, Singaporean (WISA), established to promote the Institute’s Bergen, in Norway, and sponsored by the chlorine manufacturing and water desalina- vision of “building expertise, sharing knowl- Norwegian Research Council and the Dutch tion company Straits Chemicals. edge and improving the quality of life for all government. The database is a tool in the The firm is reportedly investing R5,8- South Africans.” The main objective of the ini- process of creating a multi-volume publica- million in its Coega plant, which is expected tiative is to promote capacity building through tion entitled History of Water and Civilisation to be constructed in two years’ time. Once up online and off-line learning programmes. The initiated by UNESCO. The database is said to and running, it is expected to turn out 600 t website offers information on various subjects, be useful for researchers and students from of chlorine a day for local and international including water companies, water resources, various disciplines dealing with the role of markets. About 250 permanent jobs will be potable water and capacity building. fresh water in history and development. created by the new plant.

The Water Wheel July/August 2007 Global news 11

US fish show US alone, according to the report. “Bottled water might be an industry estrogenic activity winner, but it’s an environmental loser,” said Ling Li, a fellow with the Institute’s China new study from the US’ University of Programme who authored the report. “The A Pittsburgh Cancer Institute’s Centre for beverage industry benefits the most from our Environmental Oncology suggests that fish bottled water obsession. But this does noth- caught in Pittsburgh rivers contain sub- ing for the staggering number of the world’s stances that mimic the actions of estrogen, poor who see safe drinking water as at best a the female hormone. luxury, and at worst, an unattainable goal.” The study also demonstrated that the Consumers in industrial countries choose to chemicals extracted from the local fish drink bottled water for taste and convenience, can cause growth of estrogen-sensitive short-time scales, but overall there is no while in developing countries, unreliable and breast cancer cells cultured in the labora- difference in the long term,” said Funk. “We unsafe municipal water supplies have driven tory. Extracts of fish caught in areas heavily were surprised that the invasive plants were the growth in consumption. Yet many poorer polluted by industrial and municipal wastes not at a disadvantage under conditions where people who seek improved drinking water resulted in the greatest amount of cell growth. resources were scarce.” supplies cannot afford the bottled version. “We know that there are hundreds, even thou- Bottled water can be between 240 and 10 sands, of chemicals in the environment that 000 times more expensive than tap water. can have estrogenic activity,” said Dr Patricia Bottled water Global consumption of bottled water more Eagon, a principal investigator of the study. pricey for than doubled between 1997 and 2005, “These chemicals usually come from indus- securing the product’s place as the world’s trial pollution, farm animals, farm chemicals environment fastest-growing commercial beverage. The and municipal water treatment plants. What US remains the largest consumer of bottled he present boom in the global water surprised us most in this study was that these water, but among the top ten countries, India market could have detrimental effects on estrogenic materials are present in such eas- T has nearly tripled its consumption, while the environment, according to a new report by ily detected levels in local fish.” China more than doubled its consumption US organisation, the Worldwatch Institute. The next step in this research is to between 2000 and 2005. In parts of the world excessive withdrawal identify the estrogenic chemicals and their of natural mineral or spring water to pro- sources in the local water and fish. duce bottled water has threatened local Premature babies streams and groundwater, while the product caused by Aliens use consumes significant amounts of energy in ‘resource conser- production and shipping. pesticides in water Millions of tons of oil-derived plastics, vation’ as weapon mostly polyethylene terephthalate (PET), are he growing premature birth rate in the US used to make the water bottles, most of which Tappears to be strongly associated with iologists have long assumed that alien spe- are not recycled. Each year, about two million increased use of pesticides and nitrates, Bcies pose less of a threat in resource-poor tons of PET bottles end up in landfills in the according to work conducted by the Indiana environments because they are less able to com- School of Medicine. pete with indigenous plants, which have adapted According to Prof Paul Winchester, his to their habitats over thousands of years. team’s research found that preterm birth rates However, a new study, published in the peaked when pesticides and nitrates measure- April 26 issue of the journal Nature, has ments in surface water were highest (April-July) found that invasive alien plants can indeed and were lowest when nitrates and pesticides flourish in low-resource environments by were lowest (August to September). More than adopting efficient ways to use available 27 million US live births were studied. resources. Jennifer Funk, a postdoctoral fel- “A growing body of evidence suggests low in the Stanford Department of Biological that the consequence of prenatal exposure Sciences explains that the researchers stud- to pesticides and nitrates as well as to other ied three ecosystems in Hawaii, a forested environmental contaminants is detrimental to area with limited light, volcanic soils with low many outcomes of pregnancy. As a neona- nutrients and a desert. tologist, I am seeing a growing number of A total of 19 invaders were compared birth defects, and preterm births, and I think with 19 closely-related indigenous plants. we need to face up to environmental causes,” “Invasive plants were more efficient on said Dr Winchester.

