The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) recently hosted a webinar on the national eutrophication management strategy to address the impact of water pollution in South Africa.
The webinar follows the DWS’s recent approval of the Eutrophication Management Strategy for South Africa (EMSSA). According to the DWS, the strategy aims to mitigate excessive nutrient enrichment in water bodies, protect water ecosystems and secure water resources suitable for various uses. In addition, it addresses nutrient inputs from sources such as agricultural, industrial, mining and urban areas, as well as wastewater treatment plants.
Nutrient Loading
The DWS initiated the EMSSA in 2019 and completed it three years later in response to the degradation of water quality trends caused by the widespread nutrient loading observed across the country. The strategy provides a detailed plan of action for the water sector to adopt and implement to fulfil goals and objectives of the National Water Act of 1998.
The DWS said the EMSSA also aims to limit anthropogenic nutrient-loading of water resources and to:
- reduce excessive primary production of algae and aquatic weeds in surface water resources;
- protect aquatic ecosystems and their biological diversity;
- secure water resources that are fit-for-use on a continuous basis and
- support ecologically sustainable development and socio-economic growth.
Eliminating Hyacinth and Water Lettuce
The EMSSA supports elimination of hyacinth and water lettuce as part of the eutrophication management process, fitting into national goals such as the Integrated Water Quality Management Strategy and the National Water Resource Strategy. These are all geared to transform the water and sanitation sector in relation with regards to eutrophication management and pollution prevention.
Vaal Dam lettuce infestation (Image: EWN)
Symptom of a Larger Problem
Experts attribute the current water lettuce and hyacinth proliferation in the Hartbeespoort and Vaal Dams to excessive nutrient enrichment. In addition, it was noted that currently 35% of total water storage available in SA dams had deteriorated in water quality due to excessive nutrient loading. Experts say the spread of hyacinth and water lettuce in dams and other water sources is symptomatic of a larger problem: the collapse of water treatment plants, which experts say is the result of bad water management.
Eliminating Phosphate and Nitrate
According to Professor Anthony Turton from the Centre for Environmental Management at the University of Free State, to completely eliminate the challenge, the solution should encompass addressing elevated levels of phosphate and nitrate. “These two chemicals are fertilizers and come from the many sewage works that discharge into the catchment area. Therefore, any sustainable solution has to include the elimination of phosphate and nitrate at the source – the points of discharge into the river,” he said.
Sharing best practices
During the webinar, officials from national, provincial and local key government structures shared their inputs regarding some of the best practices of managing eutrophication, which included:
- catchment management agencies
- sectoral institutions
- civil society members and
- non-governmental entities
Fostering Collaboration
The DWS also used the platform to not only raise awareness about the approved EMSSA, but a streamlined reporting process in relation to eutrophication management. This included positioning the sector for partnerships and collaboration. To foster collaboration and information sharing, experts from the African continent also took part in the webinar and shared their perspectives. This included Mr Obinna Anah, the Knowledge Management, Communications and Visibility Officer at the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW) and Dr Francis Oseke from the National Water Resources Institute in Nigeria.
