THE EASTERN CAPE RIVER HEALTH PROGRAMME (ECRHP) Presentation by Miss T. Guzana Date: 25 February 2010

BACKGROUND Chapter 14 of the NWA (1998), places a duty on the Minister to, “as soon as practically possible, establish national monitoring systems that would allow for the collection of appropriate data and information that is necessary to assess various aspects of aquatic resources”, including the health of aquatic ecosystems (NWA, 1998: 137(2)(f)). The Department has, as a result, developed an overarching Framework for National Water Resources Quality Monitoring Programmes to ensure that all monitoring programmes comply with the requirements of the NWA and that these programmes are effectively and efficiently implemented.

CONT… The National Aquatic Ecosystem Health Monitoring Programme (NAEHMP) forms part of this portfolio in response to the Department’s drive to align its national water resources quality monitoring. The River Health Programme (RHP) forms part of the NAEHMP. The RHP is designed to develop the capacity and information base, enabling reporting on the ecological state of our river systems, in an objective and scientifically sound manner. The information generated by the RHP assists in identifying areas of sustainable utilization and unacceptable ecological deterioration. The programme is based on assessing the condition of biological communities of rivers (such as fish, aquatic invertebrates and riparian vegetation) as well as river habitats to provide and integrated measure or health of the river systems.

RIVER HEALTH PROGRAMME CATEGORIES

CONT…

THE RIVER HEALTH PROGRAMME IN THE EASTERN CAPE The programme initiated in 2000 on the Buffalo River System The target to implement the programme in all the rivers in the region:  To have sound knowledge of the ecological health  To improve water quality and quantity  To protect aquatic resources Signed MoUs with Walter Sisulu University (WSU) and Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU), to train experiential learners within the programme.  10 students from WSU were trained and obtained their National Diplomas in Analytical Chemistry.  1 student from NMMU completed a Masters degree in Botany.

STRUCTURE IN THE EASTERN CAPE BIOMONITORING (River Health Programme) 2 X ADs 2XPr. Environmentalists 1 Ch Aq Technician 1 Snr Environmentalist 3x Aq.Technicians 1 Auxiliary Officer RESOURCE PROTECTION Acting Deputy Director RESOURCE DIRECTED MEASURES (Reserve Determinations) 1 AD STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT (Adopt-A-River Programme) 2x Expert Development Officers 1 x Snr Hydrologist

INDICES USED IN THE EASTERN CAPE SASS 5 FISH RIPARIAN VEGETATION GEOMORPHOLOGY WATER QUALITY

WATER MANAGEMENT AREA 12 (Mzimvubu-Keiskamma) River Health Programme implemented in 10 River systems:  Mzimvubu – working with the OR Tambo Municipality  Mthatha  Buffalo – working with regional DEDEA in the conservation/protection of endangered fish species i.e The Eastern Cape Rocky (endemic) and Barbus trevelyani  Keiskamma  Mbashe  Gonubie  Nahoon  Chalumna  Great Kei  Kwelera

STATUS OF WMA 12 RIVERS USING THE RHP CATEGORIES

WATER MANAGEMENT AREA 15 (Fish-Tsitsikamma) River Health Programme implemented in 18 River systems:  Kouga/Gamtoos – working with the Western Cape DWA Regional Office  Kowie  Kromme  Bushmans – working with NMMU with the monitoring of the estuary  Baviaans – working with “Working for Water” in the rehabilitation of the riparian zone  11 Tsitsikamma Rivers – working with Rhodes University, University of Stellenbosch, SANPARKS in the conservation/protection of macro-invertebrates.  Great Fish  Sundays  Swartkops

STATUS OF WMA 15 RIVERS USING THE RHP CATEGORIES

CONT… Data collection is done seasonally to better understand how the different systems work in the region. Ongoing updating of the Rivers database. Recommendations on water use licenses, inputs on Section 21 (c) and (i) of NWA. Technical inputs given to CME unit. Assisting Stakeholder Management with the Adopt-A-River Programme.

STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT Adopt-A-River Programme (River clean-ups). Awareness campaigns. Using data obtained from the River Health Programme to prioritise stressed or polluted rivers for the Adopt-A-River Programme. Formation of the Provincial Technical Task Team (PT3). Formation of the Provincial Task Team (PT2).

ADOPT–A-RIVER PROGRAMME To promote management of water resources at catchment level and river clean- ups Interested stakeholders trained by DWA officials in miniSASS, fish identification and on-site water quality testing. Kabega Primary School adopted the Baakens River in 2008 and the school has won gold in all science competitions. A database for schools in the region interested in the programme established. The programme used in the Greening of Mthatha Project initiated by the KSD Local Municipality. Through the Mthatha River clean-up, “Working for Water” secured funds from DBSA to remove the water hyacinth.

DWA STAKEHOLDERS RIVER HEALTH PROGRAMMEADOPT-A-RIVER PROGRAMME STATE OF RIVERSSTATE OF A SITE/S OF A RIVER DECISION MAKING AT REGIONAL LEVELDECISION MAKING AT CATCHMENT LEVEL RIVER REHABILITATIONRIVER CLEAN-UP PROTECTION OF ECOSYSTEMIMPROVED WATER QUALITY/QUANTITY ENVIRONMENTAL FRIENDLY SOCIETY SUSTAINABLE WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN THE REGION

THANK YOU!