scholarly journals Prevalence of bromide in groundwater in selected regions in South Africa

Water SA ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 45 (3 July) ◽  
Author(s):  
HL Lucht ◽  
NH Casey
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Water Quality ◽  
South African ◽  
Specific Area ◽  
Water Source ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting Chemical ◽  
Quality Guidelines ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting ◽  
Toxicity Risk ◽  
Domestic Use

Many regions across South Africa are dependent on groundwater as the only water source for livestock watering and domestic use. This paper presents an analysis of 350 water samples from collated data of 5 reports published between 2001 and 2016 that show the vast range of 0–132.68 mg/L bromide (Br−) present in South African groundwater. It further highlights that Br− may be a greater toxicity risk factor to livestock production and human health as an endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC) and through accumulation in organs than previously considered. Further validation is required of the physiological effects of Br− for inclusion in water quality guidelines (WQG). Attention is drawn to the importance of site-specific water quality (WQ) monitoring and identification of vulnerable populations to enable adequate risk assessment and implementation of mitigating strategies to lower exposure risk in a specific area.

The development of South African water quality guidelines for the natural aquatic environment

1995 ◽  
Vol 32 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 293-299
Author(s):  
H. M. MacKay ◽  
D. J. Roux ◽  
P. J. Ashton ◽  
H. R. van Vliet ◽  
S. Jooste
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Water Quality ◽  
South African ◽  
Aquatic Ecosystems ◽  
Toxic Substances ◽  
Site Specific ◽  
Water Quality Guidelines ◽  
Quality Guidelines ◽  
Physico Chemical ◽  
South African Water

This paper describes the progress made by the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry in the development of documented water quality guidelines for aquatic ecosystems in South Africa, which will be able to take into account local and site-specific conditions. Proposed guidelines for toxic substances, nutrients and physico-chemical variables are described.

scholarly journals Assessing the Effects of Land Use on Surface Water Quality in the Lower uMfolozi Floodplain System, South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 561
Author(s):  
Mandla Dlamini ◽  
George Chirima ◽  
Nebo Jovanovic ◽  
Elhadi Adam
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Water Quality ◽  
Land Use ◽  
South African ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Surface Water Quality ◽  
Quality Parameters ◽  
Sodium Adsorption Ratio ◽  
Nitrate Content ◽  
Quality Guidelines

This study investigated the impacts of cultivation on water and soil quality in the lower uMfolozi floodplain system in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa. We did this by assessing seasonal variations in purposefully selected water and soil properties in these two land-use systems. The observed values were statistically analysed by performing Student’s paired t-tests to determine seasonal trends in these variables. Results revealed significant seasonal differences in chloride and sodium concentrations and electrical conductivity (EC) and the sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) with cultivated sites exhibiting higher values. Most of the analyzed chemical parameters were within acceptable limits specified by the South African agricultural-water-quality (SAWQ) water quality guidelines for irrigation except for sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), chloride, sodium and EC. EC, pH and nitrate content which were higher than the specified SAWQ limits in cultivated sites. Quantities of glyphosate, ametryn and imidacloprid could not be measured because they were below detectable limits. The study concludes that most water quality parameters met SAWQ’s standards. These results argue for concerted efforts to systematically monitor water and soil quality characteristics in this environment to enhance sustainability by providing timely information for management purposes.

scholarly journals An Evaluation of the Cumulative Surface Water Pollution on Selected Areas within the Consolidated Main Reef Area, Roodepoort, South Africa

2013 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. ASWR.S12997
Author(s):  
D.N. Muruven ◽  
M. Tekere
Keyword(s):  
Water Pollution ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Water Quality ◽  
Surface Water ◽  
South African ◽  
Fecal Coliforms ◽  
The South ◽  
Surface Water Pollution ◽  
Water Quality Guidelines ◽  
Quality Guidelines

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.

