Waste
Water |
| Water is a prime
resource for any community, whether it be for household cleaning, sanitation, economic use
or recreational purposes. Since water is such a vital resource for survival of both plants
and animals, it is our responsibility to manage this resource, not only as a social,
industrial and commercial good but also for the sustainable benefit of all present and
future living matter. In order to obtain maximum utilisation of the available water resources, used water or wastewater must be returned to its original condition or standard. The quality of wastewater must be of such a standard so as not to negatively affect the quality of the body of water into which it is returned. The three main components that must be removed from wastewater are carbon, nitrogen and phosphorous. (Wastewater Treatment in Johannesburg: Information Handbook). Johannesburg is situated in the middle of two catchments or drainage systems; one flowing southwards to the Vaal River and the other flowing northwards to the Hartbeespoort Dam (Figure 1). Figure 1: Former Johannesburg City Council sewer reticulation and wastewater treatment system (Wastewater Treatment in Jhb: Information Handbook) All the wastewater emanating north of Hillbrow and Linksfield Ridge are collected in sewers that flow to the north. The rest of the 3 600km long sewer system flows to the south. Approximately 600 megaliters of sewage is treated daily by the Johannesburg City Council at 4 different plants, i.e. the Northern Treatment Works in the north, and the Bushkoppies, Goudkoppies and Olifantsvlei Works in the south (Figure 1). The main aim of wastewater treatment is to:
However the current waste water system is experiencing pressure from various driving forces, which constitute major challenges for the GJMC. |
