CRITERIA FOR WATER MANAGEMENT ACCORDING TOT LA 21

Source: http://www.igc.apc.org/habitat/agenda

A synopsis of the key focus areas of Local Agenda 21 (chapter 18) has been used as a guideline for assessing responses on the driving forces of water pollution. Six broad categories have been identified in Local Agenda 21 as focus areas in response to water-related issues, which can be used for catchment management planning. The following five of these six apply to GJMC.

Protection of water resources, water quality and aquatic ecosystems

INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT PLANS

Basis for action

The extent to which water resources development contributes to economic well being is not always appreciated. Due to high population growth many countries face conditions of water scarcity, which in turn limits their economic development. The holistic management of freshwater as a finite and vulnerable resource and the integration of sectoral water plans and programs is therefore vitally important.

Objectives

• To assess water demands from industry, economic and social needs versus water availability
• To project water demand versus water availability
• To provide for basic needs and the protection of ecosystems
• To formulate Catchment Management water plans which integrate technological, socio-economic, environmental and human health concerns.
• To address community water needs within the framework of local economic development.
• To formulate management plans to ensure community participation.

Strategies as per Land Development Objectives (LDO), 1997

1. Formulate costed and targeted action plans and investment programmes
2. Measures for the protection and conservation of potential sources of freshwater supply, and making inventory of water resources.
3. Database with forecasting models, economic planning models and methods for water management and planning, EIA methods.
4. Allocation decisions through demand management, pricing mechanisms and regulatory measures.
5. EIA and social impact assessment of drought and flood.
6. Promotion of schemes for rational water use through awareness-raising, educational programmes and levying of water tariffs.
7. Mobilisation of water resources.
8. Integration of water quantity and quality management.
9. Water conservation through improved water use efficiency and wastage minimisation schemes.
10. Optimise local water resources.
11. Public participatory techniques and implementation in decision-making.
12. Dissemination of information, including operational guidelines, and promotion of education for water users.

• Well-managed land use will assist in improving ground water quality
• In co-operation with relevant parties, catchment studies should be produced to determine water quality and sources of pollution
• Establish a water quality-monitoring programme
• Establish an effective voluntary reporting system by Sectors requiring DWAF permits and proper means of verification including inspections.

Basis for action

Water resource assessment, including the identification of potential sources of freshwater supply, includes the ongoing determination of sources, extent, dependability and quality of water resources, and of the human activities that affect those resources.

Objectives

• To make available the water resource database
• To utilise this database in water management policy
• To establish institutional arrangements for collection, processing, storage, retrieval and dissemination to users of information about the quality and quantity of available water resources.

DRINKING WATER SUPPLY AND SANITATION

• Safe water supplies and environmental sanitation is important to protect the environment, to improve health and alleviate poverty.
• An estimated 80 percent of all diseases (LINK TO HEALTH CHAPTER) and over one third of deaths in developing countries are caused by the consumption of contaminated water.

Objectives

• To protect the environment and safeguard health through the integrated management of water resources, liquid and solid waste
• To introduce institutional reforms to promote an integrated approach, including changes in procedures, attitudes and behaviour
• To promote community management of services
• To create awareness through information dissemination and public participation

Activities

1. Environment and health

• Sanitary disposal of excreta and sewage, using appropriate systems to treat waste waters
• Adequate sewage treatment facilities and drainage systems
• Treatment and safe reuse of domestic and industrial waste water
• Control of water associated diseases

1. People and institutions

• Decisions to be taken at the lowest appropriate level with public consultation and involvement of users in planning and implementation

1. Community management

• Support and assistance to communities in managing their own systems on a sustainable basis
• Participation of communities in water management
• Promotion of primary health and environmental care at the local level, including training for local communities in appropriate water management techniques and primary health care

• Rehabilitation of defective systems, reduction of wastage and the safe reuse of water and waste water
• Programmes for rational water use and continued operation and maintenance
• Increase urban treatment capacity with increased loads

