CSIR warns of destructive impact of invasive plants on dam catchment inflows

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Water Research Commission have determined that up to 50% of the yearly inflows into the Western Cape’s Berg river dam catchment and Limpopo’s De Hoop dam catchment could be used up by alien plants, if uncleared, over the next 45 years – the average lifespan of dams in South Africa.

The study was published in the Water South Africa journal, titled “Impact of invasive alien plants on water provision in selected catchments” and authored by water experts and academics Dr David Le Maitre, Dr James Blignaut, Professor Lynette Louw, Professor Tally Palmer and Ian Preston.

Engineering News, 1 April 2019

Transnet approves further desalination plant studies at Cape Town port

State-owned Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has approved further studies to be done into a seawater reverse osmosis, or desalination, plant at the Port of Cape Town.

TNPA Cape Town acting port manager Alex Miya said in a statement on Monday that the next step would be to appoint consultants to conduct the studies, which is expected to be finalised by September.

Engineering News, 1 April 2019

Absa bank invests in efficient operations

In South Africa, the Absa bank campus in central Johannesburg has proclaimed that it houses a world-class energy centre and two of the largest grey water plants in the country, which can collectively recycle up to 22 million litres of water a year.

“We collect water from the office basins and showers, it is filtered, and UV lights are used to kill bacteria. It is then pumped into holding tanks and used to flush toilets,” says Aveshen Moodley, Absa’s vice president for environmental sustainability.

ESI Africa, 4 April 2019

North West premier commits to resolving impasse on Taung dam project

North West province premier Job Mokgoro has committed to ensuring that issues raised by the Batlhaping Ba-Ga Phuduhucwane traditional council are addressed to resolve an impasse in the implementation of the Taung dam maintenance project by the department of water and sanitation.

Mokgoro assured the community of Taung that the maintenance of the dam, which was nearing completion before the standoff, would enable sufficient capacity for additional water to reach 126 villages and the Naledi local municipality in Vryburg, which is also experiencing water shortages, his office said in a statement.

Engineering News, 4 April 2019

Series of citizen scientist tools released to help combat water monitoring restraints

The Water Research Commission has published a new report showcasing a toolbox that can help individual citizens better respond to the challenges around water resources

Citizen involvement in the monitoring of South Africa’s water resources is showing encouraging potential for citizen science to effect meaningful change in water resource management and contribute towards improved catchment condition.

Engineering News, 4 April 2019

Mapisa-Nqakula to visit Emfuleni for an update on Vaal River contamination

Defence minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula will on Friday revisit Emfuleni Local Municipality to give a joint report on the development and work done thus far at the Vaal River rehabilitation project.

Last year, the South African National Defence Force deployed about 300 of its specialised engineers to do clean-up work of the Sebokeng Waste Water Treatment Plant and other sources of sewage pollution of the Vaal River in the Emfuleni District.

Engineering News, 4 April 2019

Imminent global water shortfall can be managed through partnerships

The world has just over one decade to resolve key water supply challenges or risk facing a 40% shortfall, and demand management is seen as the fastest, cheapest strategy to get started on resolving the challenge.

One year after the release of a World Bank study that showed that maintaining a business-as-usual approach to managing water would lead to a significant deficit by 2030, World Bank senior water resources management specialist Nick Tandi said there was now a strengthening case for water stewardship.

Engineering News, 5 April 2019

The above reflects a summary of certain news articles published during the preceding week.

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