Marine water quality management in South Africa

1995 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 281-288
Author(s):  
Susan Taljaard ◽  
Willem A. M. Botes
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Water Quality ◽  
Quality Management ◽  
Water Quality Management ◽  
Management Plan ◽  
Specific Reference ◽  
Information Requirements ◽  
Water Quality Guidelines ◽  
Quality Guidelines ◽  
Beneficial Uses

In South Africa the ultimate goal in water quality management is to keep the water resources suitable for all “beneficial uses”. Beneficial uses provides a basis for the derivation of water quality guidelines, which, for South Africa, are defined in Water quality guidelines for the South African coastal zone (DWAF, 1991). The CSIR has developed a practical approach to marine water quality management, taking into account international trends and local experience, which can be applied to any coastal development with potential influence on water quality. The management plan is divided into three logical components, i.e. • site-specific statutory requirements and environmental objectives; • system design with specific reference to influences on water quality; and • monitoring programmes. Within this management approach water quality issues are addressed in a holistic manner, through focused procedures and clear identification of information requirements. This paper describes the procedures and information requirements within each component of the water quality management plan, with specific reference to marine disposal systems. Ideally, the management plan should be implemented from the feasibility and conceptual design phase of a development and the timing of the different procedures within the development process are therefore also highlighted. However, the logical lay-out of procedures allows for easy initiation (even to existing disposal system) at any stage of development.

scholarly journals Water quality modelling of an impacted semi-arid catchment using flow data from the WEAP model

2018 ◽  
Vol 377 ◽  
pp. 25-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew R. Slaughter ◽  
Sukhmani K. Mantel
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Water Quality ◽  
South African ◽  
Water Resources Management ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Water Quality Modelling ◽  
Weap Model ◽  
Resources Management ◽  
Systems Model ◽  
Semi Arid

Abstract. The continuous decline in water quality in many regions is forcing a shift from quantity-based water resources management to a greater emphasis on water quality management. Water quality models can act as invaluable tools as they facilitate a conceptual understanding of processes affecting water quality and can be used to investigate the water quality consequences of management scenarios. In South Africa, the Water Quality Systems Assessment Model (WQSAM) was developed as a management-focussed water quality model that is relatively simple to be able to utilise the small amount of available observed data. Importantly, WQSAM explicitly links to systems (yield) models routinely used in water resources management in South Africa by using their flow output to drive water quality simulations. Although WQSAM has been shown to be able to represent the variability of water quality in South African rivers, its focus on management from a South African perspective limits its use to within southern African regions for which specific systems model setups exist. Facilitating the use of WQSAM within catchments outside of southern Africa and within catchments for which these systems model setups to not exist would require WQSAM to be able to link to a simple-to-use and internationally-applied systems model. One such systems model is the Water Evaluation and Planning (WEAP) model, which incorporates a rainfall-runoff component (natural hydrology), and reservoir storage, return flows and abstractions (systems modelling), but within which water quality modelling facilities are rudimentary. The aims of the current study were therefore to: (1) adapt the WQSAM model to be able to use as input the flow outputs of the WEAP model and; (2) provide an initial assessment of how successful this linkage was by application of the WEAP and WQSAM models to the Buffalo River for historical conditions; a small, semi-arid and impacted catchment in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. The simulations of the two models were compared to the available observed data, with the initial focus within WQSAM on a simulation of instream total dissolved solids (TDS) and nutrient concentrations. The WEAP model was able to adequately simulate flow in the Buffalo River catchment, with consideration of human inputs and outputs. WQSAM was adapted to successfully take as input the flow output of the WEAP model, and the simulations of nutrients by WQSAM provided a good representation of the variability of observed nutrient concentrations in the catchment. This study showed that the WQSAM model is able to accept flow inputs from the WEAP model, and that this approach is able to provide satisfactory estimates of both flow and water quality for a small, semi-arid and impacted catchment. It is hoped that this research will encourage the application of WQSAM to an increased number of catchments within southern Africa and beyond.