1. Awareness creation and public information / participation

• Strengthening of sector monitoring and information management

Vision for water and sanitation as per LDOs

• Incorporation of former townships into SMLC will result in improved provision and management of bulk and reticulated services, which will improve water quality if not accompanied by massive unmanaged urban development.
• Upgrading of sewer systems and improvement of storm water services

Basis for action

Urbanisation and industrialisation place strains on the water resources and environmental protection capabilities of cities. Urbanisation thus impacts on water demands, usage, management and the treatment thereof. Water shortages and the development of new resources also have a considerable impact. Improved management of urban water resources, including the elimination of unsustainable consumption patterns can make a contribution to the alleviation of poverty and the improvement of the health and quality of life of the urban poor.

Objectives

To implement environmentally sound management of water resources. This will give rise to strategies and actions to :

• ensure the continued supply of affordable water for present and future needs, and
• reverse current trends of resource degradation and depletion.

Activities

1. Protection of water resources from depletion, pollution and degradation
2. Efficient and equitable allocation of water resources
3. Institutional / legal / management reforms
4. Promotion of public participation in water conservation and water demand management
5. Support of local capacity building
6. Providing enhanced access to sanitary services

• There are substantial opportunities for water saving through improved leak detection; by introducing water efficient plumbing, and efficient water metering.
• The overall growth in water demand in Greater Johannesburg needs to be met with measures to reduce water demand and wastage in co-operation with relevant parties.
• Water saving technology and methods should be investigated in order to change consumer behaviour.

PROTECTION OF WATER RESOURCES, WATER QUALITY AND AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS

Basis for action

Problems include the inadequate supply of freshwater, poor water quality and pollution of surface and groundwater sources. These problems occur from inadequately treated domestic sewage; inadequate controls of the discharges of industrial wastewater; loss and destruction of catchment areas; ill-considered siting of industrial plants; inadequate waste services, and growing populations which impact on water quality and quantity. The leaching of nutrients and pesticides threatens aquatic ecosystems, and living freshwater resources are threatened.

Many of these problems have arisen from a development model that is environmentally destructive, and from a lack of public awareness and education about surface and groundwater resource protection.

Ecological and human health effects are the measurable consequences. (link to environmental health)

Objectives

• To utilise a catchment management approach, based on the needs of people and the environment.
• To protect groundwater resources.
• To integrate water-quality elements into water resource management

Activities

• Water resource protection and conservation
• Water pollution prevention and control
• Development and application of clean technology
• Groundwater protection
• Protection of aquatic ecosystems
• Protection of freshwater living resources
• Monitoring and surveillance of water resources and waters receiving waste
• Development of legal instruments for the protection of the quality of water resources

• Substantial room exists to improve the management of rivers, streams and wetlands as major recreational and natural features. These are currently under major pressure from development proposals, informal activities and illegal dumping.
• An effective public education and awareness programme needs to be established on water pollution and use.
• Improved service provision and community education is needed to prevent pollution from run-off from Powa Park.

Current responses to water pollution in Greater Johannesburg

• Establishment of the Jukskei catchment monitoring programme and forum
• Establishment of the Klip River Catchment monitoring programme and forum

• Use of the Geographic Information System to map pollution points
• Provision of sanitation services
• Establishment of Water pollution by-laws
• Provision of safe drinking water

• Doornkop Water Conservation Project:
• National Water Week - March 1998

Gaps Still to be Included

• Legislative framework
• Institutional Capacity
• Groundwater analysis
• Analysis of wet industries
• Catchment bio-diversity / species
• Current status of joint projects between national, provincial and international role-players
• Cross analysis of socio-economic issues that impact on water pollution
• Water pollution projections
• Water consumption patterns in relation to water demand and water availability

REFERENCES

Cydna Labs 1998:

DWAF 1999: Guidelines for Training and Capacity Building on Water Supply Projects.

Jukskei Catchment 1995:

Miller, G.T. 1993: Environmental Science: Sustaining the Earth. (4^th ed). Wadsworth: California.

Selby, M.J. 1985: Earth’s Changing Surface. Oxford: New York.

SMLC 199 : Fact Package

Stewart Scott 1996