The Water Wheel July/August 2007 12 Upfront

Helping municipalities manage their natural riches

new publication estuary; how to support A aimed at assist- the establishment of ing municipalities in sustainable businesses managing estuaries at estuaries; how to and their catchments optimise the benefits has been published and reduce the impacts by the Water Research of estuaries; as well Commission (WRC). as where to find more information. The publication, Estuaries & Integrated “Municipalities are Development Plan- development orien- ning: a Manager’s tated. They are trying to Guide, was prepared correct the disparities for the WRC and the of the past, trying to Tony & Lisette Lewis increase income- Foundation by the earning opportunities Courtesy of SA Tourism Centre for Environ- The view of the Knysna estuary increases property values by up to R2-billion. for residents and to ment, Agriculture & increase the income for Development at the University of KwaZulu- competition compromises the value of the themselves, so that there will be sustained Natal (UKZN). According to editor Duncan estuary system. delivery of infrastructure and services,” say Hay, it is hoped that the publication will the authors. “Estuaries provide numerous assist in the improved management of the According to the authors decisions have to opportunities to do this, and development country’s estuaries. be made about who gets what. “This requires should be encouraged. If we are unable to active management. Estuaries are not pri- obtain tangible economic benefits from a Estuaries are considered some of the rich- vately owned, they are public resources. So, system, what is the incentive for its manage- est natural resources in the world due to the management is complex, and requires coop- ment? However, we must go about obtaining goods and services they provide. In South eration between residents, interest groups, these economic benefits carefully.” Africa, estuaries are not only valued for their government and the private sector.” aesthetic beauty, which attracts tourists and • To order the publication (WRC Report No investors from all over the world, but also as Due to the relatively small size of the majority TT 294/07), contact Publications at Tel: sources of food and income to the poor. of South Africa’s estuaries (less than 100 ha), (012) 330-0340; Fax: (012) 331-2565; or all or part of an estuary is likely to fall entirely E-mail: [email protected] In Mngazana, for example, local community within a local or district municipality. These members harvest mangroves for building municipalities, through their integrated devel- material. These mangroves also form the opment planning (IDP) processes are then nursery habitat for fish caught by subsist- responsible for leading managing develop- ence and recreational fishermen, are the mental activities within their area of authority. focal interest of commercial canoe trails and contain a honey production business. The At present estuaries hardly feature in munici- economic value of these mangroves to pality IDPs as a scan of IDPs in the Eastern local communities is estimated at around Cape, where over half of South Africa’s R3,4-million a year. estuaries are located, shows. Estuary management is generally not considered and not Development in South Africa’s coastal areas, budgeted for, despite being valuable munici- at and around estuaries, and in their catch- pal assets. ments, has increased dramatically in the last Estuaries and Integrated few years. With this is an increased demand The new publication hopes to change this by Development Planning: for the goods and services that estuaries assisting municipalities to engage in more A Manager’s Guide supply. Different forms of development effective estuary management. It describes Duncan Hay (Editor) compete with each other for what an estu- the value of estuaries; how estuaries function; TT 294/07 Water Research Commission ary can provide and, in some instances this the potential impacts on the functioning of an

The Water Wheel July/August 2007