1. WATER POLLUTION OF RIVERS AND DAMS
PRESENTATION TITLE
Presented by:
Name Surname
Directorate
Date
WATER POLLUTION OF RIVERS AND DAMS
Presented by:
Name Surname: Hangwani D. Mabada
Designation: Director
Directorate: Water Sector Regulation
Date: 20 June 2018

2. Definition of water pollution Sources of pollution & pathways
CONTENTS
Definition of water pollution
Sources of pollution & pathways
Water uses and users
Impact of water pollution
Interventions & mitigations

3. DEFINITION OF WATER POLLUTION
'‘Pollution'' means the direct or indirect alteration of the physical, chemical or biological properties of a water resource so as to make it—
less fit for any beneficial purpose for which it may reasonably
be expected to be used; or
harmful or potentially harmful to :
the welfare, health or safety of human beings;
any aquatic or non-aquatic organisms;
the resource quality; or
property;

4. Industrial discharge pollution

5. SOURCES OF POLLUTION AND PATHWAYS
Sources of water pollution are vast and their impact excruciating. Amongst others, the following sources of pollution are identified:
The discharge of raw sewage/untreated wastewater into the water resource
The direct dumping of garbage/solid waste into water bodies
Oil spills seeping/flowing into water resources
Industrial wastewater discharged directly into water resources,
Overflowing sewers
Diffuse pollutants from agricultural activities
AMD decanting
Unregistered and illegal water users discharging without authorisation

6. Illegal dumping of waste in nearby streams in Diepsloot

8. WATER USES AND USERS
Water use refers to the carrying out of any activity that has an impact on the water resource, including:
The amount of water in the resource,
The quality of the water in the resource,
The environment surrounding the resource.
These water uses, depending on the risk, are regulated by DWS through a water use authorisation system (i.e. Schedule 1, General Authorisations and Water Use Licences).
Water users refers to the individuals or organisations that use water for agriculture, bulk storage, forestry, industry, mining, power generation, recreation as well as rural and urban water services.

10. Economic impact (livestock, crops, job losses etc.)
IMPACTS OF WATER POLLUTION
Economic impact (livestock, crops, job losses etc.)
Outbreak of water-borne diseases
High mortality rate
Fish kills incidents
Oxygen depletion
Lowering of pH
Toxicity (bio-magnification)
Salination

11. IMPACTS OF WATER POLLUTION …Continued
Costs externalisation to downstream users
International obligation matters
Eutrophication
Contamination of groundwater
Siltation
Loss of community trust

12. IMPACTS OF WATER POLLUTION …Continued

14. INTERVENTIONS AND MITIGATIONS
Conduct awareness campaigns/information dissemination to various stakeholders on pollution
Issue water use licences as a management tool
Conduct audits and inspections to check compliance
Issue notices and directives for non-compliances
Withdraw water use licences and stop any water use activity
Introduction of incentive regulatory programmes – Blue & Green Drops Certification

15. INTERVENTIONS AND MITIGATIONS ....continued
DWS may also implement remedial actions on effects of pollution and recover funds from the polluter
Poor operation and maintenance of WWTW by municipalities
AMD treatment and disposal into water resources
Assist municipalities with grants for upgrading/refurbishing of WWTWs
Increase of Departmental capacity (HR)
Intensive monitoring of water services and water resources

16. END
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