Province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa Water Resources and Management- Drought _______________________________ For the Water resources and management WG audience 08 April 2016
GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION OF KwaZulu-Natal South of African Continent, one of the 9 Provinces of the Country South Africa
KwaZulu-Natal WATER MANAGEMENT AREAS.
2009 VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT FINDINGS ON THE KZN WATER MAN. AREAS SECTOR CLIMATE EFFECTS (DRIVING GEOGRAPHICAL SHIFTS IN SPECIFIC CLIMATE ZONES.) VULNERABILTY FINDINGS (PROVINCE WIDE) RISKS (DISTRICT TO LOCAL) WATER Higher temperatures with average rainfall staying the same - There are areas with stressed water situation due to the area’s susceptibility to flooding and land degradation. - Some areas face severe water poverty due to years of prolonged drought. - In some parts of the Province there are water quality challenges associated with regular flood events recorded. - Stressed water situation identified for the catchments within the Mvoti-Mzimkulu Water Management Area. - Severe water poverty identified for the catchments within the Uthukela Water Management Area with the situation expected to worsen. - Also water quality challenges and high irrigation water demands identified for the Uthukela. - Water shortages and poor water quality conditions identified for the catchments within Usutu-Mhlatuze Water Management Area and may become worse. Higher temperatures and more rainfall Higher temperatures and less rainfall Altered frequency of extreme weather events
DROUGHT A period of unusually dry weather that persists long enough to cause problems, such as crop damage and water supply shortages. KZN has experienced “on average below-normal rainfall for 15 consecutive months since March 2014” (SAWS). Thus, declared a drought province
Average monthly rainfall:
IMPACTS (Dams) Provincial water storage (dams)
Midmar dam overflowing(Over 100% storage)
Midmar dam current status: may dry out in 7months (Witness Daily Paper 8 th April 2016
DamCapacity (Mil. m 3 ) %Outflow (m 3 /s) Rain (mm) Date Midmar Hezelmere Umzinto EJ Smith Dam status quo
3. Rivers, farm dams and wetlands Rivers dry-out: Umfolozi River
Reduced water levels in rivers, pumping stops
Taps dry-out, water restrictions introduced
Farmers stressed
Had to dig a pond for cattle
Cattle stuck in mud
CROPS
Groundwater Impacts Drying out of boreholes Reduced surface water flows Saline intrusion Land subsidence
Conserve water Fix and report leaking tapes and pipes Irrigate early in the morning or in the evening Use greywater for irrigation, etc. Use a bucket rather than a hose to wash your car (garden horse uses up to 30L/minute). Practice rainwater harvesting for irrigation Exploring re-salinization option at the coastal areas WHAT WE ARE DOING
WATER ROSOURCES PROJECTS IN RESPONSE TO CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS
OTHER INTERVENTIONS
Water is life: Respect it, Conserve it and enjoy it Thank you for you attention