The Economic Impact on an Urban and Industrial Complex of Mineral Pollution in the Water Supply – A Case Study

1982 ◽  
Vol 14 (4-5) ◽  
pp. 381-395 ◽  
Author(s):  
J J C Heynike ◽  
S F McCulloch
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Water Quality ◽  
Mathematical Modelling ◽  
Water System ◽  
Water Source ◽  
Economic Effects ◽  
Industrial Complex ◽  
The Republic ◽  
Mineral Pollution

The only water source available to the most dense urban industrial and mining territory in the Republic of South Africa is subjected to increasing mineral pollution. Investigations of the causes and effects are referred to as well as to the mathematical modelling of the water system that could lead to improved water quality. The economic effects and costs to the Community as a whole are described and quantified.

Drinking water quality for peri-urban residents in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 512-521 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Thomas ◽  
E. McBean ◽  
H. M. Murphy
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Urban Communities ◽  
Distribution Systems ◽  
Water Source ◽  
Water Type ◽  
Phnom Penh ◽  
Quality Guidelines ◽  
Treatment Type ◽  
Guideline Values

Piped distribution systems are limited to major urban centres in Cambodia, leaving the residents of peri-urban communities to rely on a variety of surface, rain and groundwater sources for their drinking water supplies. This paper examines microbial water quality results from two of Phnom Penh's peri-urban communities, and describes relationships between water source and treatment type, study site and storage vessel, relative to water quality guidelines. Treating water by boiling was a common practice, although the majority of residents indicated using boiling times far greater than required, which may impact adoption rates. A statistical difference is described between boiled water by source type, with boiled shallow well water having elevated E. coli levels. The only household drinking water type that met WHO guidelines most of the time was boiled rain or tank (vendor) water (56%); boiled rain or tank (vendor) water stored in a kettle, bucket/cooler or bucket with spigot met guideline values 69, 43 and 60% of the time, respectively. The highest quality water is from boiled rain or tank (vendor) water taken directly from a kettle. The findings described provide some insight on how to prioritize water options for various uses.

scholarly journals Review: Natural organic matter in aquatic systems – a South African perspective

Water SA ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 44 (4 October) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nhamo Chaukura ◽  
Nqobile G Ndlangamandla ◽  
Welldone Moyo ◽  
Titus AM Msagati ◽  
Bhekie B Mamba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Water Quality ◽  
Organic Matter ◽  
South African ◽  
Natural Organic Matter ◽  
Ecological Impact ◽  
Ceramic Membranes ◽  
Urban Landscapes ◽  
Hydroxyl Groups ◽  
Characterization Methods

Natural organic matter (NOM) is a complex heterogeneous mixture of humic (HS) and non-humic substances which are widespread in the aquatic environment. Other constituents are amino acids, aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons containing oxygen, nitrogen and hydroxyl groups. It is the combination and proportions of these motifs which give NOM its overall polarity and reactivity. Its main origins include soils, residues of fauna and flora, microbial excrements and anthropogenic faecal loads, agriculture activities and urban landscapes. Due to the different origins of the precursor material and the extent of transformation it undergoes, the composition of NOM in different water bodies varies. Characterization methods for NOM can be divided into three broad categories namely: (i) direct measuring methods, which measure the amount of organic matter in the sample; (ii) spectrometric methods, which measure the amount of radiation absorbed and or released by chromophores; and (iii) fractionation methods, which separate NOM according to size and polarity. South Africa has 6 distinct water quality regions, and each region has a unique NOM character and quantity. Existing water treatment plants do not remove NOM to levels low enough to inhibit the formation of disinfection by-products (DBPs). Currently, research is focusing more on the use of alternative techniques for NOM removal; these include advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), nanomaterials, and ceramic membranes. While NOM is well studied in other parts of the world, to the best of our knowledge, there is no state-of-the-art investigation of the occurrence and removal of NOM in South African source waters. This review aims at (i) synthesizing literature on the nature, occurrence and ecological impact of NOM, (ii) evaluating the removal of NOM in the six different water quality regions of South Africa, and (iii) suggesting novel approaches that can be used to remove NOM in South Africa.

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