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 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 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 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.

Site-specific water quality guidelines: 1. Derivation approaches based on physicochemical, ecotoxicological and ecological data

2013 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 118-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. A. van Dam ◽  
C. L. Humphrey ◽  
A. J. Harford ◽  
A. Sinclair ◽  
D. R. Jones ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Ecological Data ◽  
Site Specific ◽  
Water Quality Guidelines ◽  
Quality Guidelines
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