Exploring environmental perceptions, behaviors and awareness: water and water pollution in South Africa

Mining has long been at the center of the South African economy and has contributed to significant developments within the country. However, despite the large economic impact, surface water pollution due to mining is prevalent in most of the country's water catchments. Surface water in many areas of the central Roodepoort area in Johannesburg, South Africa, has also been impacted primarily by mining activities. The surface water quality for the Bosmontspruit, Russell's Stream, and the New Canada Dam was assessed in this study from October 2010 to March 2011. Physicochemical and biological characteristics of the water were determined for eight monitoring points, and the results obtained were compared with the in-stream water quality guidelines for the Klip River catchment and the South African Water Quality Guidelines. A trend noticed throughout the sampling period was the noncompliance to the set target water quality ranges (TWQRs) in the levels of total dissolved solids (TDS) and dissolved oxygen (DO). The results indicate that concentrations of iron, aluminum, nickel, manganese, and potassium were above the permissible limits across the Bosmontspruit and Russell's Stream. Excessive fecal coliforms and ammonium pollution were also detected in the Bosmontspruit. Additionally, during the monitoring period, it was noted that the water was being utilized for domestic purposes, and may pose health hazards due to poor water quality.

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Diffuse pollution associated with the mining sectors in South Africa: a first-order assessment

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.2007.066 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 55 (3) ◽

pp. 9-16 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

S.E. Coetser ◽

R.G.M. Heath ◽

N. Ndombe

Keyword(s):

Water Pollution ◽

South Africa ◽

Water Quality ◽

Mining Industry ◽

Source Water ◽

Diffuse Source ◽

Levels Of Detail ◽

Available Information ◽

Different Levels ◽

Receiving Water

Internationally it has become recognised that diffuse source water pollution from mining activities severely affects the degradation of water quality especially with regards to acidification and metal loading. South Africa is facing major problems with regard to the management and treatment of contaminated mine water. Very little has been published for South Africa about the quantities and qualities of diffuse source water pollution by the mining industry. Furthermore the available information has not yet been compiled into a consolidated overview that presents the total picture. Some of the problems that limit the use of the available information and would necessitate further processing to normalise the data, derive from the fact that the investigations producing the information were done at different times, to different levels of detail and using different approaches. A further complicating factor is that data for some mining commodities may not be available and may necessitate further investigation. The overview of the quantities and qualities of non-point source effluent production by different sectors needs to be interpreted in terms of the effect the effluent can be expected to have on receiving water quality (both surface and groundwater). It would thus be necessary to categorise waste types according to their effect on water quality and synthesise the data to obtain an estimate of the threat that different sectors and sub-sectors pose to receiving water quality.

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Perceptions of Water Pollution in South Africa: Case Studies from Two Water Bodies (Hartbeespoort Dam and Zandvlei)

South African Journal of Psychology ◽

10.1177/008124638901900403 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 19 (4) ◽

pp. 199-204 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

J.A. Thornton ◽

P.H. McMillan ◽

P. Romanovsky

Keyword(s):

Water Pollution ◽

South Africa ◽

Water Quality ◽

North America ◽

Plant Growth ◽

Aquatic Plant ◽

Environmental Issues ◽

Inland Waters ◽

The Public ◽

Demographic Background

A questionnaire survey of over 3 000 recreational users of inland waters in the greater Pretoria and Cape Town areas was conducted during 1987/8 for the purpose of quantifying, as far as possible, the perceptions of the public towards water quality and water pollution in South Africa. Respondents indicated that excessive aquatic plant growth and other visually aesthetic factors were the principal determinants of water quality, regardless of demographic background. These results are comparable to results obtained in similar studies in north America and appear to be indicative of a rising awareness of environmental issues in South Africa. There was a general willingness among respondents to meet the higher costs associated with the achievement of improved standards of water quality and the elimination of the perceived problems enumerated above.

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The use of different enzymes in feral freshwater fish as a tool for the assessment of water pollution in South Africa

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety ◽

10.1016/j.ecoenv.2003.09.004 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 59 (2) ◽

pp. 180-185 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

I.E.J. Barnhoorn ◽

J.H.J. van Vuren

Keyword(s):

Water Pollution ◽

South Africa ◽

Freshwater Fish

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Funding Water Pollution Control in South Africa

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.1982.0156 ◽

1982 ◽

Vol 14 (9-11) ◽

pp. 1225-1237

Author(s):

J A Lusher

Keyword(s):

Water Pollution ◽

South Africa ◽

Pollution Control ◽

Elementary Theory ◽

Industrial Area ◽

Point Of View ◽

Present System ◽

Water Pollution Control ◽

Role Of The State

Water pollution control in South Africa is discussed from the point of view of cost and available sources of revenue. It is shown how state interests in water are generated and how the present system of water pollution control is derived from this. An example concerning the mineralisation of the water resources of the central Transvaal industrial area is used to illustrate social cost. The position of local authorities with regard to income and expenditure on water-based services is examined in detail. The role of the State in these matters is determined. The conclusions drawn from the survey and a discussion of the elementary theory of water price are used to construct a motivation for a tax system, designed to curb pollution and to reimburse major water purchasers.

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